Wollongong City Council tonight approved a report starting a process that may eventually see Gleniffer Brae Manor House and Sorenson Gardens leased to the University of Wollongong and the sale of a smaller portion of the site that used to house SCEGGS School to the University of Wollongong.
Wollongong City Council Administrator, Col Gellatly AO said that the proposal is subject to a number of consultations with the community and approvals including the reclassification of rezoning of part of the land.
“In May last year Council called for Expressions of Interest for the possible sale or lease of Gleniffer Brae.”
“Key criteria in the Expression of Interest assessment included; maintaining the heritage items and values of the site, ensuring the continued tenancy of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, who currently lease part of Gleniffer Brae from Council, ensuring ongoing community access to the Manor House and ongoing integration with the Wollongong Botanic Garden.”
“We wish to assure the community that Gleniffer Brae Manor House and Sorenson Gardens will remain in Council ownership,” Administrator Gellatly added.
Details of the University of Wollongong’s full proposal for the site can be downloaded from the university website. It includes the construction of a new Creative Arts faculty on the site of the existing old SCEGGS classrooms, a new function facility on the site of the existing auditorium and a new carpark below the northern terrace
The University proposes to manage the Manor House for functions.
As part of the process of reclassification and rezoning of the land Council will consult with the Heritage Branch of the NSW Department of Planning and any Development Application on Gleniffer Brae will also need their support.
Two on-site community information sessions will be held to provide an opportunity for members of the community to tour the Manor House and gardens, find out more about the proposal and understand the process that will be followed.
The first is a ticketed open day organised by the National Trust as part of heritage week on 1 May, 2011. The second will be a free on-site community kiosk on 7 May (TBC), 2011. Representatives from Council and the university will attend both sessions.