Wollongong City Council on Monday voted to submit a draft planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure to reclassify and rezone land around Gleniffer Brae Manor House in Keiraville.
The draft planning proposal seeks to allow portions of the site to be used as an Educational Establishment by the University of Wollongong and Conservatorium of Music.
The planning proposal follows a 2009 review of the Gleniffer Brae Manor House which found it wasn’t viable as a Council-run wedding and function centre. In May 2010 Council called for expressions of interest, and in March this year the University of Wollongong was confirmed as presenting the most suitable proposal for the use of the site.
The University’s submission proposed the sale of a portion of the site to the educational facility for the development of a new Creative Arts Faculty, and to provide permanent, purpose-built space for the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.
Under the proposal, the Manor House and Sorenson Gardens would remain in Council’s ownership though the University of Wollongong would finance the upkeep of the Manor House, and the public will have access and continue to use the gardens. Council resolved the site shouldn’t be used for student accommodation, and included a buy-back provision.
“This property is an important reminder of the area’s history and it’s a place I feel very strongly about,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.
“I firmly believe public access remains an integral part of Gleniffer Brae. That said, the fact the site could be used, and improved, in a way that would benefit up-and-coming musicians, artists, performers and writers is something I take very seriously.”
The draft planning proposal will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Once reviewed, the planning proposal will go out on community consultation and public exhibition for two months before it returns before Council.
The Gleniffer Brae Manor House is a State heritage-listed building that’s on the Register of the National Trust and listed under the NSW Heritage Act. The English Tudor-style house was built in 1938-39 by Arthur Sidney Hoskins, the founder of Wollongong’s steel making industry.