Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill, has welcomed enforcement action taken by the NSW Heritage Council against the owner of the iconic Paragon Café building in Katoomba.
On May 14, the Heritage Council issued an official order under Section 120 of the Heritage Act 1977 to Sydney solicitor John Landerer, requiring him to secure the property, prevent further vandalism and trespassing, and engage a heritage consultant to assess the site.
Mr Landerer now has 14 days to secure the café and implement surveillance, and two months to provide a full heritage report outlining the work required to meet the minimum maintenance standards.
Mayor Greenhill said the order followed sustained advocacy by the Council and widespread community concern about the neglected state of the heritage-listed site.
“It was Council staff who raised the alarm, but the power to intervene has always rested with the State Government,” Mayor Greenhill said. “We welcome this long-overdue action and are grateful that the NSW Government is now heeding our calls. Council strongly supports this decision,” he said.
The Mayor also acknowledged the efforts of local MP, Trish Doyle.
“Trish Doyle has been a tireless advocate on this issue, and credit must go to her persistence in standing up for our community and our heritage,” he said.
“The owners of our historic buildings have a responsibility to care for them. Our built heritage is not just bricks and mortar, it’s part of our identity.
“Council continues to call on the State Government and private owners to urgently address the state of other key heritage sites, including the former Mount St Mary’s College and the Imperial Hotel in Mount Victoria.
“Let today’s action serve as a clear message: ownership of heritage buildings comes with an obligation to protect and preserve them.”
