<< Peninsula News 17 December 2002 - Comment sought on listing store and hall>>

Comment sought on listing store and hall

The Wagstaffe store and the Woy Woy Masonic Hall are to be placed on exhibition to determine whether or not they should be listed as heritage items.

The owner of the Wagstaffe store asked, at a recent council meeting, that it not become a heritage listed item as he had insurance concerns and a listing would de-value his property.

Ms Fay Gunther of the Pretty Beach, Wagstaffe and District Progress association asked that the store be included on the heritage list.

"By heritage listing the store, (council) would ensure the preservation of the last remaining coastal village," Ms Gunther said.

"It should not become a development site.

"Where many other small businesses have failed, Wagstaffe store has thrived as part of a tourist attraction."

Cr Lynne Bockholt said: "I agree with the progress association on this.

"I would hate to see that store developed."

Cr Craig Doyle said: "The bottom line is that this is an important part of the village character and I'm sorry that the owner objects so strongly to its heritage listing."

Cr Tony Sansom pointed out that it was council policy not to list heritage items if the owner objects to the listing.

Owners of the Masonic Hall said that if the hall was heritage listed, improvements to the structure could not be made and the building would lose capital value.

It was also said that only the front part of the building was original and that extensions to the rear were made in 1970-71.

Jonathan Reichard, Council agenda DH.150, December 10