Plans to make historic Bronte House heritage item under way

A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been finalised for Bronte House, giving recommendations for the ongoing use and care of the historic location.

Dating back to 1845, Bronte House is the oldest known residence in the Waverley LGA, as well as one of Australia’s few surviving colonial residencies.

Currently owned and managed by Waverley Council, the site is being leased as a private residence to publisher Matthew Hanbury and his wife Clare Hanbury. Previously, Bronte House was occupied by renowned restaurant critic Leo Schofield until 2004.

Waverley Labor Councillor Paula Masselos argued that council must consider the long-term implications of the recommendations outlined in the CMP before putting them into effect.

“We need to be very clear about the intent of a number of recommendations before we go any further,” she said.

“We need to [consider] the future of the house so it stays in the hands of the community and keeps its integrity as an important historical home.”

Cr Masselos also questioned the Plan’s proposal to potentially commercialise Bronte House.

“[The CMP] includes the recommendation to turn Bronte House into a bed-and-breakfast if we can’t find tenants, and the commercialisation of a historic home like that has serious concerns,” she said.

Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak expressed concerns over the Plan’s failure to consider the values of an indigenous relationship with the land on which Bronte House stands.

“Heritage items need a guiding document to help protect their unique qualities. It also should allow public input into heritage protection, but I am disappointed that the CMP did not investigate the Aboriginal heritage values attached to Bronte House and its grounds,” he argued.

“I believe this does not properly fulfill the Burra Charter for Heritage Protection and I intend to make my views known to the NSW Heritage Council.”

A decision regarding the approval of the CMP was deferred at the May 6 Waverley Council operations meeting with a councillor workshop to be held before the CMP application is determined.

Clive Lucas Stapleton and Partners, the architectural and heritage consultancy firm responsible for putting together the Plan could not be reached for comment.

A draft CMP will be submitted today in an application to the Office of Environment and Heritage as a preliminary step towards the approval of Bronte House as a heritage item.