Newcastle’s TAFE NSW Hunter Street campus is set for an upgrade with two historic buildings slated for restoration work in a jointly-funded project announced on Wednesday by the NSW Government.
The two buildings, heritage-listed Newcastle Technical College and Trades Hall – which were constructed between 1894 and 1896 – will be returned to their former glory as part of the Minister’s Stonework Program.
The conservation program at the buildings is jointly funded by the Minister for Finance, Services and Property’s Stonework Program and TAFE NSW.
Deputy secretary of the Department of Finance, Service and Innovation’s (DFSI’s) Property and Advisory Group, Brett Newman, said skilled government stonemasons and specialist contractors would repair and refurbish the buildings.
“Heritage buildings like the former Newcastle Technical College and Trades Hall are among our most cherished heritage treasures and should be preserved for future generations to enjoy,” Mr Newman said.
“The Minister’s Stonework Program is testament to the Government’s commitment to not only safeguarding the state’s oldest sandstone buildings but also preserving the specialist skills and expertise required to perform intricate maintenance work.
“The dedicated team of stonemasons from the Government’s Heritage Stoneworks department have the skill to craft ancient stone using traditional and modern methods.”
Sandstone harvested from a Pyrmont redevelopment site in Sydney will be used in the project.
External works will include the replacement of deteriorated sandstone, repainting of external timber joinery and windows, restoration of the facade’s terracotta tile panels, and the re-pointing of stone mortar joints.
TAFE NSW’s general manager of property and logistics, Gwendy Arnot, said: “The Minister’s Stonework Program will maintain the heritage value of TAFE NSW buildings and will ensure that students continue to have access to modern learning environments in inspiring surroundings.”
Stone will only be replaced where structural integrity has been lost and replacement stones will match the size, shape, colour and texture of original products.
Work started on the project in March and is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
