The CFMEU has reached an agreement with the NSW Government on the preservation of heritage of Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace.
The union is aware that government contractors have begun work on dismantling the non-heritage aspects of the building.
Both St George's Terrace and Willow Grove were originally earmarked for complete demolition.
The successful Green Ban, in alliance with the North Parramatta Residents Action Group, forced the NSW Government to the table which resulted in St George's Terrace being incorporated into the design of the new building. Prior to the Green Ban's imposition the NSW Government was determined to carry out its plan of destruction. That has been reversed.
Willow Grove has been saved from being lost forever, with an agreement now reached to allow the move of the villa to another appropriate location in Parramatta. The Union, like the Community, had preferred for the villa to remain where it is currently.
The conditions upon which this agreement was reached includes the establishment of a Committee to oversight the dismantling, re-location, re-build and re-use of the villa and ongoing maintenance. The villa will be kept in public hands, funded and utilised for the community of Parramatta.
The CFMEU NSW will ensure that the dismantling process is undertaken in accordance with best-practice heritage conservation, and that it must be rebuilt at a location to be chosen with the local Parramatta community and stakeholders as soon as possible.
The CFMEU will continue to support the community in their ongoing work to preserve the heritage of Parramatta.
State Secretary Darren Greenfield, "In unprecedented times, the imposition of the Green Ban has saved both these important buildings. When we announced the ban, both were to be entirely destroyed, this result this week means both buildings are saved for the community of Parramatta and forever stand as an important part of heritage; but more importantly they are symbols of the power in workers and the community coming together for community good."
The union will continue to hold the government to account on its commitment to preserve the building of Willow Grove and rebuild it at a new location to be enjoyed by the people of Western Sydney and NSW.
This campaign to save Willow Grove and St George's Terrace will remain an important part of the heritage and story of Parramatta that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
