23/1/04
The future of heritage listed Raffles Hotel in Applecross and the Aberdeen Hotel and St John's Building in Northbridge has been secured.
Heritage Minister Tom Stephens said that Heritage Agreements between the hotels' owners and the Heritage Council of WA would ensure the protection and conservation of both places.
"It is especially pleasing that agreements on these buildings have been reached as we enter the Year of the Built Environment," Mr Stephens said.
"The Raffles Hotel agreement will do more than just ensure the heritage values of this landmark Art Deco building are retained, it will be restored to its former glory as part of a redevelopment of the site.
"It requires the owner, Multiplex Raffles Pty Ltd, to carry out a schedule of conservation works and prepare a conservation plan to guide future management of the place.
"This includes retention of all existing original fabric on the site as well as conservation and enhancement of the building's setting and surrounds.
"This is a significant achievement given that the Raffles Hotel was to be demolished in an original proposal for re-development of the site.
"The Heritage Agreement was a condition of the Heritage Council's support for the Raffles Hotel re-development in 2002.
"The agreement is made in perpetuity so that any future owners will be required to continue the maintenance and conservation of the hotel."
Mr Stephens said the Heritage Agreement developed for the Aberdeen Hotel and St John's Building was also important in ensuring that the buildings' heritage values were retained.
"The Aberdeen Hotel building has been in continuous use as a public house for 115 years serving as an important social focus for successive inner city communities," he said.
"The adjoining St John's Building, which has since been incorporated into the hotel, was constructed in 1898.
"Together, the buildings are an important landmark in an area which is undergoing significant rejuvenation.
"As part of the agreement, the new owner, Murfett and Co has agreed to undertake conservation works within a specified time.
"The owner will also develop a maintenance plan to guide the long term care and management of the place.
"The Heritage Agreement, which was a condition of the recent sale of the building by the State Government, provides certainty for the owners as to the requirements of the Heritage Council."
Heritage Agreements are legally binding contracts, which may sometimes include incentives in return for guaranteeing the conservation of a place. There are currently 52 such agreements in Western Australia.
The Raffles Hotel was entered in the State Register of Heritage Places on a permanent basis on January 22, 2002, while the Aberdeen Hotel and St John's Building was permanently listed on May 9, 2003.
More information is available from the Heritage Council's website, http://www.heritage.wa.gov.au.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
