Fisher’s Ghost Restaurant could be saved by Campbelltown Council
Campbelltown Council is making another bid — and possibly its final chance — to save the former Kendall’s Millhouse in Queen St.
Macarthur
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CAMPBELLTOWN Council is making another bid — and possibly its final chance — to save the former Kendall’s Millhouse in Queen St.
More commonly known as Fisher’s Ghost Restaurant, the 1845 building (pictured) has been left to deteriorate since a fire damaged it in March 2005.
The council’s heritage protection subcommittee moved at its November meeting that a report be presented to council outlining options for the protection and preservation of the former Fisher’s Ghost Restaurant building.
It also wants assistance to list the item on the State Heritage Register.
The subcommittee noted the council’s strategic planner’s ongoing frustration over the building’s decline.
“Council has no legal ability to compel a private owner to appropriately maintain a local listed heritage item,” the minutes said.
Council planning director Jeff Lawrence said in a Macarthur Chronicle article in 2010 the council had done everything it could, within the constraints of the law, to safeguard the building.
He said representations to the State Government to give councils more power to ensure the conservation of heritage items of local significance were unsuccessful. The 2400sq m site includes the historic house and two vacant buildings.
Owner Dr Nirmla Taluja said she had a concept plan for a 10-storey building for the site, incorporating aged care and medical services.
“I need council’s support. I want to create something that is heritage- and town-important,” Dr Taluja said.
WHAT: Fisher’s Ghost Restaurant (formerly Kendall’s Millhouse)
ORIGINS: Established in 1845 as a steam millhouse, connections to the Kendall family (poet Henry Kendall), Mawson family (Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson) and Bocking family (Campbelltown mayor James Bocking)
NOW: The site had been on the market since October 2007 for more than $3 million. It is believed it was taken off the market about 12 months ago. The old mill/restaurant is in very poor condition and some say restoration would cost up to $500,000
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