Proposal to make Granville a heritage precinct

It’s gritty but grand and plans to make Granville a heritage precinct are under way.

Granville will become a heritage precinct if plans proceed.

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It’s gritty but grand and plans to make Granville a heritage precinct are under way.

Cumberland Council will write a report investigating whether to open heritage centre showcasing the region’s history, from its rural roots pre World War II to the melting pot it is today.

Granville library at Carlton St could be transformed into a historical hub housing artefacts when the library relocates to the multi-purpose centre in 2020.

Granville Town Hall is 131 years old. Picture: Angelo Velardo

The centre would merge historical items that were without a home when Holroyd and Auburn councils merged in 2016.

“This opens the door for the hidden treasures of Granville as a heritage precinct,’’ councillor Paul Garrard said.

South St, Granville. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“I think locals probably take it for granted but when you start looking at the history of Parramatta, or in Sydney, it’s all here in Granville because Granville was twice as big as Parramatta in the 19th century and a lot of it has been preserved.

Cumberland councillor Paul Garrard and Granville Historical Society volunteer Vince Hanley in front of the library where they want a heritage centre to open. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Prominent people lived in Granville, not necessarily Parramatta.”

Granville Historical Society said the heritage centre would house material now archived at its Enid Ave base.

Mr Naylor, 71, who grew up in Guildford and attended school in Granville, highlighted the suburb’s grand landmarks, such as the 131-year-old town hall, and grew up when housing replaced dairy and poultry farms.

Elegant terrace houses at Russell St, Granville.

“It was naturally distant from the station with the NSW housing commission put up 1400 homes after World War II,’’ he said.

“What remains of the rural land disappeared for public housing.”

An artist’s impression of Granville multi-purpose centre.

The $22 million multi-purpose centre is due to open at the Granville Youth and Community Centre site in January 2020 and will house the library, community centre and regional gallery.

Under the Parramatta Local Environment Plan 2011, a large portion of Granville town centre is classed as a conservation area.