Royal Oak Hotel Parramatta ready for demolition
The wrecking ball is poised to crush one of Australia’s oldest pubs but heritage advocates say they are suffering another “slap in the face’’ over the government’s approach to handling the hotel’s historical treasures.
Parramatta
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Work to demolish the Royal Oak Hotel at Parramatta to make way for the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail has started but heritage advocates are pushing for more transparency around a process to identify the pub’s historical treasures.
The State Government is required to provide a draft heritage and salvage report into the historical items housed in the now-closed pub on the corner of Church and Ross streets.
North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group and Parramatta Labor councillor Donna Davis have called for the report to be produced promptly, especially given fencing was erected today as part of the six-week demolition process.
“I think it’s simply poor form that the community is losing one of our oldest buildings and yet there’s no indication that there’s been a draft heritage and salvage report completed,’’ Cr Davis said.
“No one has any knowledge of what’s going to be salvaged from this site.
“It’s one thing to take our heritage hotel away, it’s another thing to slap us in the face and not show us the courtesy of what artefacts we’re going to retain for display.’’
The pub’s heritage features include pressed metal ceilings and fireplaces, which Cr Davis said could open a Pandora’s box of original heritage items concealed during renovations.
“It would not always be the items that are visibly obvious,’’ she said.
She said the government was being disrespectful to Lorraine George and her family who are sixth-generation descendants of Sirius First Fleeter William Tunks, whose son John built the Royal Oak, originally named the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle, in 1823.
Author Gary Carter says convict John Metcalf established it as an inn in 1813 before Tunks built and ran what was one of Australia’s oldest pubs.
Cr Davis said: “There’s a perception that there’s no consideration of how important that building is to the community.
“It’s so disrespectful that we not only take it away but we don’t have a transparent process that shows us what they’re doing.’’
However, a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said it acknowledged the local heritage significance of the Royal Oak Hotel.
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She said, under the Planning Department’s conditions, the Heritage Archival Recording and Salvage Report for the hotel would be shared with stakeholders including the Department of Premier and Cabinet – Heritage NSW, the NSW Heritage Council, Parramatta Council and local historical societies.
“Materials identified for salvage by the heritage specialist will be removed prior to demolition,’’ she said.
“Consultation with the City of Parramatta Council is taking place to establish suitable repository locations.”
The pub was originally slated to shut on Australia Day but it was pushed back to February.
The hotel has local heritage significance but is not listed under the state heritage category.
There is a slight glimmer of hope for history lovers.
The pub’s former Cobb & Co stabling yards, which were used when horse racing was held at Parramatta Park, will remain at the rear of the building.
