Bondi Mill Hill boot factory fate determined by Sydney Eastern Planning Panel
The powerful Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel has determined the fate of the heritage-listed boot factory at Mill Hill, Bondi which council wants to transform into a $5.3 million community centre.
Wentworth Courier
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The powerful Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel has determined the fate of the heritage-listed boot factory at Mill Hill, Bondi which council wants to transform into a $5.3 million community centre.
Waverley council’s application for the 27-33 Spring Street site was approved and construction is slated to begin by mid next year and be completed by October 2021.
Mayor Paula Masselos said the approval for the boot factory development, which is next door to the Mill Hill community centre, came days after council took further steps towards appointing a head contractor to the nearby Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation Project.
“It’s been a significant week for the protection of heritage in Waverley,” Mayor Masselos said.
“The boot factory restoration is one of the council’s key projects for 2020 and aligns with the commitment I made to the residents of Waverley when I was elected to ensure that our council continues to restore and retain our heritage buildings for innovative future uses for the community.”
Highlights of the redevelopment include a giant skylight, beautification of the Norman Lee Place courtyard and a backlit metal “Boot Factory” sign to pay homage to its history which dates back to 1892 when it was built by William Sidaway and Son.
In its heyday, the factory made high-end leather shoes for the likes of David Jones.
Council plan to use the new facility as a Knowledge and innovation Hub which will host exhibitions, workshops, community meetings, conferences, fundraising events and council meetings.
However the exterior of the building, which council last restored more than 30 years ago in 1986, will remain largely unaltered.
The factory has been vacant since 2007 and in 2013, council had to stabilise it by way of significant structural works.
The mayor said council will now search for a lead contractor and also consider business case work on the Knowledge and Innovation Hub concept in June before making decisions on whether and how to advance that part of the proposal.
“Our intention is to return the Boot Factory to a community and council building that will include a knowledge and innovation hub where we can nurture ideas to further transform Waverley into a ‘smart city’ of the future.
“We are now one step closer to fulfilling this vision for the Boot Factory, which over the years, has served as a base for community services and organisations including the Inventors Association of Australia. For it to be transformed into a hub for innovation once more is exciting.
“The Boot Factory and Bondi Pavilion are such important buildings in the history of Waverley and our restoration of both will ensure they are preserved for future generations.
Meanwhile at Bondi Pavilion, work is finally due to start mid-next month and take around 18 months to complete.
Works on the Bondi Junction Cycleway and Streetscape Project in Spring St, Bondi Junction, will also be completed well before construction begins on the Boot Factory restoration.