Inside scheme to entice new Mackay Commonwealth Bank building investors

Many refuse to give up on resurrecting Mackay’s abandoned heritage-listed building despite fresh vandalism. Read how they plan to attract new investors.

The old Commonwealth Bank building at 63 Victoria Street is in a state of disrepair. Picture: Heidi Petith

Broken windows are the newest features on an abandoned building that has become an eyesore in the Mackay CBD but many are refusing to give up on a resurrection.

The heritage-listed site at 63 Victoria St is piled with bird poo and wrapped in steel mesh fencing but members of the Character and Heritage Advisory Committee are scheming a new plan to kickstart its restoration.

The derelict heritage-listed building at 63 Victoria St in Mackay CBD was recently vandalised with two broken glass panels. The front door was also open and the steel fencing was ajar. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mackay Regional Councillor Fran Mann said members — who met shortly before the death of the building’s owner Graeme Arman in September — had a vision to entice him or perhaps a new investor to restart renovation works.

“Instead of that horrible temporary fencing, we could have signage that shows what (the building) used to look like,” Cr Mann said.

A rare glimpse inside the abandoned heritage-listed former Commonwealth Bank building with the front entrance adorned with pigeon poo. Picture: Heidi Petith

She said displaying its former glory could appeal to investors considering trying to buy the heritage-listed building in a package deal with the next-door vacant premise on the corner of Victoria St and Sydney St.

The potential bidder would have to convince a Haliday Bay-based investor to sell his 65 Victoria St building that once housed Lone Star Rib House and before it, Outback Jacks.

Mackay Regional Councillor Fran Mann says making the exterior of the derelict old Commonwealth Bank more attractive could entice new investors. Picture: Heidi Petith

“Wouldn’t that be an amazing hotel site?” Cr Mann said.

“And then you could have a cut-through, if you can, into the old Commonwealth (Bank) building.

“It could be a restaurant, it could be a brewery, so we’re looking at trying to see if we could promote along those lines.

“And because it’s part of the (Waterfront) Priority Development Area as well, there might be someone that thinks, ‘Gee, that’s a really good idea, I want to get in on that’.”

The exemption certificate that permitted Mr Arman to continue restoration works on the old bank expired on August 2, shortly before he died.

The heritage-listed building at 63 Victoria St is an eyesore in the Mackay CBD. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mayor Greg Williamson, speaking before he knew of his death, said the council was not considering offering to buy the building after contemplating it three years ago when the asking price surpassed its actual value.

“There will obviously be fresh opportunity now to talk to the executers of Mr Arman’s estate about what they see as the future of the building,” Cr Williamson said.

“And we would definitely like the opportunity to do that and that’s what we would be seeking to do.

“With the first stake in the ground for Waterfront Priority Development Area having been announced, there’s no doubt this iconic building in its current state in the middle of our city is an embarrassment we would like to have a resolution on.”

The derelict heritage-listed building at 63 Victoria St in Mackay CBD was recently vandalised with the steel fencing left ajar as well as the front door. Picture: Heidi Petith

Cr Williamson said the council had no legislative authority over the private building unless there were safety issues.

“They’ve got guardrails around it, people can’t access it, therefore it’s not unsafe in terms of (the) public,” he said.

He said the situation reminded him of the privately-owned Lambert’s building.

“It is almost in a similar state of disrepair, only it’s not quite that visible from the street but internally it’s falling down and we can’t do anything about that either,” Cr Williamson said.

“I’d love to have the power to be able to say, ‘your building’s breaking down and if you don’t work on it, we’ll start putting up your rates every year by a certain amount’.

“But we can’t do that, we can only apply rate increases across a broad section of particular streets so you can’t single out a property.”

Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall says there is more the council can do to protect heritage-listed buildings in the city. Picture: Heidi Petith

Sugar City Art Deco and Modernist Society chairman Nicholas McDougall said while it was true the council was bound when it came to enforcing upkeep on privately-owned buildings, there were alternative solutions.

“The council doesn’t have any dedicated resources to heritage,” Mr McDougall said.

He said privately-owned buildings such as the old Commonwealth Bank Building and Lamberts as well as council-owned properties including the Memorial Pool and Mirani Railway Station would all benefit from the introduction of a heritage levy.

“The burden would be carried across everybody in Mackay to protect and preserve the fantastic buildings that we have here,” Mr McDougall said.

Vandals have smashed two glass windows at the old Commonwealth Bank building. Picture: Heidi Petith

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said Mr Arman had not lodged an application for another exemption certificate before he died.

The last confirmed works at the old bank took place in February when debris was cleared from the interior and unsecured openings were sealed.

The DES spokesman said they would continue negotiations with Imnau Holdings Pty Ltd “at an appropriate time”.

“Under the Queensland Heritage Act, owners of state heritage-listed places are responsible for their management and preservation and the Act can require owners to undertake certain minor repairs and maintenance works to prevent damage or deterioration to these places,” the DES spokesman said.

Originally published as Inside scheme to entice new Mackay Commonwealth Bank building investors