Please
circulate this information and lend some support by sending off some lobbying
emails. Print out copies of the flyer Poster for ATP’s Blacksmithshop Open Day – 17th August 2008 for the open day and distribute
in your neighborhood. Come to the emergency open day on Sunday 17 August 10-3
and have a tour of the
largest and
most
integral collection of steam powered blacksmithing equipment remaining in the
world.
Speakers at noon will include representatives from Wrought Artworks, Government,
Council, Trade Unions, an ex worker and an apprentice
blacksmith.
This
remaining link with the history of this nationally significant heritage site is
now under threat with Wrought
Artworks – the self-funding operators of 17 years being served with a given
notice to quit the site by the 30th September from the
Redfern-Waterloo-Authority and the Australian Technology
Park.
The
current Planning Minister, Frank Sartor & the CEO of RWA, Robert Domm are
blatantly ignoring the original Development Consent Conditions (under the
Environmental Planning Application Act)
for the Development of the site. In which it is stipulated that because of the
exceptional significance of the machinery collection the Blacksmithing Workshop
operated by Guido Gouverneur was to remain a long-term feature of the
site.
Not
only is this one of the few original in tact locations left of the Eveleigh Rail
yards (along with the Erecting Shop) with working equipment, it is providing
services for the restoration of Sydney’s heritage metalwork. With training to
industry in a country of severe skill shortages – their are currently four young
people at varying levels of their apprenticeships.
The nexus between built fabric, function and heritage training
must
not be allowed to be severed.
The
former workers of Eveleigh and the many groups connected with protecting its
heritage are helping with the campaign to stop the State Government destroying
this unique heritage treasure. We ask you to spare some time and go to the links
below for more information and send off some emails to people listed in the
‘People to Lobby’ section. If you know anyone
that will be pro-actively sympathetic please email them. Especially
Hon. Peter
Garrett – Minister for Environment, Heritage and the
Arts:
Email: minister.office@environment.gov.au
Remember:
it is the right of the people and fundamental to democracy to know what their
Government and those acting on their behalf are doing. www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/atp/blacksmith
Watch
the 10-minute documentary link demonstrating the
Wrought Artworks blacksmiths at work in a remnant
of Australia’s greatest industrial cathedral of all
time:
