Sydney’s Sandstones should be icons: TTF

Sydney’s Sandstones should be icons: TTF
By Hannah Edensor


Sydney’s Planning and Education buildings on Bridge St, known as the Sandstones, deserve to be restored, according to Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF is urging the Greens to rethink their opposition to using these iconic buildings as tourism assets, instead bidding for them to be repurposed as high end hotels to ensure their preservation for generations.

TTF’s chief executive Margy Osmond said the Greens’ approach will deny Sydney of the chance to see unique tourism facilities developed within these buildings.

“If we support significant developments such as these, we will continue to see those jobs supported and new jobs created,” Osmond said.

“Not only that, but the more people we attract to Sydney, the more money those visitors pump into the entire economy spending money on accommodation, attractions, transport, restaurants and retail.

“There are numerous examples of how these redevelopments can be done in a way that is respectful of the buildings original heritage but also exciting and innovative.”

The visitor economy plays a crucial role in New South Wales’ economy, with tourism supporting more than 267,000 jobs in the state, with 158,000 of these directly.

This essentially adds up to almost 1 in every 14 jobs being dependent on a strong visitor economy.

And Osmond says the track record of restored historic buildings speaks for itself.

“In Sydney, the Intercontinental, itself a sandstone building, has set the bar,” she said.

“The hotel has modern rooms and facilities, but also beautifully restored historic function rooms like the Premier’s Room but the highlight is the atrium and café that celebrates the original building and is open to the public.

“The Greens say they are vocal supporters of the tourism industry – one of the most sustainable industries in Australia – if that is true, they should support this development.

“It is ill considered political headline grabbing to reject a use for these cultural buildings that is all about jobs.”

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