National Trust News

Catch up on the latest heritage and advocacy news from across the State. Read about the inspiring restorations at Miss Porter's House, Norman Lindsay Gallery and Cooma Cottage. Stay current with the National Trust's advocacy on Warragamba Dam, the protection of significant trees and the audit of heritage oversight in New South Wales.

We’re delighted to announce the exterior of Miss Porter’s House in Newcastle has been restored to its former glory. For the first time in 50 years, all of the intricate verandah ironwork is in place, and the restoration team has fixed the verandah flooring so the space can now be accessed by visitors. The house's bullnose roof has also been replaced. Miss Porter’s House was built by the Porter family in 1909 and has been in the National Trust’s care since 1997. We like to think the original Porter family would be proud of the results.

Thanks to a generous member donation, the rejuvenation of the pool area at Norman Lindsay Gallery is well underway. The stonemason has re-instated the original walking track and the National Trust's Bush Management Team has cleared the stone terraces, which now look like they did when Lindsay built the pool in 1920. Member donations to the landscape appeal have also funded the removal of dying vegetation to make way for new shrubs and trees, breathing fresh new life into the gallery's gardens.

This April marks 150 years since the death of Australianborn explorer Hamilton Hume at Cooma Cottage near Yass. Best known for opening up the first overland route from Sydney to Port Philip, Hume bought the property and 100 surrounding acres in 1840. Thanks to our generous members and donors, the National Trust has recently raised $150,000 to restore the historic homestead. Work will soon commence to replace the roof on the Coachman’s cottage, restore wooden shutters, paint and repair walls and install new lighting.

The National Trust has lodged a submission to WaterNSW's Preferred Infrastructure report on the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall. The report does not adequately consider the project's entire heritage and environmental impacts, which would irreversibly diminish the natural and cultural values of the Blue Mountains. The National Trust has recognised the extraordinary significance of the Blue Mountains since the early 1970s, listing various parts of the Blue Mountains as Landscape Conservation Areas, and we will continue to fight to protect this special place.

This year the National Trust has formed a Significant Trees Working Group to assess New South Wales tree nominations to the national register, Trust Trees. The register is an organic list that constantly evolves as some trees die or require removal and new trees are registered. It currently features more than 2,500 significant Australian trees. The register helps raise awareness about the significance of these trees and contributes to their protection.

The Audit Office of NSW is currently conducting an audit to assess how effectively the Department of Planning and Environment (Heritage NSW) is overseeing and administering heritage assets of State significance. The National Trust has been briefed on the audit and has prepared a detailed submission. This is a significant audit and has the potential to lead to improved heritage outcomes for the State. We look forward to reading the findings, which are scheduled to be tabled in June.