Letter to the Editor: Norman House may not look like much but beneath lies an important history

Regarding the article ‘Development Waits For Public Comment’ (07/09, Albany Advertiser), Norman House may not look like much right now, but beneath those heavy pillars and boxed-in fibro upper deck is one of the earliest examples of rare two-storey Georgian architecture in the entire State.

That’s why it was awarded heritage status by local authorities, and why it absolutely must be protected from demolition.

Behind it is Cheynes Cottage, quite possibly the oldest surviving building in Albany, and an early home to one of the city’s most prominent settlers, whose name graces many local landmarks.

When George Cheyne arrived from Scotland in the early 1830s, he was one of around 15 settlers in the town. He built the simple cottage for himself and his wife and daughter.

Later he built the house, a comparatively grand dwelling fit for a man of his stature.

Cheynes Cottage and Norman House pre-date Albany’s most treasured buildings.

Captain John Hassell, who bought the house from George Cheyne in 1865, was known to stand on the veranda with a telescope, watching the comings and goings of the harbour.

He likely watched the construction of the Old Post Office across the street with similar interest.

Hassell lived there for almost 20 years before his death — three years after that, the foundation stone was laid for Albany’s Town Hall.

The ‘too hard basket’ is no excuse for causing the destruction of this building.

There’s no doubt there is a need for affordable housing in Albany, but it should not come at the expense of important local landmarks when restoration and repurposing are not out of reach.

Norman House is neither derelict nor condemned — just sorely in need of refurbishment and restoration of its original features, by subtraction, not addition.

That need has been made greater by the neglect of the property by the very organisation now calling for its destruction.

It’s vital that a heritage impact assessment be carried out by an independent firm, not H&H Architects, the lead architectural firm on the project.

Of course, we all know money talks.

Razing the house and building six apartments on the site means also cash in hand for developers.

With a budget of $21 million, a return is clearly expected.

‘Not-for-profit’ does not equal ‘charity’.

Naturally, that begs the question, just how ‘affordable’ will this housing, in such a central location, be in the long term?

Letters to the editor must contain the author’s full name, address and daytime contact number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons. Email news@albanyadvertiser.com or post to PO Box 5168 Albany, WA, 6332.