Some history about The Rocks
The Rocks in Sydney was first earmarked for demolition in 1901 following the outbreak of Bubonic Plague around the foreshore areas. In an attempt to improve wharfage facilities and provide improved rental accommodation for local residents who were employed in waterside industries the government began to buy foreshore land.
Some of the proposed wharf schemes, including Walsh, Jones and Woolloomooloo bays, were completed and still remain, but the wholesale demolitions were delayed during the 20th century due to the World Wars and the Great Depression.
High-rise plans
In the 1960s new schemes were formulated to transform The Rocks into a sea of high-rise towers and the National Trust was asked to nominate historic buildings in the area it considered worthy of preservation.
Only one was deemed to be worth keeping, Cadman’s Cottage built in 1816. Even then, it was advised it could be dismantled and re-erected in a park out of the way of the new development.
But as many models and proposals were circulated, a growing awareness developed in the community that places such as The Rocks were an important part of the Nation's built heritage.
The final scheme was exhibited in the Argyle Stores in 1971 and sparked major protests from the local community. The Rocks Residents Action Group, led by the late Nita McRae, contacted the Builders Labourers Federation via its secretary Jack Mundey to try and halt the proposal.
Green bans to save our heritage
What resulted was the imposition of Green Bans on any redevelopment in the area, which prevented any demolition until a compromise could be arranged. Those bans essentially saved The Rocks.
As a result, all buildings north of the Cahill Expressway were to be retained, conserved and restored as commercial tenancies. Residents who were moved out of the terraces in George, Playfair and Atherden streets were rehoused in the Sirius Building, the newly constructed block of housing units in Cumberland St overlooking The Rocks and the harbour.
The Green Bans also had far reaching political repercussions. In 1975 the Australian Heritage Commission Act was passed following the Commission of Inquiry into the National Estate. This Act set about the identification and protection of both built and natural items considered of importance to the people of Australia.
Within two years the NSW Government passed the NSW Heritage Act 1977 which is still considered one of the strongest legislative controls for managing heritage items in the world.
Indigenous cultural remains are protected under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. To date, however, little evidence of occupation by the Cadigal of Sydney Harbour has been uncovered in archaeological works in The Rocks.
