Goulburn apartments and convention centre good to go

The project, including a four-storey convention centre, 96 serviced apartments and 17 residential villas, is recommended for approval at tomorrow night’s council meeting.

It will also involve demolition of 11 buildings on the 12,600 square metre property, but restoration of Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and an administration building (former convent).

On Friday, developer Nicholas Daoud welcomed the recommendation.

“It’s taken a lot of time to get to this point, especially on the heritage,” he said.

“We are already putting things in place to start immediately because of the continuing vandalism…They are even taking bricks out of the fences.”

Mr Daoud has appointed a caretaker to help stem the damage.

He bought the former Catholic school last March for an undisclosed sum. The Antioch Orthodox Church member committed to keeping key religious buildings while developing a viable enterprise.

Mr Daoud has also built the Vantage apartments in Wollongong and many other residential projects in NSW and Queensland.

The first stage involves a two-lot subdivision, construction of the 17 villas and townhouses on the site’s northern side and demolition of 11 buildings. These include a study hall, the ‘Mother Gabriel wing’, the science block, former Sisters of Mercy accommodation and the EC Manfred designed St John’s wing.

The Goulburn Heritage Group was disappointed about the St John’s demolition but acknowledged it was “much damaged and altered, so its retention is admittedly impractical.”

“It is extremely satisfying to see that the chapel and convent are to be kept and well maintained – and to see the two-storey townhouses face Bourke St,” the group’s submission stated.

Council’s heritage advisor Louise Thom concluded that the project was acceptable on heritage grounds but made eight recommendations related to conservation.

Stage two includes the two buildings’ restoration and construction of the convention centre, 96 serviced apartments and basement car parking on the Clinton St frontage.

Mr Daoud believes there’s plenty of demand.

“From our research, the proximity to Auburn St will encourage a lot of people of advanced age to invest because of the easy walk to the CBD,” he said.

He expected the project’s first stage to take six months but said this work could run in tandem with some of stage two.

Part of a historic brick fence lining the property on the Bourke St side will be demolished, along with a section on Clinton St. But the part wrapping around the convent and chapel will be kept.

Extensive landscaping is also proposed across the site.

“It’s a balanced development and something really unique for Goulburn,” Mr Daoud said.

“People can call me too adventurous but I believe in the place.”