The Evidence

It’s a War Memorial Hall

Did you know our Community Hall is actually a dedicated War Memorial Hall? We’ve uncovered documents proving its significance to our local war veterans and our history.

Internal correspondence reveals that Council decided to demolish our $8.5 million Memorial Hall without any consultation to the 2508 community “… mould remediation and demolition of the Community Hall, including Youth Centre, is estimated to cost $400,000. This estimate includes remediation to an open lawn space. …” (018)

Because our War Memorial is on Crown Land, the Council is legally required to prove that removing it is in the public interest and serves no “essential public purpose.”

But we know the truth, and we have the data to prove it!

Our recent community survey and research show overwhelming support for restoration, not demolition. The community wants this space preserved, respected, and utilised for generations to come. This isn’t just about a new library, it’s about preserving our War Memorial Hall!

1943 Government Gazette notice re-dedicating the Helensburgh West Mechanics Institute site as a War Memorial (Hall) — Official 1943 Government Gazette notice re-dedicating the Helensburgh West site as a War Memorial (Hall).

Historical photograph of the R.S.L. Memorial Hall Helensburgh with signage on the building facade — The R.S.L. Memorial Hall Helensburgh, photographed with its original signage on the building facade, Where the hall currently now stands.

Negligence

Our independent expert investigations show that Council roadworks on Gibbons Lane in 2008 raised the road level, burying the original kerb and gutter, resulting in an overwash effect effectively funnelling water into the subfloor areas of the main Community Hall. We have also found technical reports showing water pools in the North East corner because there is no exit point, the existing discharge being blocked by the location of the added Youth Centre. The existing sub-floor drainage leads nowhere, so water cannot escape from under the building.

Hand-drawn GT19.271 cross-section of the Helensburgh Community Centre subfloor drainage, showing a 150mm PVC pipe with no inlet for the sump pit — GT19.271 cross-section (DCP 1, view looking north): the 150mm PVC pipe turns out through the east wall, but the sump pit has no inlet and the sump pit outlet was not found.

Shockingly, internal Council documents reveal a demolition decision was made by officers behind closed doors - it was never voted on at a public council meeting, denying our community their say in this important decision.

The best news? Independent expert analysis shows we can fix these drainage issues and restore our Hall at a reasonable cost, rather than destroying a valuable community asset worth over 8.5 million dollars.

2019 technical report photographs of subfloor water tracking towards the North East corner with no exit point — 2019 technical report (16 May 2019): surface water tracks through the subfloor towards the North East corner, where there is no exit point and water pools in the swale at the lowest point.

2019 technical report photographs of exterior garden bed and west drainage pit full of water — 2019 technical report: recommends removing the exterior garden bed to create a drainage pit; the west-side pit was full of water and a dye check was recommended to trace the pipework.

Photograph of water pooling at the junction between the main hall and Youth Centre building — Water trapped at the northern wall of the main hall and the adjacent buildings where the existing discharge path is blocked and moisture accumulates at the base of the walls from rusted guttering

2019 letter from an external consultant recommending drainage engineering and floor restoration — 2019 expert recommendations from an external consultant: engage a drainage engineer to stop water ingress before floor replacement, with external works needed on the western laneway to divert groundwater.

Rusted roof gutter with holes draining water into the narrow gap between adjacent brick buildings — Adjacent buildings roof water drains directly under the hall.

Street-level photograph of Gibbons Lane beside the Community Hall brick building — Raising of Gibbons Lane in 2009 diverted additional water towards the Hall.

Elevated view of the Community Hall north-east corner beside Gibbons Lane and adjacent buildings — Reports confirm that North East corner of hall is a water trap.