Background

The Emerald Hills site, like surrounding areas, has a history of Aboriginal occupation, European settlement and agricultural purposes. The St Andrews Home for Boys was established in 1934 on site and was used in various capacities until 1987. These buildings were not heritage listed and have been lawfully demolished. However, it became apparent during the rezoning process that they are considered by architectural groups to be an important example of the Sydney School of Architecture, designed by Phillip Cox. It is appropriate that the architecture and various previous uses of the site are interpreted within the new Emerald Hills residential development.

The following documents were prepared to inform the rezoning of the Emerald Hills site, and should be referred to as part of the preparation of the Heritage Interpretation Strategy as outlined below:

• Historical Heritage Assessment: St Andrew’s Home for Boys, 1100-1150 Camden Valley Way, Leppington, prepared by AHMS (Final Report), dated February 2013.
• Aboriginal Heritage Preliminary Assessment: Emerald Hills Estate, Leppington, prepared by AHMS (Final Report), dated February 2013.
• Photographic Archival Record: St Andrews boys Home (Burnside) Leppington, prepared by Inspire Urban Design and Planning, dated 4 February 2013.

Objectives

1. To ensure that the Aboriginal and European land uses and the Sydney School of Architecture style of the former St Andrews’ Boys Home (now demolished) are interpreted and incorporated where possible into the public domain of Emerald Hills.

Controls

1. A Heritage Interpretation Strategy must be prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced heritage consultant which identifies the key stories associated with the site, its varying owners, associations and evolving users over time. Some examples of key people would include Thurawal, Dharug and Gundungurra Aboriginal peoples, the Cubbitch Barta clan, early colonial settlers and farming families such as those of Cordeaux, Edwards, Ward, Gaudry, Kable, Chisholm, Moore, William and Florence Price, the Presbyterian/Uniting Church/Burnside Homes (St Andrews School for Boys) and architects Philip Cox and Ian McKay.
2. The Heritage Interpretation Strategy must be submitted for Council approval as part of the Development Application for the park shown in C68 in the site of the former St Andrews School site. It should include an implementation plan with prioritised actions that identify specific locations and recommended means of interpretation that will be integrated into the park. These might include structures, artworks, plaques, sculptures, installations, street tree selection and treatment, landscaping which is themed on past uses,), open space designs and treatments, and place names.