I have recently attended a presentation made about the proposals of Shore School for restoration and additions to the buildings and site at Graythwaite, North Sydney.
Presentations were made by the architect, landscape expert, the Chairman of the Shore Council and the Headmaster.
The school has bent over backwards to consult the residents, Council and all other authorities, including Heritage in order to comply with their wishes and all regulations.
The plans are developed to keep the old historical buildings in original appearance, and keep plenty of open space, restore some gardens to their original plantings, as well as keeping any new development in a pleasing and tasteful state.
I strongly support the approval of their plans.
Yours faithfully,
G.G. Wilcox

This proposal will see a magnificent heritage building, which has been shamefully neglected by the state government for many years, restored to its former glory with a real and useful ongoing purpose. The proposed new buildings will enhance the educational opportunites for students at one of Australia'a leading schools and at the same time ensure that a signifcant green space remains in North Sydney. The whole concept plan has been carefully and senistively devised to ensure maximum retention of the heritage values of the site with minimal impact on the neighbouring properties. It should be approved immediately to minimise further deterioration of the old house.

This Project Application represents an excellent outcome for the School and wider communities. It will ensure the preservation of a most significant element of the National Heritage and give it a renewed useful life; it will preserve a large green space within five kilometres of the city centre.It will also provide the School with opportunities for development of new educational facilities to enhance the educational options for its student body and maintain Shore as one of Australia's leading Schools.

I am supportive of the latest development plans for the Graithwaite site and home, submitted by the Shore School. It is clear that sucessive previous owners and custodians of the site have allowed the buildings and grounds to fall into a shocking state of disrepair
The proposal to restore the Graithwaite mansion will preserve this significant building for the enjoyment of future generations. As I understand it the building wll be made available for community use on a merit basis, and this seems to be a way of preserving the building for the entire community to enjoy. .
The proposal to demolish some terrible outbuildings on the site, and to erect state of the art teaching facilities does not appear to compromise the restoration project or the visability or accessibility of the mansion, and clearly puts the whole site into productive use in the community.

The School's proposal is a great outcome for a beautiful heritage building which has been scandalously left to rot by the State government, with the connivance of North Sydney Council. The school will restore it to its former glory and give it a useful ongoing life. The lmited future building proposals ensure that a large green space remains in North Sydney and will provide enhanced educational opportunities for the students of one of Australia's leading schools. The impact on the the neighbours is absolutley minimal. The project should be approved immediately to minimise further damage.

I fully endorse the conservation and resoration proposal by Shore School for Graythwaite as it will ensure the long term preservation of this culturally significant buidling and its environs. It is evident that decades of neglect and poor maintenance have contributed to the deterioration of the building's interior, exterior and the landscaping. I understand that there is no intention to increase student numbers at the school and that greatly needed improveed teaching facilities can be accommodated on the site without destroying the views or imposing on neighbours. Further delays will cause more harm to the building and increase the infestation of weeds and other non-endemic species. Shore provides boarding for many students who do not reside in Sydney and at present there is limited recreational facilities for the students. The parkland setting will provide an environmentally sustainable and friendly teacihng space for many students who ahve not spent a lot of time away from Sydney in the bush or forest areas. Having examined the display photographs of the proposed develpment I believe that it is sensitive and appropriate in suiting the needs of 21st educational needs and the conservation and restoration of this building.

I support the submission

I wish to advise my support for this proposal and plan for Graythwaite. This property is of major historical and cultural significance, and must be preserved for the future. The building alone is worthy of restoration, but seen in its proposed setting, is enhanced and its utility vastly increased. The whole area will benefit from this proposal, and it will be a valuable addition to the built environment of Greater Sydney.

The proposal appears to me to be the best solution available for this historic site - a long established school with the wherewithal to resotre the home to a useful facility while preserving its historic features.

i SUPPPORT THE PROPOSAL BY SHORE SCHOOLFOR GRAYTHWAITE