Lifeline for heritage blacksmith shop

Visitors went on guided tours of the operational heritage blacksmiths shop and showed their support for the ongoing operation of Wrought Artworks and heritage operations on the site.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, and other politicians also voiced their support for the working blacksmith shop to continue at the site after they were threatened with eviction in April this year.

The open day was organised after the Redfern and Waterloo Authority (RWA) and ATP issued Wrought Artworks, the current occupants of the Blacksmith’s shop, with a Notice to Quit earlier this year.

Proprietor of Wrought Artworks Guido Gouverneur said the original development approval (DA) for the establishment of the Australian Technology Park was based on agreements between railway workers, their unions and the NSW Government to maintain working heritage technology at the site along with new technology.

To fulfill these provisions for the preservation of heritage on the site the government’s DA for the establishment of the ATP specifically referred to the occupancy of Wrought Artworks in the blacksmith’s shop not as a tenant but as a condition of the approval, he said.

After huge community support, Mr Gouverneur has been offered a two year lease, at $50 a year from the State Rail Authority. However, Mr Gouverneur is still waiting for his eviction notice to be withdrawn.

“It’s not ideal. I’m still under duress of an eviction notice, that they have not rescinded,” Mr Gouverneur said.

Trying to force out the blacksmiths has brought out into the open the original arrangements, according to Mr Gouverneur.

Prior to the open day, discussions started between RWA/ATP and Wrought Artworks about the terms of a new lease.

While the Notice to Quit has not been withdrawn, there are negotiations for a lease which will allow Wrought Artworks to continue to operate its business from the site and to continue the operation of the heritage equipment.

“I have put so much effort and money into making the workshop work again in a safe condition,” Mr Gouverneur said.

The well-known blacksmith has been at the yards since 1991, and since that time has worked on the restoration of the city’s iron heritage.

Source: City News www.alternativemediagroup.com/ThreadView.aspx?tid=8385#post_8385