TIME TO CELEBRATE - THE LAWSON COMMUNITY HALL (MECHANICS INSTITUTE) SAVED THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION!
ACMMR and the Save Our Hall group, together with many supportive community members and the new local council have saved the Lawson Community Hall, previously known as the Mechanics Institute, from demolition. This building was built by the townsfolk in 1903 and has recognised historic and social value for the village of Lawson, the Blue Mountains and beyond.
The RTA changed the design of the widening of the Great Western Highway to avoid demolition of the entire building. They have removed the front portico (an addition to the hall in 1930) and will rebuild it to the eastern side of the building. It now stands as a fine heritage icon, together with the two other RTA restored buildings, the Baptist Church and Tahlia, at the entrance to Lawson. Council is soon to set up an advisory committee for the future direction of the Hall site, consisting of councillors, staff and community members.
ACMMR believes that the sooner the Hall is repaired and open to the community for use again the better. Council has received a $75,000 heritage grant and had committed approximately $121,000 from the previous budget to doing this. However, there may well be fundraising events in the future to ensure that the building can be used as desired by the community. Already funds have been raised by ACMMR - many thanks to those who have contributed. If you want to donate now:
Please make out a cheque to Association of Concerned Mid-Mountains Residents and send it to PO Box 54 Lawson 2783 and don't forget your address for a receipt. Help us ensure that one of the last remaining Mechanics Institutes is put to good use! Thank you!
The Story So Far...
Welcome to the historic village of Lawson in the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains, just 90 kilometres from Sydney. Visitors come to this area from all over the world to experience the Mountains’ outstanding natural beauty and historic villages. Yet the State Government and local Council are preparing to demolish the majority of Lawson’s historic highway buildings in order to widen the main east/west highway (the Great Western Highway) through the village.
This is more that just the story of one small village. Australia's built heritage is only just beginning and must be protected otherwise where will the reminders be for future generations?; How will our cultural heritage be reflected and celebrated?
What will be lost?
History -
If current plans proceed, Lawson will lose all but one of its historic highway shops' buildings, the historic Explorers’ Monument and parts of Bellevue Park as well as its 100 year old Community Hall, the Mechanics Institute .
Our local shopping centre -
This wholesale approach to demolition means Lawson village faces an unlimited period of instability and multiple construction sites which will almost certainly force many local shop operators out of business and will be a severe deterrent to locals and visitors shopping in town.
Our village identity -
The loss of historic buildings and shops will strip Lawson of its character and community atmosphere. No purpose-built shopping centre will reflect the history and cultural identity of our village.
None of this makes any sense when the highway can be widened without such destruction and the Association of Concerned Mid Mountains Residents (ACMMR) has long argued for this approach to be adopted.
click on places above for information and photographs
Who are we and what do we want?
ACMMR was formed in 2002 out of community concern about this situation; We support the widening of the Great Western Highway to make it safer for all who use it and live here, but we believe that this plan is too destructive and carries too many risks.
Above all, we want to ensure that Lawson keeps its unique sense of community and identity as a village. This can only be guaranteed by preserving Lawson's historic buildings and friendly local convenience shops. We are committed to ensuring that Lawson is a safe and attractive place for all who come here, locals and visitors alike, school children, elderly and disabled citizens. (Aims and Objectives).
ACMMR has constantly questioned the lack of transparency and accountability demonstrated on this matter by local and State Governments, as outlined in our chronology (click here). We also believe the proposals for Lawson have been promoted by a campaign of misinformation which we explain in our (myths section).
Are there other alternatives?
We are currently asking the RTA to review its decision and have put forward a genuinely viable (Alternative Option) which removes the need for demolition of the Lawson shops and allows for a sympathetic redevelopment of Lawson village.
The history of Lawson’s predicament is extremely complicated and we invite you to browse this website to gain a deeper understanding of the issues.