Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill, has welcomed NSW Labor’s announcement of a plan to protect heritage as a huge win for the irreplaceable conservation value of the Inner West.

Under the 5 Point Plan, a Foley Labor Government will:

- Develop and deliver the first-ever NSW State Heritage Strategy.

- Remove the ability of the State Government itself to use the economic hardship provision of the Heritage Act to refuse a building heritage protection.

- Stop a Heritage Minister ignoring out of hand a recommendation from the Heritage Council to protect a particular place, by introducing a public hearing to allow the advocates for preservation another opportunity to make their case.

- Restore the Office of Heritage within the Department of Premier and Cabinet so that heritage issues are at the centre of government decision-making.

- Re-locate the Office of the Premier and the Cabinet room to one of Sydney’s pre-eminent public buildings, the Chief Secretary’s building on the corner of Bridge and Macquarie streets.

The former Heritage Minister’s flagrant disregard for heritage in not listing the Sirius building on purely profit grounds has torn apart a community and will erode Sydney’s working class heritage. Labor’s measures will make sure this never happens again.

The announcement of the policy comes after the consistent of criticism of the Baird-Berejiklian Government for its careless approach to heritage conservation in the Inner West. Residents expressed outrage at the sidelining of Haberfield's heritage during the WestConnex design and construction and the mismanagement of conservation at Yasmar Estate and Callan Park.

Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill

“The Inner West is home to some of Sydney’s most important heritage precincts, including Haberfield, Yasmar Estate and Callan Park. NSW Labor has a plan to protect these precious places.

“Heritage gives the Inner West it’s soul. The trees, streetscapes and historic buildings across our suburbs need to be recognised and protected.

“The Inner West has seen what happens when a Government does not care about heritage and instead puts profit ahead of conservation. A Labor Government will fix the mess of the Baird-Berejiklian years and put heritage at the heart of decision-making.”