There’s good news for those interested in conserving the heritage of Flynn Primary School, Preschool and grounds.
Flynn Primary School and grounds meet the threshold criteria for heritage listing, according to a 4 September letter from The Chief Minister and Minister for Heritage:
Flynn Primary School was nominated for inclusion on the ACT Heritage Register in March 2008. All interested groups, including the John Flynn Community Group, will be notified if the Flynn Primary School is given high priority for this year’s assessment and processing work.
I am advised that a comparative study and assessment of all four Taglietti schools in the ACT, funded by an ACT Heritage Grant, is currently being undertaken by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). The comparative study will provide an indicative ranking of each school within the body of Taglietti’s work. Places of exceptional or high indicative value will be considered for assessment against the heritage significance criteria.
I understand that on 30 July 2009 the AIA submitted a draft study to the Council, – which considers that Giralang and Flynn Schools reach the threshold for listing on the ACT Heritage Register. Draft citations have been submitted and the Heritage Unit is currently reviewing these documents prior to being submitted to the Council.
Should the Council decide to provisionally register either, or both, of these Taglietti schools, public consultation will be undertaken with interested parties as defined under the Heritage Act 2004. The John Flynn Community Group will be invited to provide comments about the draft register entry and assessment against the heritage significance criteria within four weeks of the decision. The Council will consider any comments received and may make changes to the draft register entry when deciding whether or not to ultimately register the sites.
It may be prudent for the John Flynn Community Group to contact the AIA to discuss your concerns. Also you may be aware that there is a provision under the Act for a nomination to be treated urgently. I am advised that the current fee for this request is $3,000. Once a request for an urgent assessment has been received, the Council will use its best endeavours to consider the nomination within 20 working days.
Please be assured that whilst Flynn Primary School remains nominated it is protected under the Heritage Act 2004.
[Extract from letter to the John Flynn Community Group, dated 4 September]
