Posted: February 21, 2012

The historic sandstone Warwick Town Hall building is due to undergo a set of major renovations to keep it in good condition for future generations.

This includes structural and stonework restorations to the 124 year old building, as well as drainage improvements, expected to take five months to complete.

“The Warwick Town Hall is an iconic building that is very important to Warwick,” said Mayor Ron Bellingham. “It is essential that we keep it in good repair so that it can be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come.”

For six weeks from 5 March 2012, parts of the front of the Warwick Town Hall will be fenced off for underpinning works. Underpinning will address settlement of the North West and South West sections of the front of the building that has caused defects such as slight movement in the keystones and bedding courses.

Repointing and pitching work will be done to repair degraded stone blocks on the Warwick Town Hall such as these pictured above.  The end result should see the blocks looking as good as new.

This picture shows a partially covered ventilation outlet - some vents are completely covered.  The work will address ventialtion to improve underfloor cross flow of air.  Stonework to the right and left of this vent will also be repaired to look as good as new.

“This movement has occurred over time,” said Greg Thouard, Manager Facilities and Recreation. “Our contractors will need to excavate and then shore up under the areas that have settled.

“People will still be able to access the Town Hall through the front entrance while these works are underway,” Mr Thouard said.

When underpinning is completed, repairs to stonework by Queensland Heritage Masonry will start, with scaffolding erected on both pedestrian laneways beside the building.

“An exclusion zone will be installed to meet safety requirements,” Mr Thouard said. “The pedestrian laneway on the northern side of the Town Hall will be closed and the laneway on the southern side will be reduced by half. Access to the front of the building will be available.”

Stone works include re-pointing of damaged bedding between sandstone blocks; replacement of a damaged urn on the upper parapet; repair of a broken and loose capstone on the parapet wall; repair of columns and bases; realignment of keystones and cornices; and a low pressure clean of all stonework in the front section up to the parapet wall. These works are expected to finish in June.

Drainage works will also form part of the project. Mr Thouard explained that over time, the level of Palmerin Street has been raised and where steps to access Town Hall once existed, the entrance is now a ramp. “Underfloor ventilation has been affected by the change in street levels and our contractors will undertake remedial work to allow underfloor cross flow ventilation,” he said.

Work will be carried out by R&M Monteverde Pty Ltd and Queensland Heritage Masonry, consulting structural engineers Roy B Hoskins & Associates and architect Ridell Architecture.

The current project is estimated to cost $475,000, which includes monies set aside by Council over a number of years as well $125,000 in grant monies. Funding of $25,000 is from the Community Memorial Restoration Program and $100,000 is from the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

This is the latest in a series of ongoing restoration works for the building originally built in 1888. Over the past few years Council has repaired the clock and bell ringer, restored the clock face, replaced the side doors and restored the front doors and replaced damaged floorboards in the office area.

Heritage restoration of the internal bathrooms is a future restoration project.

ENDS

Media contact: Janine Crawford, Communications Officer, 07 4661 0305 or janine.crawford@southerndowns.qld.gov.au