Archaeological investigation commences at Sydney Town Hall

6 August 2007

A preliminary archaeological investigation at Sydney Town Hall is underway as part of a major $60 million essential services and facade upgrade of the building, Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said today.

The NSW Heritage Council has given approval for archaeologists Dr Mary Casey and Tony Lowe of Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd to carry out a 'scrape' of a proposed excavation area beneath Town Hall.

The process involves removing disturbed soil to identify areas which could potentially be grave sites. Ground penetrating radar may also be used to analyse rock depth and provide additional data on potential grave sites.

Sydney Town Hall is built within one of Sydney's first cemeteries which operated between 1792 and 1820 prior to the opening of a new cemetery on the site of Central Railway Station.

Prior to the commencement of construction of Sydney Town Hall in 1869 some graves were exhumed and re-interned at Rookwood. Some of the graves remained.

Tony Lowe has extensive experience in the excavation of early European sites in Sydney and has directed and co-directed more than 20 excavations for Casey & Lowe including: Cross City Tunnel Project, Museum of Contemporary Art, Conservatorium Site, GPO and Tank Stream.

"Throughout this testing process we are showing the utmost respect and care for the site because of the social and historical significance associated with the area," Ms Moore said.

"The City's work is being guided by the NSW Heritage Council and this scrape will help us discover and protect anything that remains."

"The archaeological investigation is the first part of a five year rescue plan for Sydney Town Hall which involves restoring the crumbling sandstone facade and updating internal services such as air-conditioning, sewerage, electricity, heating and communications technology which are out of date and in danger of failing.

"An excavation is proposed beneath the Peace Hall to create space for plant equipment, a substation and storage for the Town Hall curatorial collection.

"As custodians of this building we have a duty of care to undertake these extensive works, without impacting on the building's heritage significance, so that Sydney Town Hall is guaranteed for future generations.

"Alongside other significant late 19th century buildings such as the Queen Victoria Building, the State Library and the Art Gallery of NSW, it must be protected and restored," Ms Moore said.

Archaeologist Dr Mary Casey said that once the 'scrape' is complete, preliminary tests will be conducted to identify if human remains are present in the potential graves.

"The preliminary investigation is being conducted with the approval of the NSW Heritage Council and a full report is expected to be made to them in the coming months detailing the findings," Dr Casey said.

Subject to Heritage Council and City Council approval, the excavation work is planned to be complete early in the new year before commencing the Sydney Town Hall works.

Sydney Town Hall has stood for more than a century as the major public and civic building in the city of Sydney. It was built in two stages between 1869 and 1889 to an extravagant scale and style during a boom period in Sydney's history.

The Town Hall dominated Sydney's commercial heart when it was built, and retains some of that dominance today, despite being surrounded by high rise buildings.

The building is considered to have very high heritage significance being the heart of the commercial district and originally designed to be a symbol of the wealth and status of the city.

The main hall of Sydney Town Hall (Centennial Hall) was seen as symbolic of the aspirations and potential of a young and dynamic nation. It was planned to be the biggest in the world measuring 166 feet in length, 85 feet in breadth and 14,110 feet in area. Sydney was the largest hall with Preston and Glasgow halls second and third and Melbourne Town Hall ninth. Adelaide Town Hall was at the bottom of the list.

Sydney Town Hall is of exceptional heritage significance to Sydney and Australia in part because of its continued use as a Town Hall, performance venue and civic heart. It is a well known landmark and meeting point and has had numerous visitors ranging from the Royal family to local community and school groups, and internationally acclaimed artists and performers.

Various buildings were constructed behind the Town Hall to accommodate staff throughout the twentieth century. The current office tower, Town Hall House, was opened in 1977. It is the main administrative centre for the City of Sydney.