The MLC Building (by Bates Smart McCutcheon, 1954-57) is proposed for demolition.  The MLC Building, 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney, is the most significant large office building dating from the 1950s in Australia. It is an important component in the development of North Sydney, makes a significant contribution to the streetscape and played a seminal role in the development of the Modern high-rise office building in Australia.

The MLC Building, North Sydney, is one of the most important mid century modernist buildings in Australia.

The building should be protected by its current heritage listings, but it seems they are not enough. It is listed on the North Sydney LEP as an item of Local Significance, it is listed on the Australian Institute of Architects Register of Nationally Significant 20th Century Architecture, and it is listed on both the Docomomo Australia and Docomomo International Registers.

The building is the subject of current Development Application DA 147/20 including demolition.

If you share our concerns please add your support to this petition.

·      We urge North Sydney Council to refuse the current Development Application that requires the demolition of the MLC Building.

·      We request the Heritage Council of NSW urgently issue an Interim Heritage Order.

·      We request the Heritage Council of NSW to list the MLC Building on the State Heritage Register.

·      We urge the owners, North Sydney Council and the Heritage Council to consult regarding the future of this exceptionally important work of architecture of the post-war period.

We also urge you to make a submission to North Sydney Council directly via their website:

https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Building_Development/Current_DAs/DA_Comments/Applications_Have_Your_Say

referencing the DA number above and stating your objections to the proposed demolition. The DA advertising period ends Friday, 7 August 2020.

You may wish to note that the Heritage Impact Statement, by the RPS Group, dated 28 November 2019, fails to address the significance of the MLC Building and does not follow either the NSW Heritage Council guidelines for the preparation of Statements of Heritage Impact or the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter process for managing places of cultural significance.

This important building should be saved for future generations.