A stone walled wine cellar on the original Daruka Homestead property will gain a new lease of life after Tamworth Regional Council approved a development application for its use as a function centre.
Councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting voted to approve the application for the Wyndham Close, Daruka property from its owner Sharron Moore, subject to more than 20 conditions.
The conditions include detailed building specifications, measures aimed at preserving features of the building of heritage value, car parking arrangements, landscaping guidelines and a limiting the number of people permitted to attend any function to 80.
The development application was referred to Council for determination because two submissions were received in response to the public exhibition of the proposal. The submissions objected to the application because of concerns about potential noise and traffic issues and impact on the character of the neighbourhood.
A report tabled at the Council meeting said the Daruka Homestead is identified as an item of heritage significance under the Tamworth Regional Local Environmental Plan 2010. The significance of the site relates to the use of stone in the wine cellar construction and its unique two-storey scale.
Wine making began on the property, which was then named Rocky Mount, in the 1870s. The cellar was constructed by a local builder in 1888 using coursed rubble granite, timber framed doors and a timber framed roof supporting a timber boarded ceiling and (now painted) galvanised iron roof sheeting.
Egbert Wyndham - a relative of the Wyndham family which started Wyndham Estate Winery in the Hunter Valley – became the property’s owner in 1899 and changed its name to Daruka.
The development application lodged with Council detailed plans to adapt the wine cellar for use as a function centre for small wedding ceremonies and receptions and other small functions such as birthday parties or wakes. All functions are proposed to end by midnight.
Construction work will include a new disabled access ramp, new deck, a carpark for 35 vehicles and conversion of a carport to accommodate a kitchenette and toilet facilities.
The applicant advised there would be no preparation, cooking or storage of food on site. All food and drinks will be supplied by a mobile caterer. The kitchenette will allow for storage and washing up during a function.