IT is time to decide what to do with the Headmaster's Cottage on Howick Street.
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It is one of Bathurst's iconic buildings and is located in the main business area of Bathurst.
It is derelict, becoming unsalvageable, and is owned by Bathurst Regional Council.
There have been vague statements about the building's future.
Meanwhile, nothing has been done. It is time that changed.
The Headmaster's Cottage is next to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.
It was built between 1876 and 1878 and was part of Bathurst's first public school.
The building was designed by G. A. Mansfield, the NSW Government Schools architect, built by James Douglas, and John Dettman was the first headmaster to live there.
It is described as a Victorian rustic Gothic building.
It is a two-storey residence, but internally the upper storey has been removed, perhaps due to the risk of collapse.
While the restoration of the building may be expensive, proper planning would allow sources of finance to be investigated, and the work to be staged over a period of time.
It is time to start the process and for some decisions to be made.