Parramatta’s iconic Royal Oak Hotel is no more, as demolition begins on one of Sydney’s oldest pubs to make way for the $2.4bn Parramatta light rail.
An inn was established at the site, on the corner of Church and Ross Streets, by convict John Metcalf, in 1813. In 1823 John Tunks – son of William Tunks, who arrived on the Sirius First Fleet – built the pub that has stood since, originally named the Shamrock, Rose & Thistle.
The departing operators are Lorraine George and family, who are sixth-generation descendants of Tunks Sr.
Despite considerable local protest and cry for recognition of the pub’s historic and cultural significance, the NSW Government determined to proceed with demolition of the nearly 200-year-old pub, which was not listed with State Heritage.
But outcries from stakeholders have brought promise of a draft heritage and salvage report on historical items found in the de-construction. Planning Department conditions will see material heritage items identified by a specialist and removed.
Known heritage features include pressed metal ceilings and cast fireplaces, and it remains to be seen what original items may have been concealed over the years by former renovations.
“It would not always be the items that are visibly obvious,’’ said Parramatta Labor councillor Donna Davis, who alongside North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group has called for the report to be produced promptly.
“No one has any knowledge of what’s going to be salvaged from this site.
“It’s one thing to take our heritage hotel away, it’s another thing to slap us in the face and not show us the courtesy of what artefacts we’re going to retain for display.’’
A spokesperson for Transport NSW said they acknowledge the significance of the Hotel to Parramatta, and the report will be made available to relevant stakeholders, such as Heritage NSW, NSW Heritage Council, Parramatta Council and local historical societies.
Work began dismantling and demolishing the old Royal Oak on Tuesday, with a security fence erected and workers arriving armed with angle grinders and saws. The process is slated to take six weeks.
