NEWCASTLE state MP Tim Crakanthorp fears the former Wickham School of Arts building will end up like The Store - demolished.
The Labor MP wants the NSW government to make a commitment to keeping and restoring the 1882 building before the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation advances plans to develop the area.
His call for action comes after Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the school's future may hinge on whether development proposals make use of the building.
"As an old building, there are high levels of asbestos and HCCDC has worked to ensure the security and maintenance during its ownership," Mr Stokes said in response to questions on notice from Mr Crakanthorp and upper house Labor MP Peter Primrose.
"The site is intended to contribute to the emerging West End CBD, providing mixed use outcomes including office employment.
"The suitability of the building to be adaptively reused will be considered in detail when future development proposals are assessed."
The development corporation, a state government body, said in July that it had "no current plans" to demolish the building.
Mr Stokes said a heritage expert recently contracted by HCCDC to assess the building against the NSW heritage assessment criteria had determined it was of local significance.
"This assessment is currently with Heritage NSW for endorsement," he said.
However, the listing would not solely save the building from a wrecking ball. Mr Crakanthorp, who believes it is worthy of a higher heritage status given its links to Henry Lawson, said it was "no surprise" to hear the building contained asbestos.
"But that's not an excuse to leave it there and let it languish, this our heritage," he said
"You leave it long enough and no decision becomes a decision in itself, and it ends up getting demolished.
"We had a situation with the Store and certainly don't want a repeat of that."
Mr Crakanthorp said the government should make a decision to keep the building now to cement its place in future planning for the site.
"It's deeply concerning," he said.
"It's an extremely important building for the community that is part of Newcastle's historic fabric.
"We need a decision ... not just, 'we will be considering it'."
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