UPDATE NOVEMBER 2008 : Report on Work Completed - download
The Diocese commissioned local engineering firm, Base iGi, to manage the first stage of the conservation work required on St James Cathedral.
Due to the complexity of the work, it is being conducted in stages with the bell tower taking priority as it poses safety concerns.
During its time the bell tower has been exposed to salt laden winds and has extensive corrosion of the iron members, is suffering from fretting and cracking brickwork and failure of the bell headstock and pivot mechanism.
The remainder of the Cathedral requires significant refurbishment with the roof being the other major issue. Other concerns include regular flooding of the crypt area, termite damage and the condition of the brickwork.
The overall conservation work includes –
- reconstructing the bell tower
- repairing the roof including leaks, rotting timber, asbestos cement cladding replacement
- upgrading the drainage system
- addressing regular flooding of the crypt area
- upgrading electrical work
- attending to termite damage
- repairing the windows
- repairing the red brickwork and sandstone trim
- repairing the condition of the floor
The conservation work is expected to take around 5 to 6 years and has been estimated to cost around $6 million.
The bell tower restoration will cost around $1.5 million with the remainder estimated to cost around $4.5 million.