Chimney at Botanica set for hot new look

Australand is restoring the historic Chimney at Botanica, which originally provided light and power to the Lidcombe hospital through the boiler house. 

Cnthia Csernay, senior marketing coordinator for Australand, says the aims behind the restoration of the chimney were to bring the structure up to the current earthquake codes, as well as to make the building more visually attractive. 

The chimney dates back to 1901 and contained coal furnaces that fed into a generator to produce enough electricity to provide lighting and power to the entire hospital, as well as hospital wards and residences. 

The Lidcombe hospital closed in 1993, and the boiler house and chimney have not been active since. 

The Lidcombe hospital changed its name over time as the focus of care changed and developed. It was originally known as the Lidcombe Old Men’s home, though during the 1919 influenza pandemic, women had been admitted to the infectious disease ward. 

After 1913 the hospital changed names to Rookwood State Hospital and Home For Men, and changed twice more until it closed as Lidcombe Hospital. 

The chimney that fed electricity and power to the hospital is now a historical landmark within Australand’s Botanica. 

“It will be a piece of history that all the community can be proud of, and we look forward to the completed restorations,” says Australand NSW residential division general manager Nigel Edgar. 

Edgar also says that the chimney at Botanica is a treasured feature of the residential community and plays a very important role in understanding the history of site. 

Botanica is part of a new neighbourhood, which is spread over 44 hectares and is 14 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. 

The former hospital buildings are now known as “The gallery at Botanica” and are a collection of heritage-listed building that have been adapted by Australand into modern homes. 

There are currently 31 homes on sale at Botanica, with a some 500 new homes sold. 

Its three-bedroom houses are available from $660,000 to $740,000, and the four-bedroom house ranges from $715,000 to $940,000.