Paragon Cafe's Fate: Heritage vs Neglect

0:00It's April 19, I'm Cory with the story. This is Sydney News Today, driven by AI. The Paragon Cafe in Katumba, that art deco jewel from the Blue Mountains, is crumbling into a sad relic. Once buzzing with soda fountains, waffles, and honeymoon crowds, this 1920s icon got NSW heritage listing 11 years ago, but shut down. Three years later, now wrecked by vandals and neglect. Officers like John Landerer of Conset Investments face heat from the state. After two orders last year in a fresh inspection by the Heritage Regulator, officials are eyeing court moves to force basic maintenance under the Heritage Act. He can appeal, but the decay rolls on. Folks see it as a warning for heaps of NSW treasures, losing battles to time, damp, and empty pockets. Generations tied memories to spots like this. Greek Cafe standout. Yet cash-strap councils and owners can't keep pace with the damage.

1:01Experts push lottery funding, UK style, where they've pulled in $94 million since 1994, for castles, pubs, and stone hinge fixes, no private handouts, just public good. NSW knows the drill. Lotteries built the Opera House and Harbor Bridge back in the day. As the government's new heritage policy lands next month, amid pleas for tougher enforcement and grants, reviving lotteries could breed life into. Icons like the Paragon, slashing emissions by smart reuse over new builds.