Specialist Heritage Plaster Remediation Works

⁠⁠⁠Inner West Council is seeking submissions from suitably qualified heritage plaster and remediation contractors for specialist conservation works at Balmain Town Hall, 370 Darling Street, Balmain NSW.

Project Overview

The project addresses ongoing efflorescence (salt contamination) and associated deterioration affecting:

•  The First Floor Auditorium (decorative cornices, friezes, rendered wall bands)
•  The Tower Stair (walls, soffits, skirtings and landings)

Works are required to stabilise the heritage fabric, remove salt contamination, reinstate damaged decorative elements, and complete repainting using approved paint systems.

Separable Portions

SP1 – First Floor Auditorium

•  Remediation of salt affected wall zones
•  Replication and reinstatement of missing decorative cornice (approx. 11 m)
•  Replacement of frieze and lower cornice (approx. 12.5 m)
•  Desalination using Westox Cocoon or tenderer proposed alternative
•  Repair of a plaster vent and replacement of damaged timber skirting
•  Repainting to an approved heritage system

Deadline: 29 May 2026 (mandatory)

SP2 – Tower Stair

•  Removal of all paint and white set back to original render
•  Pressure captive head washdown of all walls
•  Salt testing and further desalination if required (Westox Cocoon or tenderer proposed alternative)
•  Local render repairs and repainting using Porters Paints mineral system
•  Replacement of deteriorated soffit boards and damaged skirting

Key Requirements

•  Heritage qualified plasterers with demonstrated experience in traditional materials and methods
•  Detailed methodology addressing desalination, testing, access, and scaffold staging
•  Mandatory hold points for salt testing, substrate inspections, and pre paint approvals
•  Protection of heritage fabric and minimisation of disruption to building operations

Project Briefing

Attendance at the scheduled mandatory onsite briefing is required – 9:00AM Wednesday 25 March 2026.