The owners of the heritage-listed former Paragon Cafe in Katoomba are facing legal action from the NSW Government.
The government has filed papers in the Land and Environment Court of NSW over what it says is a failure by the owner to maintain the building as required under the Heritage Act 1977.
It’s only the second case of its kind to be taken to court in the state, the government says.
Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe says the Paragon is an “irreplaceable” historic treasure of the Blue Mountains.
“Places like the Paragon carry our history and must be protected because, once lost, they cannot be replaced. That is why we are taking decisive legal action,” she says.
OWNERS ON NOTICE
Parliamentary Secretary for Heritage and the MP for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle says: “The Paragon is woven into the identity of Katoomba and Blue Mountains. It’s deeply disappointing to see such an important heritage building deteriorate due to a lack of maintenance.
“The NSW Government has worked hard to support a positive outcome here, but enough is enough.”
The Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator’s chief regulatory officer, Adam Gilligan says: “We have a responsibility to ensure heritage-listed properties are protected for future generations.
“This action sends a clear message that heritage obligations must be taken seriously, and owners of these properties have a legal responsibility to maintain them.”
ABOUT THE PARAGON
The Paragon Cafe opened in the Blue Mountains in 1916 by Zacharias Theodore ‘Jack’ Simos and is known for its ornate decor and art deco architecture.
The Paragon has sat empty since 2018.
Legal action by the Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator follows interventions by Heritage NSW to improve the property’s condition, including two formal orders under the Heritage Act 1977 that called for urgent repairs and maintenance.
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