A piece of history has a new lease on life as a major milestone is achieved for the rectification works at St Patrick’s Cathedral. For nearly 150 years, this heritage listed landmark has remained one of the most iconic stone buildings in Toowoomba and continues to provide a sacred gathering space.
As local consultants, with an understanding of the site’s historical significance, RMA were engaged by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba as the Project Managers and Principal Consultant. At all stages, preserving the site’s true character and historical significance was fundamental to our approach. Our team worked diligently to retain the building’s historical specifications and delivered all aspects of the project in accordance with the Queensland Heritage Council’s guidelines.
Key structural elements included reviving the building’s floor, stabilising the foundation and monitoring the soil moisture content to prevent further damage. Additionally, our team reinstalled 10 dormer vents, replaced the existing gutters and installed a dripline to mitigate the risk of future water damage.
We overcame a series of challenges and consistently developed a range of innovative, cost-effective and safety-driven solutions that satisfied heritage approval. One of these challenges was restoring the cathedral’s sandstone exterior to its former glory. Our engineers consulted with a network of specialists, including a heritage architect and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation to deliver an accepted and cost-effective solution. Ultimately, our team used a specialised, low pressure steam cleaner to safely remove decades of discolouration.