Peter Kabaila BSc(Arch), B Arch(UNSW), Dip Ed, BA Hons, PhD(ANU)
Peter’s varied and interesting career path includes the establishment of an architecture and project management practice in Canberra, followed by the completion of a doctorate in historical archaeology from the Australia National University. Peter’s continuing role as a heritage consultant and advisor to New South Wales local government combines his interest in historical townships and his architectural design background.
Peter is the author of several non-fiction books, which include narratives of historic towns in New South Wales and accounts of Aboriginal settlements in the 20th century. Travels include Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Europe and North America. Peter speaks Lithuanian and some Vietnamese, the latter a result of recent pro-bono work and founding of a small charity in central Vietnam.
- Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Archaeology, ANU.
- Bachelor of Arts, First Class Honours, Dept. of Archaeology, ANU.
- Graduate Diploma in Education, (Australian History). Univ. of Canberra.
- Bachelor of Architecture, University of New South Wales.
- Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of New South Wales.
- First Rate Accredited Energy Assessor, ACT.
- Council Heritage Adviser Course, Quarantine Station, Manly.
Heritage Advisor (2000-Current)
Advisor to NSW local government areas including Yass, Griffith, Lockhart, Moss Vale, Picton, Katoomba, Queanbeyan, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn, Jindabyne, Urana, Corowa, Bega, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Hay.
Roles include:
- Restorations.
- Conservation management plans.
- Government Heritage Development Control Plans.
- Museum work.
- Nominations to State Heritage Register.
- Local government area heritage studies.
- Heritage Impact Statements.
- Expert witness for legal disputes.
Full project listings are provided in the Appendix below.
Archaeology
Peter pioneered methodologies for recording the history of Aboriginal settlements as part of his PhD research. His work includes archaeological surveys for development proposals, minefield heritage assessments, and Aboriginal collection analysis.
Roles include:
- Archaeological surveys (Aboriginal & European).
- Minefield heritage assessment/rehabilitation.
- Aboriginal collection analysis.
Detailed archaeological project listings and publications are provided in the Appendix.
Architecture
Peter studied architecture at UNSW while working as a draftsman. During his final year, he was selected to study under renowned architect Harry Seidler.
Principal Architect, Black Mountain Projects Pty Ltd
- Design and project management for educational, commercial, and residential
projects. - Refurbishment projects for the Catholic Education Office.
Contract architect
- Department of Housing and Construction (Special Services Section).
- Canberra-based and UK-based architectural firms, including significant
international projects.
- Tutor, Landscape Archaeology, Australian National University.
- Tutor, Architecture, Canberra Institute of Technology.
- Pro-bono English tutor for migrants – Canberra Institute of Technology.
HERITAGE CONSULTANCY
Restorations
- Carrington cottage row, Joadja shale mine field, NSW Southern Highlands.
- Gundaroo Pioneer Cemetery. Repairs, conservation, new lych gate.
- Showground Grandstand, Lockhart. Repairs and conservation of a late Victorian period grandstand.
- Hennessy College Young. Conversion of former convent to College administration building.
- St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga. Replacement of building services and major renovation.
- Rheinberger Centre, Yarralumla. Conversion for former school building and grounds into a teaching and conference centre.
- Snowy Hydro Visitor’s Centre, Cooma. Adaptive reuse and additions to original SMEC Visitor s Centre building.
- Jindera Blacksmiths Stables restoration, project advice and heritage training for Jindera Pioneer Museum Inc.
- Globe Hotel, Deane St, Albury, for Phil Wilkins Building Design Pty Ltd.
Heritage Training Workshops
- Jindera Blacksmith Training Days. Jindera Pioneer Museum Inc (Stone flaking, identifying stone artefacts, identifying historic relics, wattle & daub plastering workshop, stone flaking workshop).
- Wollondilly Council Staff Workshops: hands-on stone flaking and grinding.
- DATTA ACT Design and Technology Teachers Conference seminars. Traditional Aboriginal technologies using wood and stone.
Submission to State Government Inquiry
- Submission against proposal to raise the level of Warragamba Dam – Heritage submission on behalf of Wollondilly Council.
Interpretation Plans
- Burrinjuck Dam Access Walkways and Gates, Power Stations 2 and 3, for Habitat Planning.
- Tralee Speedway (Fraser Park Raceway). redevelopment into Sports Complex, heritage interpretation for Paul Brookbanks Landscape Architect and QPRC.
- Trail proposal, Museum trail, Federation Council.
- Trail proposal, Historic Cemeteries Trail, SnowyMonaro Council.
Property Survey
- American diplomatic residences, Canberra, contracted to LFA.
- Griffith City Properties Heritage Audit.
Local Government Area Heritage Studies
- Heritage studies for NSW Shire Councils: Leeton, Cootamundra, Greater Hume, Lockhart Shire, Griffith City, Wollondilly (completion), Balranald, Urana.
Local Government Heritage DCP (Development Control Plan)
- Berrima Village, for Wingecarribee Council.
- ACT Galvanised Roof Policy, contracted to Peter Freeman.
- Canberra Front Fence Policy Revision, contracted to LFA.
- NSW Local government Development Control Plans for: Berrima Village, Queanbeyan City, Menangle Village, Yass Valley Shire, Griffith City, Lockhart Shire, Greater Hume Shire, Cootamundra Shire, Leeton Shire, Snowy River Shire, Urana Shire.
Museum Work
- Exhibition Preparation – Warangesda Mission Commemoration (Griffith Art Gallery).
- Darlington Point Aboriginal gallery and tourist info centre (design concept).
- Rusten engine relocation project, Oaklands.
- Oaklands Vintage Collection, museum policy documents.
- Urana Courthouse Museum, policy documents.
- Lockhart Historical Museum, application for federal funding and CMP.
- Cootamundra Heritage Centre, entrance ramp design.
- Significance statements for Migration Heritage Centre, Sydney Powerhouse Museum, objects at Griffith Italian Cultural Museum.
- Museum story boards, Warangesda Aboriginal Mission – Art and Historical Exhibition, Griffith Art Gallery.
- Museum story board, Freddie Fox Hat Design Collection – Urana Courthouse.
- Interpretive signs, Milbrulong Village History – Milbrulong road stop.
Listing Nominations/Recording of Historic Places
- Soldiers Memorial Hall, Urana.
- St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga.
- Bradman’s Birthplace, Cootamundra.
- Hermit’s Cave, Griffith.
- Queen Victoria Home for Consumptives, Wentworth Falls.
- Warangesda Aboriginal Mission Site, Darlington Point, for NSW Heritage Office.
- Soldiers Memorial Hall, Urana.
- Warangesda’s “Beehive” Aboriginal School, for NPWS.
- Kaljusto Farm & “Old Estonians” – Thirlmere’s early 20th century Estonian settlers. 90 Scroggies Rd, Thirlmere.
- Murrah Cottage and Yard, 663 Benny Gowings Rd, Murrah.
Legal disputes; expert witness (mainly NSW Land & Environment Court)
- Ironlaw Pty Ltd v Wollondilly Shire Council. NSW L&E Court.
- Multi-unit redevelopment, Neerim, Bowral. NSW L&E Court.
- Port-O-Call Hotel, Bowral. NSW L&E Court.
- Murrumbidgee Flour Mill, Wagga Wagga. NSW L&E Court.
- Norlex water extraction, Bundanoon. NSW L&E Court.
- Laidlaw’s Hill subdivision, Yass. NSW L&E Court.
- Lennox House, Acton. ACT Magistrate’s Court.
- House, 52 Currong St, Braddon. ACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
- Wollondilly Council ats Corbett Constructions. Multi-unit development, 91 Menangle St Picton.
- Wollondilly Council ats Muscat. Poultry farm development, 440 Cawdor Rd.
- Wingecarribee Council ats Lend Lease Retirement Living. Aged Care Facility, 39 Aitken Rd, Bowral.
Conservation Management Plans
ARCHAEOLOGY