Authors Marilyn Bennet and Ian Braybrook said they had heard nothing from the council about its plans for the 19^th century magnanerie, built to farm silkworms.

Mr Braybrook said the building was an important piece of Corowa and NSW heritage and a potential tourist attraction, but its roof was close to collapsing.

“It was built for Sarah Neill in 1877 by Chinese labourers under the direction of French sericulture (silk farming) expert Etienne Thibault who she brought out from France to assist her,” he said.

“As far as we can work out, he was the one who designed that building.

“It is definitely worth saving, it’s unique, and I doubt if there’s another in the world like it.”

Mr Braybrook said the magnanerie’s present owner wanted to see it repaired but wasn’t able to fund the project.

In July, then-Federation Council administrator Mike Eden said the council’s heritage adviser was conducting a heritage survey and heritage review of the magnanerie.

Since then, a new council has been elected and the general manager Chris Gillard removed.

“There’s been a lot of things happening there and this might have just been overlooked, put aside or forgotten about,” Mr Braybrook said.

Federation Council acting general manager Peter Gall said on Monday the council was still very aware of the importance of the silkworm farm magnanerie, which had been included in a wider Federation heritage review.

“Council’s heritage adviser is conducting an overall Federation region heritage survey and heritage review,” Mr Gall said.

“The silkworm farm building has been identified as a building of local heritage significance and possibly state heritage significance as well.”

Mr Braybrook and Ms Bennet co-authored Sarah’s Search – A Silk Odyssey, which outlined the efforts of Sarah Neill, a wealthy widow, to develop a silk industry in Australia.

The authors said the book provided evidence for governments to consider supporting the building’s preservation and heritage listing. 

“We are willing to offer any assistance we can give,” Mr Braybrook said.

The magnanerie’s rammed earth walls, 600 millimetres thick, remained sturdy but the complicated roof structure was vulnerable, having been damaged by white ants and a fallen tree.

“It’s still very substantial, the walls will probably be there another 180 years but the roof itself is not going to be,” Mr Braybrook said.