Albury and District Historical Society met this week and agreed unanimously to object to the plan to demolish the 1890s building and replace it with two four-bedroom houses in a submission made to Albury Council.

It argues against the conclusion of a heritage impact statement prepared by Noel Thomson Architecture on behalf of the developer that demolition was appropriate in this case.

“The application claims, in effect, that the building has been too much altered and left empty to justify its restoration as a beautiful home in the Federation style,” society president Greg Ryan said.

“We believe the recent conversion and restoration of former CSU buildings in Olive Street into up-market residences is an excellent example of what may be achieved, and with a successful economic outcome for the developer.

“The Thomson report focuses almost exclusively on architectural merit, without giving sufficient weight to historical significance.”

The homes including Flood Nagle, Hicks, Avon Court, Mudge, Wilcara and The Cedar were sold and restored.

Another Albury historic property, Adamshurst, had also slipped into a major state of disrepair being revived after its sale to St Matthew’s Archdeacon Peter MacLeod-Miller’s family in 2013.

Mr Ryan listed reasons why Meramie was important to Albury’s social history.

Thomas Griffith, a grazier, Albury mayor and NSW parliamentarian, built the house and called it Delaware.

The name change to Meramie came when it was converted to a private hospital where former Prime Minister Billy Hughes was treated for several days after crashing his car at Ettamogah in 1936.

A bridge at Ettamogah has been named after Mr Hughes.

“The society hopes these points will be taken into consideration when considering whether to save Meramie or not,” Mr Ryan said.