FORMER COMMERCIAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA
11 VIEW POINT BENDIGO, GREATER BENDIGO CITY

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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The former Commercial Bank of Australia was erected in View Point, Bendigo in 1875 to a design by local architects, Vahland and Getzschmann. It was one of a number of banks established in this location from the 1850s, and the street subsequently developed as a commercial centre of the town.
Economic growth occurred in Bendigo as a result of the town's successful alluvial goldfields, which were worked into the late 1860s, and the subsequent establishment of extensive quartz mines. Rich reefs ensured economic stability, with half the workforce employed in mining into the 1880s. A large number of banks were constructed in the town centre to support the mining activity and the majority of these were located in View Point. The former C.B.A. bank occupied premises in Pall Mall before a new site in View Point was purchased in 1874.
Occupying a triangular site, the former C.B.A. bank building has a rendered, two storey facade of three bays, designed in the Renaissance Revival style. Four giant order engaged Corinthian columns support an entablature and balustraded parapet above. Rectangular openings at ground floor level are surmounted by segmental arched pediments and windows of the first floor are arch-headed. Ornate detailing is a feature of the classical facade, including Roman guilloche moulding, typical of the Renaissance, ribbon moulding and a Greek key frieze.
The banking chamber itself is elaborately decorated and is lined with a colonnade of Corinthian columns and a coved lantern lit ceiling.
The building underwent extensive restoration in 1987.
How is it significant?
The former C.B.A. bank, Bendigo is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The former C.B.A. bank, Bendigo is of architectural significance as a fine example of the work of the prolific local architects, Vahland and Getzschmann. Together with a wide range of buildings designed by this firm, the C.B.A. bank stands as an important example of their work in Bendigo. It is an important element in the View Street streetscape, one of the finest precincts of nineteenth century buildings in Victoria.
The former C.B.A. bank, Bendigo is of historical significance due to its association with the development of Bendigo, a major centre for gold mining in the nineteenth century. The elaborately decorated building demonstrates the prosperity of Bendigo and the importance of the bank in a gold mining centre. It is illustrative of the civic development that occurred as a result of the mining industry and specifically the commercial development in this locality. View Point became the financial centre of Bendigo and this bank is one of at least seven erected along View Point from the 1860s.
[Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]
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FORMER COMMERCIAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA - History
The former Commercial Bank of Australia was erected in View Point, Bendigo in 1875 to a design by local architects, Vahland and Getzschmann. It was one of a number of banks established in this location from the 1850s, and the street subsequently developed as a commercial centre of the town.
Economic growth occurred in Bendigo as a result of the town’s successful alluvial goldfields, which were worked into the late 1860s, and the subsequent establishment of extensive quartz mines. Rich reefs ensured economic stability, with half the workforce employed in mining into the 1880s. A large number of banks were constructed in the town centre to support the mining activity and the majority of these were located in View Point. The former C.B.A. bank occupied premises in Pall Mall before a new site in View Point was purchased in 1874.
The draft statement of significance and the above history were produced as part of an Online Data Upgrade Project 2004. Sources were as follows:
B. Trethowan. Banks in Victoria 1851-1939. Melbourne 1976
G. Butler & Assoc. Eaglehawk and Bendigo Heritage Study. 1993
Ratio Consultants P.L. & Caulfield & Krivanek P. L. View Street Rosalind Park Study. 1992FORMER COMMERCIAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.Specific Exemptions:General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component.General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Planprovides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan.
General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.
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