DOMAIN PARKLANDS
ST KILDA ROAD AND DOMAIN ROAD MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
-
-
DOMAIN PARKLANDS - History
CONTEXTUAL HISTORY
The Domain Parklands is part of a British tradition of establishing large Government domains around colonial government houses. The tradition was adapted from British royal estates which included large landscaped parks as settings for royal residences and the nineteenth century concept of public parks. Examples of parklands associated with vice-regal residences can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide, as well as other colonies of the British Empire including South Africa, New Zealand and Canada.Several large reserves for public purposes and recreation were established around the Melbourne settlement, on land reserved from sale by Charles La Trobe, Superintendent of the Port Phillip District after his arrival in 1839. These included the Botanic Gardens, South Yarra; Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Kings Domain (the Domain Parklands), Royal Park, Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Yarra Park.
Significant Figures in the Development of the Domain Parklands:
Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896)
[based on Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by Deirdre Morris]
Ferdinand von Mueller trained as a pharmacist in Germany and developed a particular interest in, and knowledge of, botany before arriving in Adelaide in 1847. In 1852 Mueller travelled to Melbourne where he was appointed government botanist the following year by Lieutenant-Governor La Trobe. In this role he travelled extensively in Victoria, including areas little explored, and discovered and collected many species of indigenous vegetation.
As botanist to the North Australian Exploring Expedition, Mueller travelled across the continent in 1855, observing some 800 species new to Australian botany. After his return to Melbourne he was appointed director to the Botanic Gardens in August 1857, in addition to his role as government botanist. He organised the construction of an herbarium to which he contributed his extensive collection, and began work on his 12 part Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae (1858-82). As director, Mueller exchanged seeds and plants with Australian, European and American herbaria. He contributed to the seven volume Flora Australiensis between 1863 and 1878.
Mueller's interest lay largely in the scientific and educational aspects of his work, rather than in the development of parklands in Melbourne for aesthetic and recreational purposes. In 1868 it was noted that no statues or structures had been erected in the gardens and Mueller was being criticised for his lack of directorship of the Botanic Gardens. As a result Mueller was replaced in the role by William Guilfoyle in 1873.
Mueller was a tireless worker and he published over 800 papers and major works on Australian botany and lectured on a large range of topics, both scientific and historical. In 1877 he surveyed a large part of the forests and coast of Western Australia at the request of the government. The first part of The Native Plants of Victoria, a work which remained unfinished, was also issued that year. He was involved in a number of societies, awarded a royal medal of the Royal Society, London in 1888 and won many European honours.
Based on his research and exploration, Mueller made recommendations on the use of land and plants and exported eucalyptus seeds to a number of countries. His European scientific contacts were important for the development of Australian science and his work helped gain international recognition for Australian scientific endeavour. His contribution to botany in Australia was immense and long lasting.
William Guilfoyle (1840-1912)
[based on Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by Alan Gross]
William Guilfoyle was born in England and his family migrated to Sydney in 1849. His father was a nurseryman and he established two nurseries on his arrival in Sydney. William acquired an interest in botany and collected specimens on trips to northern NSW and Queensland, some of which he sent to Mueller in Melbourne to identify. In 1868 he joined a scientific expedition to the South Sea islands before growing sugar and tobacco near the Tweed River.
In July 1873 Guilfoyle was appointed curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and by the time he retired from this position in 1909 he had transformed them into gardens of world-wide repute. He replaced Mueller whose primary interest lay in the scientific aspects of the gardens at the expense of the aesthetic and recreational aspects. Guilfoyle proceeded to design the gardens with sweeping lawns, extensive plantings and picturesque built forms and in this way created panoramic vistas within the gardens. He also managed the cultivated land at Government House and land in the outer Domain, and designed several regional botanic gardens and private gardens.
In addition to his practical landscape gardening pursuits, Guilfoyle continued botanical studies and produced published works including the First Book of Australian Botany in 1874.
Guilfoyle earned his reputation as a brilliant, original and practical landscaper in Victoria, particularly through his extensive and influential work at the Botanic Gardens.
Carlo Catani (1852-1918)
[based on Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by Ronald McNicoll]
Carlo Catani was born in Italy in 1852 and trained as a civil engineer before working in railway construction. In 1876 Catani and two colleagues migrated first to New Zealand and then to Australia. The three Italian men joined the Department of Lands and Survey as draftsmen and in 1880 Catani was registered as a surveyor. Transferred to the Public Works Department in 1882, Catani was employed as an engineering draftsman, and as an assistant engineer in 1886. As head of his section, he directed the draining of the Koo-Wee-Rup swamp in Gippsland. In 1896 he was in charge of the widening and improvement of the Yarra River upstream from Princes Bridge and the scope of the project were greatly enlarged at his urging. It included the design and construction of Alexandra Parade, river bank works to the Cremorne railway bridge, and the laying out and planting of the Alexandra Gardens on the banks of the Yarra River.
Other works that Catani was involved with include the roads to Arthur's Seat and Mt Donna Buang, the Mt Buffalo Plateau development and the damming of the Eurobin Creek to form the lake that bears his name. His last major work was the reclamation of the St Kilda foreshore and the design of the Catani Gardens.
Hugh Linaker (1872-1938)
Hugh Linaker was born in Ballarat in 1872 and began his career in 1889 as an apprentice to the Ballarat Town Council. In 1901 he was appointed curator of Parks and Gardens for the Municipality of Ararat. In this position he landscaped the area known as Alexandra Park and his work was highly regarded in the community. In 1912 Linaker was appointed landscape gardener for the Mont Park Hospital for the Insane and his role included giving advice to other similar institutions such as Yarra Bend, Kew, Ararat, Beechworth, Sunbury, Ballarat and Royal Park. Work began on the 1200 acre site at Mont Park in 1910.
Linaker was appointed Superintendent of Parks and Gardens for Victoria in the early 1930s and in this role he was involved in a number of planting schemes including that of the Shrine of Remembrance and the enlarged King's Domain in 1933. These were his largest and most ambitious projects. He was also involved with the design of such public spaces as Buchan Caves Reserve, Castlemaine Botanic Gardens and Princes Park, Maryborough; private work such as Burnham Beeches for the Alfred Nicholas family and various road reserves in Victoria.
HISTORY OF PLACE
In 1839 the first surveyors described the area south of the Yarra as "hilly forest land - thin of trees". When Charles Joseph La Trobe arrived in 1839 as Superintendent of the Port Phillip District he found that brickmakers, quarrymen and woodcutters were causing "great detriment" to the land south of the Yarra River and he restricted the brickmakers to nine hectares in the vicinity of Princes Bridge. The land was swampy and subsequently became scarred by brickmakers' pits that became lagoons.
The high ground overlooking the Yarra was reserved in 1841 as parkland for a future vice-regal residence. Together with the Royal Botanic Gardens, set aside in 1846, the area consisted of 121 hectares. A "canvas town" grew up on the higher ground south of the Yarra following the gold rush population explosion in the early 1950s. The Government built a number of shelters to house the immigrants on the high ground adjacent to St Kilda Road. After a short time these buildings were used for other purposes.
In 1853 Ferdinand von Mueller was appointed government botanist and commenced the National Herbarium. In 1857 Mueller became Director of the Botanic Gardens and under his direction the Botanic Gardens embarked on a scientific program, introducing foreign plants from other parts of Australia and overseas. Many plants and animals were acclimatised for scientific research and education. Mueller was instrumental in supporting the establishment of regional Botanic Gardens and parks by providing many plants and advice, resulting in an exceptional collection of nineteenth century Botanic Gardens and plants in Victoria.
Control of the Domain was vested in the Board of Land and Works in 1857. However, soon after Mueller was appointed Director of the Botanic Gardens, he asked for temporary control of the land and commenced improvements to transform the reserve between the Gardens and Princes Bridge into a public park. He gradually extended the area under his charge to include all the land bounded by the Yarra River, St Kilda Road, Domain Road and Anderson Street. Mueller envisaged the Domain as an exotic pine forest interspersed with hundreds of Cordyline and groups of palms for contrast, providing dramatic views from the city. A large variety of both exotic and indigenous trees were planted in Mueller's attempt to transform the whole reserve into a park. His work included the conversion of one of the largest quarries into a rockery and fern gully, the provision of Domain Drive across the parkland and the beautification of the lagoons near Princes Bridge.
During this time some areas of the Domain were set aside for other uses, both temporary and permanent. A site was reserved in 1861 for the Observatory and this was extended and permanently reserved in 1868 when a new equatorial telescope was installed. Houses for the Government Astronomer and Assistant Astronomer were built south west of the observatory in 1863 and a botanical museum was built to the south of the observatory. Adjacent land on the corner of St Kilda and Domain Roads was set aside for a military hospital, however this was never built and a large residence constructed in 1866. This three hectare property, which became known as The Grange, was acquired by the government in 1912, the house demolished and the site reserved as public parkland. In 1914 the astronomer's residence was relocated from the Grange site to the stables area in the Domain for garden staff quarters. Mueller also had a botanical museum built south of the observatory for his collections and gardeners' houses were built in the old quarries.
Timber stables were constructed in late 1859 in the southern reserve of the Domain to accommodate camels for the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition of 1860 and as part of the zoo collection housed at the Gardens. However, the camels were housed instead at the Parliament House stables, and then Royal Park, the expedition's departure point. The collection of the Zoological Society of Victoria was relocated to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens in 1860. The stables were used to house horses belonging to the Gardens and for storage and later as an office.
Largely due to his scientific and educational approach to converting the Domain to a grand forest, Mueller met with a great deal of criticism from the public, the press and a Board of Inquiry. As a result he was asked to resign as Director of the Gardens in 1873, although he retained his post as Government Botanist until his death in 1896.
In 1873 William Guilfoyle was appointed curator of the Gardens, Government House Reserve and the Domain. A design competition had been held in 1872 for the construction of Government House which included an ornamental park for the vice-regal residence and public parkland in the rest of the Domain. None of the submitted schemes won, but a subsequent design by Caulfield resident Joseph Sayce was modified and adopted. Government House was constructed in 1872-76.
Dismissed three months after his appointment, Sayce was replaced by Guilfoyle who took over the implementation of Sayce's plan and made modifications. This modified plan saw the completion of a new road from St Kilda Road to South Yarra in 1874, known as South Yarra Drive (renamed Birdwood Avenue in 1939), the establishment of Government House Drive and the planting of avenues of trees to line these roads and their paths. Government House grounds were enclosed and developed and the lagoon near Princes Bridge was formed into a modified version of the lake layout proposed by Sayce, requiring construction of a river embankment. Islands in the lake were planted with large trees and shrubs. Many trees planted by Mueller were transplanted within the reserve to relieve overcrowding and open up vistas, a nursery was established near The Grange and a service road constructed which later became Dallas Brooks Drive. In 1880 1200 trees and shrubs were planted in Government House grounds and the Domain.
Major developments were undertaken in the northern sections of the Domain Parklands from 1896. Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, was involved in these developments, the first of which was to straighten, deepen and widen adjacent sections of the Yarra River to control flooding. Catani was involved in many large projects, including the development of Mount Buffalo as a tourist resort and reclamation works along the St Kilda foreshore.
Excavated material from the Yarra was subsequently used to fill the lagoons and raise the level of low lying land on the south bank. In 1901 provision was made for the construction of a public road, Alexandra Avenue, on reclaimed land along the southern bank of the river between Anderson Street and St Kilda Road. Its innovative design by Catani featured four separate lanes for carriages, horses, bicycles and pedestrians across its 200 foot width. The equestrian lane, the southern-most track, was the original 'Tan', and was 1.6 kilometres in length between Anderson Street and St Kilda Road. The sections of roadway were separated by plantations edged with large rocks and planted with avenues of oaks, elms, planes and silver poplars. The Duke of York (later King George V) opened the new boulevard which was named in honour of his mother, Queen Alexandra, wife of the new king, Edward VII.
Another road, named Linlithgow Avenue in 1924, was formed around the boundary of the Government House Reserve, joining the newly formed Alexandra Avenue and the existing South Yarra Drive. The reserve incorporating these new roads was named Alexandra Park and included the areas now known as Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Toms Block and land along Alexandra Avenue.
Alexandra Gardens themselves were laid out in c.1902-4, probably to Catani's design. They featured a star-shaped flowerbed which was used for floral displays and may have symbolised the Federation Star, a popular emblem after Federation in 1901.
A feature of Catani's designs was rockwork which he used to delineate public open spaces by forming planting beds to define roadway sections and also as a form of ornamentation. Rockeries were used in the newly developed Alexandra Gardens and at either end of Linlithgow Avenue in the form of fountains. The latter were of concrete and volcanic boulder construction.
Boat houses were established along the Yarra River and by 1895 six buildings were located to the east of the existing boat sheds. The earliest of the still extant boat houses, Melbourne University Boat Club Shed was built in 1908, after the Alexandra Gardens had been laid out. The Henley Lawn developed to the east of the boat houses once the Henley Regatta became a popular annual rowing event from 1904, and this was laid out with a symmetrical path system by 1911. The Military Engineers' Depot, was located in between and relocated in the mid-1930s. The Engineers Lawn subsequently became a popular place to stage events. A kiosk was built facing Henley Lawn in 1927 and this was demolished in 1990.
After Queen Victoria's death in 1901, a triangular site near the new Alexandra Gardens was chosen as the location for her memorial statue (VHR H0369) and this was unveiled in 1907. The Melbourne City Council appointed a committee which included Carlo Catani to design the surrounding Queen Victoria Gardens, which was the only major garden to be developed by the Council. Much of the land was low lying, with extensive filling required before work could commence, and the subsequent design included a lake and island. The development of the Gardens was not completed until 1913 when the existing Immigrants Home was demolished and the two acre area it occupied incorporated into the Gardens. After the death of philanthropist Lady Janet Clarke in 1909, subscriptions were called for an ornamental bandstand to be built in her honour. The classical style rotunda was designed as part of a competition won by architect Herbert Black and was built at the edge of the Gardens next to Linlithgow Avenue and opened in 1913. Following the death of Edward VII in 1910, Bertram MacKennal was commissioned to execute a large equestrian statue of the monarch and this was unveiled in 1920 on the site of the original Immigrants' Home. The planting scheme in these gardens included the use of a variety of native trees and shrubs. A late 19th century drinking fountain was relocated from the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Street, firstly to the eastern section of Alexandra Gardens and later to the Queen Victoria Gardens.
In 1904 a South Africa Memorial (VHR H0382) was erected in St Kilda Road, near its existing location at the southern end of the Alexandra Gardens. Designed by the architect George De Lacy Evans and commemorating Australian troops serving in the Boer War, this was the first of many memorials established in honour of Australian servicemen in this vicinity. To the south of this memorial, opposite the entrance to Government House, a statue of the first Governor General of Australia (1901-02) and Governor of Victoria (1889-1895), the Marquis of Linlithgow (VHR H0366), was erected in 1911.
The demolition of The Grange at the corner of St Kilda Road and Domain Road in 1912 enabled this land to be integrated into the Domain. After the First World War a cricket ground was established on the eastern part of the site and Melbourne Grammar funded construction of an oval.
With the exception of two small areas, the Alexandra Park Act 1904 vested c19 hectares bounded by St Kilda Road, the river, Anderson Street, the Botanic Gardens, Government House Reserve, the Domain cow paddock and the approach to Government House gates, in the Board of Land and Works and the Melbourne City Council. In 1922 Melbourne City Council assumed management of Alexandra Park through its Parks and Gardens Committee and responsibility for the park drives was given to the City Engineer.
A major development in the inter-war period was the establishment of the Shrine of Remembrance (H0848) on a triangular area of land in the south west corner of the Domain. Constructed between 1927 and 1934, the Shrine features strong axial north-south and east-west roadways and diagonal paths leading to and from the memorial, with plantings playing an important symbolic role. The MacPherson Robertson Fountain was constructed in the Shrine Reserve at the corner of Domain and St Kilda Roads.
In contrast to the well maintained Alexandra and Queen Victoria Gardens, the northern section of the Domain had been largely neglected when in 1933 provision was made for the Domain and the surrounds of the Shrine of Remembrance to be laid out as public gardens and their control handed to the Council. At this time 17 hectares of the Government House Reserve adjoining the Shrine, and north-east to Alexandra Avenue, were added to the Domain and this 31 hectare park became known as the King's Domain.
The State Superintendent for Parks and Gardens from 1933, Hugh Linaker, designed the King's Domain as informal parkland with avenue plantings, winding pathways and lawn areas with scattered specimen trees. Ornamental shrubbery beds were restricted to boundary treatment to Government House and the Observatory sites. Linaker continued a scattered use of specimen trees in his Shrine landscape design, but with a more formal approach either side of the approaches to the building. A fountain was installed near the corner of St Kilda and Domain Roads as part of Linaker's scheme. Two 'Birdwood Avenue' signs were installed at either end of this road which was renamed in 1939. The 'Tan' equestrian track was extended along Linlithgow Avenue and Birdwood Avenue to the Shrine in 1935 to an overall length of 2.4 kilometres. At this time it was used by up to 200 horse riders on weekends. 19th century tea rooms on Alexandra Avenue were demolished and replaced with eleven rock cairns to define the area used by horses and a concrete horse trough in 1936.
The development of King's Domain in 1933-35 included two features on original stone quarry sites. These were a grotto, fern gully and waterfall near the botanic gardens and stone bridge with arbour seats and pond to the north of the King's Domain site. Both include distinctive rockwork, bridges and water features. The Pioneer Women's Garden was also constructed near an old quarry in the north east of the King's Domain in 1934-36 to a design by Linaker. It was funded by the Women's Centenary Council to commemorate the State's pioneer women as part of Melbourne's Centenary celebrations in 1935 and took the form of a sunken garden with pool and semi-spherical grotto.
The new work was an incentive to remove buildings no longer needed, including the botanical museum. A large shelter was built in 1937 to a design by Frank Stapley to take advantage of views across the skyline and in 1933 a substation was constructed in Domain Road.
Developments after World War Two included: the remodelling of the northern forecourt to the Shrine to accommodate the Second World War memorial; the establishment of a Peace Garden on 1.5 hectares in King's Domain and the construction of two entrance arbours; the construction of a memorial to Sir John Monash, unveiled in 1950 at the corner of Birdwood Avenue (formerly South Yarra Drive) and Government House Drive, a memorial to George V, located in the Domain facing St Kilda Road completed in 1952 and a memorial to Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey at the corner of Government House Drive and Linlithgow Avenue in 1960.
The original concept of Alexandra Park was lost when Alexandra Avenue and Linlithgow Avenue were proclaimed public highways in 1958. Further alienation occurred when Alexandra Avenue was reconstructed to pass under St Kilda Road in 1970 and portions of the former tan track, bicycle and pedestrian paths were excised.
In 1959 the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (H1772) was constructed on a 1.5 hectare site in the northern section of King's Domain. This required extensive excavation and grading, and the construction of associated facilities. An upgrade in 1989 absorbed more of the surrounding parkland. The prefabricated La Trobe's cottage was relocated to the Domain parklands in 1963 and relocated within the parklands in 1999. A floral clock was installed in the Queen Victoria Gardens in 1966. The 'Tan' was extended and redeveloped in 1974 into a 3.8 kilometre jogging and walking circuit with extensions along Birdwood Avenue and Anderson Street.
The construction of the Arts Centre in St Kilda Road in the 1960s, increased visitation to the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite and an upgrade occurred as a result. The lakes were remodelled and re-landscaped and a series of sculptures were installed in the 1970s.
A number of other statues, memorials and sculptures have been added throughout the vast site over a period of time. These include the Aboriginal Reburial Stone, installed in 1985, with the remains of thirty-eight Aboriginal people interred under the large granite memorial boulder.
REFERENCES:
P Jellie and G Whitehead. 'A Landscape History of the Melbourne Domain. 1992
J Patrick Pty Ltd in association with Allom Lovell & Associates Pty Ltd. 'Domain Parklands Conservation Analysis'. 2003 [for City of Melbourne]
G Whitehead. Civilising the City, a History of Melbourne's Public Gardens. Melbourne 1997
Australian Dictionary of Biography, various editions
DOMAIN PARKLANDS - Assessment Against Criteria
a. Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history
The Domain Parklands has important associations with the early settlement of Melbourne and the foundation of British colonial administration in Victoria. A number of buildings on the site are illustrative of the variety of activities that took place within the parklands.
b. Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria's cultural history.
The Domain Parklands feature plants from many genera which are rare or uncommon, and are outstanding examples of their species. Ulmus is a species of international value due to widespread loss in the northern hemisphere due to Dutch Elm Disease. The Cupressus cultivars, Schinus terebinthifolius, Grevillea hilliana, Alectryon excelsus, Syncarpia glomifera, Rapanea howittiana, Juniperus virginiana and Elaeodendron croceum are rarely grown in Victoria.
c. Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria's cultural history.
The Domain Parklands has the potential to contain historical archaeological deposits, features and/or objects associated with previous activities and uses.
This may include archaeological material associated with such sites as the former Immigrants' Home and the Engineers' Depot.
d. Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places or environments.
A small number of buildings and structures in the Domain Parklands are of architectural note, including the Janet Lady Clarke Memorial, the Electricity Substation, the Stapely Pavilion and the Melbourne Grammar Boat House.
e. Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.
The Domain Parklands is of aesthetic importance for its extensive scale and collection of landscape styles and features. The Domain has contrasting informal and formal areas, layers of 19th and 20th century character and features such as statuary, monuments, numerous vistas and views and picturesque boulevards and avenues, including Alexandra Avenue with its innovative design. Landmark views include the view of the Yarra River from Alexandra Avenue, glimpses of the tower of Government House and the view of the Shrine from Swanston Street and St Kilda Road.
f. Importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.
g. Strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. This includes the significance of a place to Indigenous peoples as part of their continuing and developing cultural traditions.
The Domain Parklands is of social significance for the highly valued recreational role it holds for Melbourne residents and visitors, as a key venue for walking, cycling, rowing, jogging along the "Tan", and the setting for major outdoor events such as concerts at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Anzac Day ceremonies, the Moomba Festival and rowing regattas.
The Aboriginal reburial site is of social significance to the Aboriginal community as a commemorative site of remembrance. The unprovenanced skeletal remains represent 38 Victorian Aboriginal tribes.
h. Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria's history.
The Domain Parklands has an association with Ferdinand von Mueller, Government Botanist (1853-96) and first Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens (1857-73), who established the initial layout and planting of the Domain. The Domain has an association with William Guilfoyle, Mueller's successor as Director who was responsible for the late 19th century layout and planting of the Domain and Government House to Joseph Sayce's plan. The Domain has associations with Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, who was the main influence in the design of Alexandra Avenue, Alexandra Gardens and the Queen Victoria Gardens and Hugh Linaker, prolific public landscape designer in Victoria. The Domain has a strong association with important figures associated with Victoria's history including a number of monarchs with memorial statues of Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George IV and the first Governor General, the Marquis of Linlithgow. Other statues of important figures in Victorian history include Sir John Monash, Field Marshall Thomas Albert Blamey and Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop.
DOMAIN PARKLANDS - Plaque Citation
These extensive parklands are the result of several developments overlaid on the original reserve, designed by important Victorian figures Ferdinand von Mueller (1860s), William Guilfoyle (1870s), Carlo Catani (1900s) and Hugh Linaker (1930s).
DOMAIN PARKLANDS - 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 plan, all works shall be in accordance with it.A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan provides 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.
Landscape:* The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, annual bedding displays and Floral Clock planting, removal and replanting dead or diseased plants (excluding trees) to retain the historic landscape character, disease and weed control, fertilising and mulching, and maintenance to care for plants and lawns..
* Replanting the same plant species, or an approved species, in the same location or area, which conserves the significant landscape character and values including specimen trees and palms, avenues, rows, shrubberies, rose and flower beds, ferns and lawns.
* Removal of dead or dangerous trees and emergency tree works to maintain public safety and to protect buildings and structures providing the Executive Director is notified within 21 days of the removal or works occurring...
* Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of Amenity Trees AS 4373-1996.
* Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Protection of Trees on Development Sites AS 4970-2009.
* Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or services, outside the canopy edge of significant trees in accordance with AS4970 and on the condition that works do not impact on archaeological features or deposits.
* Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
* Vegetation protection and management of possums and vermin.
* All works to maintain the existing roadway and road safety including road maintenance, kerb and channel repairs, road marking and traffic signs.
Hard landscaping:* Repairs and maintenance to hard landscape elements, structures, sculptures, statues, memorials, rockwork, steps, paths, gutters, drainage and irrigation systems, edging, fences and gates and lighting.
* All works to maintain the existing roadway and road safety including road maintenance, kerb and channel repairs, road marking, speed humps, pedestrian refuges and splitter islands within the existing roadway, and the installation of pedestrian crossings, traffic signs, signals, fire hydrants, parking meters and post boxes.
Buildings and Structures (including Features):Buildings, Structures and Features not specified in the extent of registration
* Works, including demolition or removal and internal modification (but not additions) to non-registered buildings on registered land.
* Repainting previously painted surfaces in the same colour.
Buildings, Structures and features specified in the extent of registration
Exterior*Minor repairs and maintenance.
* Removal of extraneous items such as external lighting, air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, flues, wiring, antennae, aerials, fly screens etc. and making good
* Painting of previously painted external fabric with same colour.
* Conservation works, including treatments to stabilise and protect timber, metal and masonry structures, cleaning and other classes of conservation works, providing they are undertaken with appropriate specialist advice.
Interior* Interior works to the registered buildings are permit exempt providing such work has no effect on the exterior of the buildings.
Events:* All events and associated infrastructure that have no impact on buildings, structures and features, trees and beds, and is outside the tree protection zone are permitted for a period of up to 14 days.
* Events of a longer period or having the potential to impact on trees, beds, lawns, buildings and features will require the submission of a management plan to be approved by the Executive Director. In this case the event would normally be considered under the Minor Works provisions of the permit exemptions and s66(3) Heritage Act 1995.
Park furniture:* Installation of standard City of Melbourne park furniture, including seats, bins, signage, bollards, lights and drinking fountains outside tree protection zone, monument and statue settings and significant view lines.
*Within Rotary Park, installation of plaques to identify commemorative trees, in the same style as those currently in use.
In accordance with s92(3) of the Heritage Act 2017, permit exemption issued by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria on 4 January 2023 (P37332):- Installation of temporary events and structures associated with the City of Melbourne's 'Moomba Festival' for up to 35 calendar days (within one calendar year) inclusive of bump in and bump out, with no further structures erected in the same location for a period of 7 calendar days for hard stand surfaces, or 14 days for turf surfaces.
- Installation of temporary events and structures associated with one annual arts festival event of up to 45 calendar days (within one calendar year) inclusive of bump in and bump out, with no further structures erected in the same location for a period of 7 calendar days for hard stand surfaces, or 14 days for turf surfaces.
- The following temporary event infrastructure can be installed for both events listed above:
- The installation of temporary structures, such as marquees, tents, market stalls, display cases and furniture, gazebos, and shipping containers.
- The installation of temporary freestanding services associated with events, including generators and associated service cabling.
- The installation of temporary freestanding audio-visual and broadcasting equipment, including temporary staging, flooring, rigging, screens, speakers, lighting and associated infrastructure.
- The erection of temporary freestanding scaffolding towers, projectors and infrastructure associated with lightshows and projections onto, or into airspace within the extent of registration of registered places and objects.
- The installation of temporary freestanding artworks.
- The installation of freestanding temporary recreation and entertainment facilities, equipment and structures, such as jumping castles, amusement rides, and sporting equipment.
- The installation of temporary decorations, such as decorative lights, bunting, tinsel, cut floral arrangements, freestanding garden beds and the like.
- The installation of equipment and infrastructure associated with firework, laser and drone displays.
- The parking, installation and operation of temporary micro-tenancies, such as food trucks and coffee carts.
- The installation of temporary furniture, including tables, desks, chairs, umbrellas and the like.
- Installation of temporary portable toilets.
- Installation of temporary operational, promotional, directional and wayfinding signage.
- Installation of temporary surveillance systems.
- The erection of freestanding fencing structures associated with temporary events
- The following exemption conditions apply to both events:
- Works and activities must be entirely reversible, and not involve damage to, or removal or disturbance of, early or original fabric , including landscape features such as historical planting schemes, paths and ground-surface masonry, built structures (including interiors and exterior elements), or historical archaeological remains.
- Temporary structures and associated elements exempted must be freestanding and not involve new penetrations into or affixings to early or original fabric.
- There must be no subfloor/subsurface/excavation works or activities.
- Cabling and associated service conduits must not be affixed to early or original fabric.
- Outdoor temporary structures must not be positioned within a structural root zone, or within two metres of garden beds.
- Works or activities within tree protection zones must be in accordance with a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
- Outdoor temporary structures are exempt within tree protection zones only if works and activities are undertaken in accordance with a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
- In tree protection zones the method of affixing temporary outdoor structures to the ground must be in accordance with advice provided by a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
- Any works or activities involving the attachment of temporary decorations, artworks or lights to trees must be guided by a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
- Plant and equipment access must use existing paths and access routes where possible. Existing paths and access routes must not be damaged, widened or extended.
- Tree canopy and fragile surfaces such as turf, soft landscaping, timber flooring and groundsurface masonry (excluding concrete or asphalt), must be protected from temporary structures and associated installation activities (for example the use of sleepers, boards, track matting or other ground protection). Vehicles must not use access routes through floorboarded, decked or tiled locations.
- All works and activities must comply with the internal and external engineering and loading requirements of the place.
- Any area(s) impacted by works and activities must be fully remediated to its previous condition within 28 calendar days of removal of temporary structures.
- The existing specific exemption for events of up to 14 days applies to Domain Parklands in addition to the current specific exemption related to events.
DOMAIN PARKLANDS - Permit Exemption Policy
PERMIT POLICYThe purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to the place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing any proposed works will assist in answering any questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.
The extent of registration protects the whole site. The addition of new buildings and structures to the site may impact upon the cultural heritage significance of the place and requires a permit. The purpose of this requirement is not to prevent any further development on this site, but to enable control of possible adverse impacts on heritage significance during that process. All of the registered buildings and structures contribute to the significance of the place and any external alterations are subject to permit application.
The importance of the Domain Parklands lies primarily in its layers of development and planting which combine to create a cultural landscape of considerable individuality and diversity. The conservation and management of the Domain Parklands should retain the significant historic landscape character and may be guided by the detailed study 'Domain Parklands Conservation Analysis' undertaken by John Patrick Pty Ltd in association with Allom Lovell & Associates Pty Ltd in 2003. It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is undertaken to assist with the future management of the cultural significance of the place.
Where below ground works are proposed at the Domain Parklands it may be necessary to obtain a permit. It is likely that some level of archaeological monitoring or investigation will be needed.
The addition of new memorials or statues to the Domain Parklands would require a permit and should take into account the location of established pathways and plantings. The installation of plaques and memorials should refer to the policy at: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au.
The Aboriginal Reburial Stone is of particular importance to the Aboriginal community and it is recommended that before a permit is sought for any work in proximity to this site, the office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria should be consulted to confirm whether or not the activity requires a Cultural Heritage Management Plan under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
All works associated with the staging of events must comply with the Melbourne Event Planning Guide, December 2011, available at: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au.
-
-
-
-
-
RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0513
-
RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0514
-
FORMER GRAND RANK CABMAN'S SHELTERVictorian Heritage Register H0849
-
'Boonderoo', House and OutbuildingsGreater Bendigo City
-
'Riverslea' houseGreater Bendigo City
-
1 Adam StreetYarra City
-
-