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BELLEVILLE
350 RYRIE STREET GEELONG, GREATER GEELONG CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.
Victorian Heritage Register
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
BELLEVILLE SOHE 2008
h01188 1 belleville ryrie street geelong front view she project 2004
belleville ryrie street geelong front door billiard room she project 2004
belleville ryrie street geelong fback stables she project 2004
belleville ryrie street geelong stables she project 2004
belleville ryrie street geelong carving front door she project 2004
h01188 bellville ryrie street geelong front view aug1995
h01188 plan h1188
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

Belleville was constructed in 1870-71 for notable Geelong surgeon Dr David Boswell Reid, with the billiard room being added in 1874. It was designed by the prolific Geelong-based firm of Scottish architects, Davidson and Henderson. It is a two storey polychromatic brick villa with gabled slate roof and dressings and ornamental carvings in Waurn Ponds freestone. The house has a small cellar. There is a dichromatic brick wash house directly behind the house, with its original hand pump connected to the underground water storage well in the adjoining courtyard area, and a substantial timber stables building on the rear boundary.

How is it significant?

Belleville is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

Belleville is important as an extraordinary example of the work of prolific and talented architects Davidson and Henderson for its skilful use of polychromatic brickwork and ornamental Waurn Ponds freestone. Belleville, a substantial and largely intact brick villa, also retains its original outbuildings and fence. It is also important for its construction technology in being an early use of cavity wall construction. Belleville demonstrates outstanding decoration in plasterwork, particularly the billiard room and the cornices; in its innovative use of decorative cast iron combined with timber in the fence and staircase; and in the combination of polychromatic brickwork combined with ornamental carvings in Waurn Ponds freestone.

Belleville is important for its association with notable Geelong surgeon Dr David Boswell Reid for whom it was built. His father, also a doctor who practised in Edinburgh, was famous in his day for inventing a system of ventilating buildings which was installed at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster. This ventilation system was installed in Synot's Geelong wool stores, Reid having married George Synot's daughter.

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    • History

      BELLEVILLE - History

      Associated People: Owner DAVID BOSWELL REID;

      Permit Exemptions

      BELLEVILLE - 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 the Executive Director 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 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 approved by the Executive Director, all works shall be in accordance with it. Note: The existence of a Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan endorsed by Heritage Victoria 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 declaration prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this declaration exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Regular Site Maintenance : The following site maintenance works are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) regular site maintenance provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the maintenance of an item to retain its conditions or operation without the removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the introduction of new materials; c) cleaning including the removal of surface deposits, organic growths, or graffiti by the use of low pressure water and natural detergents and mild brushing and scrubbing; d) repairs, conservation and maintenance to plaques, memorials, roads and paths, fences and gates and drainage and irrigation. e) the replacement of existing services such as cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire services that uses existing routes, conduits or voids, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric. Note: Surface patina which has developed on the fabric may be an important part of the item’s significance and if so needs to be preserved during maintenance and cleaning. Note: Any new materials used for repair must not exacerbate the decay of existing fabric due to chemical incompatibility, obscure existing fabric or limit access to existing fabric for future maintenance. Repair must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. Fire Suppression Duties : The following fire suppression duties are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) Fire suppression and fire fighting duties provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) Fire suppression activities such as fuel reduction burns, and fire control line construction, provided all significant historical and archaeological features are appropriately recognised and protected; Note: Fire management authorities should be aware of the location, extent and significance of historical and archaeological places when developing fire suppression and fire fighting strategies. The importance of places listed in the Heritage Register must be considered when strategies for fire suppression and management are being developed. Public Safety and Security : The following public safety and security activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) public safety and security activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the erection of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety which will not adversely affect significant fabric of the place including archaeological features; c) development including emergency stabilisation necessary to secure safety where a site feature has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and represents a safety risk to its users or the public. Note: Urgent or emergency site works are to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified specialist such as a structural engineer, or other heritage professional. Signage and Site Interpretation : The following Signage and Site Interpretation activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) signage and site interpretation activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground structures or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) the erection of non-illuminated signage for the purpose of ensuring public safety or to assist in the interpretation of the heritage significance of the place or object and which will not adversely affect significant fabric including landscape or archaeological features of the place or obstruct significant views of and from heritage values or items; c) signage and site interpretation products must be located and be of a suitable size so as not to obscure or damage significant fabric of the place; d) signage and site interpretation products must be able to be later removed without causing damage to the significant fabric of the place; Note: The development of signage and site interpretation products must be consistent in the use of format, text, logos, themes and other display materials. Note: Where possible, the signage and interpretation material should be consistent with other schemes developed on similar or associated sites. It may be necessary to consult with land managers and other stakeholders concerning existing schemes and strategies for signage and site interpretation. Mineral Exploration : The following Mineral Exploration activities are permit exempt under section 66 of the Heritage Act 1995, a) mineral Exploration activities provided the works do not involve the removal or destruction of any significant above-ground features or sub-surface archaeological artefacts or deposits; b) preliminary non-intrusive exploration, including geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical sampling and access to shafts and adits; c) advanced forms of exploration (drilling), including the location of drill pads and access tracks where this has been the subject of on-site negotiation and agreement with representatives of Heritage Victoria, DSE and Parks Victoria, and where all significant historic site features have been identified and protected as part of an approved work plan. Interior painting / wall-papering to walls and ceilings, provided the
      preparation work for painting / papering does not remove evidence of the
      building's original paint or other decorative scheme.

      Removal of existing carpets / flexible floor coverings eg vinyl.

      Installation of carpets and flexible floor coverings

      Installation of curtain track, rod, blinds .

      REFURBISHMENT OF BATHROOMS, TOILETS, KITCHENS

      Refurbishment of bathroom /toilet / ensuite including removal of existing
      sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, and wall and floor
      coverings, and installation of new fixtures, and wall and floor coverings .

      Removal of existing kitchen benches and fixtures (stoves, dishwashers etc.)
      and floor coverings and installation of new kitchen benches and fixtures,
      including associated plumbing and wiring.

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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