FOOTSCRAY PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE

160 GORDON STREET FOOTSCRAY, MARIBYRNONG CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

Fmr Psychiatric Hospital - Footscray.jpg

Statement of Significance

• Other Records For This Place
  • Footscray Psychiatric Centre - National Trust
• Additional Place Information

  • History

    FOOTSCRAY PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE - History

    Mental health treatment in Victoria 

    In nineteenth-century Victoria, the response to mental illness was characterised by large asylums and hospitals, often removed from population centres. In the early twentieth century, modes of treatment and the nature of institutions changed but government support for services was intermittent. The response to mental illness shifted after the conclusion of World War II. Government responsibility and funding for mental health grew, and treatment within the community, rather than large psychiatric hospitals, gradually emerged as a preferred approach. This approach was aided by developments in pharmaceutical treatment, and the growing role of psychiatry. A different kind of institution was required for community-based treatment and smaller facilities emerged, providing outpatient and rehabilitation services alongside accommodation services for short-term stays. This phase, known as deinstitutionalisation, saw the number of patients in psychiatric hospitals reduced by a third between 1963 and 1973. It culminated in the closure of large psychiatric hospitals and other mental health facilities throughout the 1990s. 
    
    

    The Mental Health Authority 

    After public criticisms of the Mental Health Department in the 1940s, the Victorian Government established an enquiry into the mental health system which found improvements were needed in many areas. In 1950, the new Mental Hygiene Authority Act was proclaimed and a new authority with responsibility for psychiatric hospitals was proposed. In 1952 the Mental Hygiene Authority was established and later renamed the Mental Health Authority. Its first Chairman was the prominent British psychiatrist Dr E. Cunningham Dax. Dr Dax was Chairman of the authority until 1969 and in that time ushered in major changes in the provision of mental health services in Victoria. The influence of Dr Dax has been recognised by the inclusion of the Cunningham Dax Collection in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H2201). Staff training, conditions and patient ratios were a focus of reform for the Mental Health Authority, alongside updating infrastructure and providing new facilities where people could access treatment with their community. The reduction of resident populations in larger and older hospitals was a key goal for the commission and one that was well underway by the 1970s. In 1975 the Health Commission was formed, and the Mental Health Authority was eventually integrated with the new body. 
    
    

    Footscray Hospital 

    In 1920 a committee known as the Hospital Movement formed in the Footscray area to campaign for the establishment of a local public hospital. In c.1921 the committee raised £2500 from community funds to purchase the two-hectare site for the hospital. The Charities Board subsequently refused to grant permission to establish a hospital on the site. Around 1930, the Hospital Movement opted to instead open its own Outpatients’ and Welfare Centre on the site. In 1947 construction began on the new Footscray and District Hospital. On 27 June 1953 Lady Violet Brooks, wife of Governor Sir Dallas Brooks, officially opened the Hospital with 3,000 people in attendance. It was the first fully airconditioned hospital in Victoria and was lauded for its modern facilities. In 1972 it was renamed the Western General Hospital and went through a number of other name changes and amalgamations with other health services. In 2014 the hospital became known as Footscray Hospital again and remains part of the Western Health network. 
    
    

    Brutalist architecture 

    The architectural style known as Brutalism emerged in Europe after the Second World War. The word Brutalism is drawn from the phrase ‘beton brut’ meaning raw concrete. Beton brut was first used in the 1950s by prominent Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier to describe his emerging approach to building design which favoured the honest use of construction materials, notably concrete, and the highlighting of building structures and services rather than hiding them. This approach to design and use of building materials became influential throughout Europe and internationally. The term Brutalism, or New Brutalism, was coined in England to describe this new approach to architecture that had both an ethical and aesthetic concern with the honest use of materials and social responsiveness at its core. Typically, Brutalist buildings were assertive, and featured powerful, blocky forms and were honest about their use, construction and materials. The style was a departure from the sleekness, lightness and minimalism of other strands of twentiethcentury design. 
    
    

    Brutalist architecture in Victoria 

    Brutalist architecture first appeared in Australia in the 1960s. It was a style suited to institutional buildings, and the first examples appeared at university campuses. Throughout the 1960s, notable architect Robin Boyd advocated for the adoption of the style in Victoria and in 1968 designed the Brutalist influenced Menzies College at La Trobe University. Influential architects Kevin Borland, Graeme Gunn, Evan Walker and Daryl Jackson also adopted the style for major commissions. Borland and Jackson produced the notable Brutalist design for the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre (VHR H0069), which was constructed in 1969. During the early 1970s, Brutalism became the style of choice for the union movement as evidenced by the Plumbers and Gasfitters Union Building (VHR H2307) and Clyde Cameron College (VHR H2192) and influential within the Public Works Department. The popularity of Brutalism diminished through the 1980s. It is considered a key architectural style of the twentieth century. 
    
    

    Public Works Department 

    The Public Works Department was established in 1855 and was primarily responsible for the construction and maintenance of Victoria’s major public works and buildings. Over its history its responsibilities changed but at various times encompassed the design, building and maintenance of roads and bridges, harbours, cemeteries, government accommodation and major public buildings including asylums. Many prominent architects worked within the Department, and by the late nineteenth century, architectural styles generally followed contemporary taste. The Public Works Department designed the Footscray Psychiatric Centre in the early 1970s, though it is unclear who the original architect(s) were. In December 1987, the Public Works Department was abolished and the Ministry of Housing and Construction was established in its place. 
    
    

    Footscray Psychiatric Centre 

    Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the Mental Health Authority aimed to reduce resident populations in older and larger institutions, regionalise mental health services, and establish smaller centres where people could access treatment within their community. A series of community mental health centres were planned and built across Victoria in this era, and the establishment of an early treatment centre at Footscray was a priority for the Mental Health Authority. In 1973, the Commonwealth Mental Health and Related Service Assistance Program provided funding for eight new community mental health services in Victoria, including Footscray. The Footscray centre was designed to provide early treatment facilities for the inner municipalities of Melbourne’s western region. Construction began in 1974 and was largely completed by late 1976 but the facility did not commence operation until late 1977 with the opening of an outpatient clinic and community mental health service. Alterations and additions were made in the early 1990s to convert the ground floor to a high dependency unit. Beds were closed in the facility from 1993, with staff protesting the closures. The building ceased to function as a psychiatric centre in 1996 and acute psychiatric services were moved to other locations. The building is currently used for storage by Western Hospital. 
    
    KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT 
    Newspaper articles and reports 
    Annual Report of the Mental Health Authority Victoria for the year ended 31 December 1977
    Report of the Mental Health Authority for the year ended 31st December 1976 
    “Psychiatric Staff Act Over Closures” The Age 30 November 1993 
    “Staff Needed for New Psychiatric Centre” The Age 16 May 1992 
    
    Articles and books 
    Chesters, Janice (2005) “Deinstitutionalisation: an Unrealised Desire” Health Sociology Review 
    Goad, Philip (2009) Melbourne Architecture 
    Lewis, Milton (1988) Managing Madness: Psychiatry and Society in Australia 1788-1980
    Robson, Belinda (2008) “From Mental Hygiene to Community Mental Health: Psychiatrists and Victorian Public Administration from the 1940s to 1990s” Provenance 
    Taylor, Jennifer (1986) Australian Architecture Since 1960 
    
    Websites 
    The People’s Hospital: Tales from the surgeon’s table, Remembering the first 60 years of Footscray Hospital http://www.whpeopleshospital.com.au/ 
    Celebrating 60 years of Footscray Hospital http://www.westernhealth.org.au/AboutUs/60_WHF_Anniversary/Pages/Footscray-2010- Present.aspx 
    
    

    Permit Exemptions

    FOOTSCRAY PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE - 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

    Exemptions from the need for a permit under the Act for categories of works and activities that may be carried out in relation to places and objects in the Register can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act). Exemptions from the need for a permit under the Act for categories of works and activities in relation to places and objects can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act).

    General Condition 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 Condition 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.

    General Condition 3
    All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

    General Condition 4
    Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

    General Condition 5
    Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

    Under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act 2017 the Heritage Council may include in its determination categories of works or activities which may be carried out in relation to the place or object without the need for a permit under Part 5 of the Act, if the Heritage Council considers that the works or activities would not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place or object. The following permit exemptions are not considered to cause harm to the cultural heritage significance of the Footscray Psychiatric Centre.

    Categories of works and activities that may be carried out in relation to the Place without the need for a permit under the Act

    Exterior
    The following works do not require a permit provided they do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    - Minor patching, repair and maintenance which replaces like with like without large-scale removal of or damage to the existing fabric or the large-scale introduction of new materials. Repairs must maximise protection and retention of fabric and include the conservation of existing details or elements. 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.
    - Localised repairs and maintenance to the roof to prevent ingress of water.
    - Works to, or removal of, the 1990s verandah on the south elevation except where it intersects with the 1970s fabric
    - Removal of graffiti from concrete elements via non-abrasive methods. No high-pressure hoses or wire brushes etc should be used.
    - Removal of graffiti from metal elements via non-corrosive methods.
    - Removal of or maintenance to existing signage attached to building.
    - Preparation and painting of currently painted surfaces in the same colour, finish and paint type provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of earlier paint schemes.
    - Maintenance, replacement or removal of existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning plant and making good.
    - Maintenance, replacement or removal of existing services such as cabling, pipe work, ducting, plumbing (including downpipes), wiring, security lighting, antennae, aerials and fire services that use existing routes, conduits, voids or attachment points and making good, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric.
    - Works and activities related to control of birds and vermin.

    Interior
    The following works do not require a permit provided they do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.

    - Installation, removal or replacement of safety devices such as detectors, alarms, emergency lights, exit signs, luminaires and the like.
    - Preparation and painting of currently painted surfaces in the same colour, finish and paint type provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of earlier paint or other decorative schemes. No stained or varnished timberwork is to be painted.
    - Removal of paint from originally unpainted surfaces including ceilings, wall panelling, joinery, doors, architraves and skirtings by non-abrasive methods.
    - Removal or replacement of existing services including cabling, plumbing, wiring and fire services that uses existing routes, conduits, voids or attachment points, and does not involve damage to or the removal of significant fabric.
    - Repairs, refitting or rewiring lift cars, motors, equipment and the like.
    - Works and activities related to control of birds and vermin.

    Public safety and security
    The following works do not require a permit provided they do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.
    
    - General maintenance for the purposes of safety and security including the removal of broken glass, the temporary shuttering of windows and doors and covering of holes provided this work is reversible.
    - The erection of temporary security fencing, scaffolding, hoardings, and security or surveillance systems to prevent unauthorised access or secure public safety.
    - Works or activities, including emergency stabilisation, necessary to secure safety where a structure or part of a structure has been irreparably damaged or destabilised and poses a safety risk to its users or the public. If additional damage to significant fabric is required to stabilise and make safe, every attempt must be made to conserve and retain as much significant fabric as possible. The Executive Director, Heritage Victoria must be notified within seven days of the commencement of these works or activities.

    Landscaping
    - The following works do not require a permit provided they do not harm the cultural heritage significance of the place.
    - Maintenance and repairs to existing roads, service roads, driveways and car parks.
    - Installation, removal or maintenance of features required for car park operations such as bollards, speed humps, wheel stops and boom gates.
    - Subsurface works involving the installation, removal or replacement of watering and drainage systems or other services provided there are no visible above ground elements. Landscaping, paving and other surface treatments are to be returned like for like on the completion of works.
    - Erecting, repairing or replacing existing signage (directional signage, road signs, speed signs) and installing new signage which does not obscure heritage fabric. Note: Interpretive signage requires a permit.
    - The processes of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, disease and weed control, maintenance of existing plants and replacement with similar species.
    - Management and maintenance of trees including formative and remedial pruning, removal of deadwood and pest and disease control.
    - Repair and maintenance of existing paving, gutters, paths, stairs and garden walls.
    - Vegetation protection and management of possums and vermin.
    - Clearing and maintenance of drains and gutters.

    Permit Exemption Policy

    FOOTSCRAY PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE - Permit Exemption Policy

    Preamble The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place. The extent of registration of Footscray Psychiatric Centre in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 2395 including the land, building (exterior and interiors), access roads, car parks, pathways, ramps, trees, landscape elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future. If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted. Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.38 of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act). It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted. Conservation management plans It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner which respects its cultural heritage significance. Aboriginal cultural heritage If works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 . Other approvals Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.
    Archaeology Any works that may affect historical archaeological features, deposits or artefacts at the place is likely to require a permit, permit exemption or consent. Advice should be sought from the Archaeology Team at Heritage Victoria. Cultural heritage significance Overview of significance The cultural heritage significance of the Footscray Psychiatric Centre lies in the building?s bold Brutalist design, notably its pronounced exterior expression of stairwells, building services and interior elements and use of textured concrete inside and out. It lies in its interior layout of rooms, which reflects its original use as a community mental health facility. Its significance also lies in its historical relationship to important changes to mental health treatment in the latter part of the twentieth century.
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