Williamstown Racecourse Site (Former) and Canary Island Palm Tree

Racecourse Road ALTONA, Hobsons Bay City

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Hobsons Bay City

Williamstown Racecourse Site (former) and Canary Island Palm Tree, Hobsons Bay Heritage Study 2006

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    Williamstown Racecourse Site (Former) and Canary Island Palm Tree - Physical Description 1

    Most of the buildings associated with the former Williamstown Racecourse were destroyed by fire or have been removed. The surviving elements include:

    A single Canary Island Palm set in a circular remnant ornamental flower bed on the former site of the Bird Cage enclosure

    The concrete base of the former Racecourse grandstand. A stencilled sign on the north and south wall faces of the base reads 'Williamstown Racecourse established c1870 Army Camp c1940-1945 Grandstand destroyed by fire 1946'.

    Brick footings, and numerous broken bricks (Glen Iris and South Yarra fire bricks), lines of rusted steel cable fencing, an asphalt paved area and roadways, an underground concrete tank (septic?)

    The graded line of the race track, which is still evident around the edge of the grass land. In the middle of the track are footing remnants of former buildings which may have been associated with the army camp or the hostel.

    The former racecourse railway station site is north of the creek while at the creek crossing of Racecourse Road is a concrete ford which presumably replaces an earlier crossing marked on nineteenth century maps. North of the site is the Kororoit Creek, the brown brick, tiles and concrete of the 1969 Wiltona immigration hostel and to the south is the Pines scout camp. A section of basalt paving lies to the west of the camp. To the east is the bay and wetlands. A recent yellow concrete paved bike path has been built through all of this.

    Integrity

    Williamstown Racecourse Site (Former) and Canary Island Palm Tree - Integrity

    External Condition

    The grandstand remnants and general layout next to the creek are ruins, although the palm is healthy.

    External Integrity

    Low.

    Historical Australian Themes

    Williamstown Racecourse Site (Former) and Canary Island Palm Tree - Historical Australian Themes

    Organising recreation, Playing and watching sports

    Physical Description 3

    Williamstown Racecourse Site (Former) and Canary Island Palm Tree - Physical Description 3

    Associations

    City of Williamstown, Werribee Shire Council, Williamstown and Werribee Coursing Club?

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study

    Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
    Year: 2006
    Grading:

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