Grange Burn Precinct Hamilton

HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire

All information on this page is maintained by Southern Grampians Shire. Click below for their website and contact details.

Southern Grampians Shire

City of Hamilton Conservation Study 1991

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • Physical Description 1

    Grange Burn Precinct Hamilton - Physical Description 1

    The Grange Burn meanders around the town in a large arc from the north-east to the west after turning south and then north. It is never more than a small stream althoughit has now been dammed and forms Lake Hamilton. The banks vary from open and flat floodplains to quite steep cliffs especially at the southern end of the original township. The Grange Burn area has two characters; the one which is more natural or informal and the other which has been laid out to some design. The latter are reserves which are for deliberate recreation purposes and include Lake Hamilton, the Apex Park, Kennedy Park and Victoria Park. The rest of the creek seems to be left more or less to fend for itself.

    It is not possible to say within the scope of this study how much of the existing vegetation along the Grange Burn is remnant and indeed likewise throughout Hamilton. However, there are considerable sections which are overgrown with thickets of elm suckers and other weeds. The formal reserves have quite elaborate plantings. These have now deteriorated but not irretrievably. The relationship between Victoria Park and the Botanic Gardens deserves to be explored in detail.

    The most important formal area along the Grange Burn is Victoria Park. High ground on the Martin Street side falls away to the floodplain by the creek. The cliff still shows the scar of the early quarry. The park is edged on the Martin Street side with avenue plantings of alternating Ulmus X hollandica, Dutch Elm and Quercus robur, English Oak. A path from the top of the hill traverses the Park diagonally down the cliff face. It is planted with Crataegus laevigata, English Hawthorn and Fraxinus excelsior, English Ash. Other trees include: Ulmus X hollandica, Dutch Elm; Quercus robur, English Oak; Acer platinoides, Norway Maple; Brachychiton acerifolius, Illawarra Flame Tree; Fraxinus excelsior `Pendula'; and what must be remnant vegetation in Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum. The most notable exotic is the impressive Ulmus X hollandica `Vegeta', Huntingdon Elm at the base of the slope. The Park is in a run-down condition and considerable sensitive tree work is required. The park has also been used to store Council equipment, mostly abandoned, and for the grazing of sheep to keep down the grass.

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Heritage Study and Grading

    Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study

    Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
    Year: 1991
    Grading:

• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places

  • 
    MECHANICS INSTITUTE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H2171
  • 
    HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENS

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H2185
  • 
    HAMILTON GAS HOLDER

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1086
• Public contributions