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3LO Radio Transmission Station
180 Ashley Street, MAIDSTONE VIC 3012 - Property No 8400893010

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Maribyrnong City
28349 Ashley Street 3LO
28349 Ashley Street 3LO
28349 Ashley Street 3LO
28349 Ashley Street 3LO 1
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Statement of Significance

The site of one of the first transmitting towers of the Melbourne domestic broadcaster 3LO and is of Regional historical significance as one of the earliest installations relating to public broadcast radio in Victoria (Criterion A4). The site is sufficiently intact to recognise the original layout of the site, the form of the transmitter buildings and the location of the tower (Criterion F1). The period architecture of the transmitter building adds some distinction to the site and demonstrates visually its period of origin (Criterion E1). Radio Street on the south side of the Telecom property commemorates the early activity.

Australian Heritage Commission Criteria
A4 Importance for their association with events, developments or cultural phases which have had a significant role in the human occupation and evolution of the nation, state, region or community.
The place was associated with the beginnings of popular radio broadcasting in Melbourne, and part of the earliest days of ABC radio in Australia.

F1 Importance for their technical, creative, design or artistic excellence, innovation or achievement.
The place is associated with the early development of radio broadcasting technology. The layout of the site and foundations provide some evidence of the former engineering of the broadcast tower.

E1 Importance for a community for aesthetic characteristics held in high esteem or otherwise valued by the community.
The period architecture of the transmitter building adds some distinction to the site.

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    • Physical Description 1

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Physical Description 1

      Although the transmission tower of what may have been Melbourne's first domestic radio transmission station has long gone, a small rendered building in a vaguely Spanish Mission style of white-washed walls, arched openings and terracotta tile roof survives. This is believed to have housed the transmission equipment , as evidenced by the insulators still attached to one wall. In more recent years it has been used as a gatehouse and site office, with the rest of the site used as a storage yard.

      The concrete pads for anchoring the tower can be seen and a large timber and iron store shed possibly of later date is located immediately to the south.

      Physical Conditions

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Physical Conditions

      The Spanish Mission transmission building survivies in fair condition although unused and requiring repair.

      Integrity

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Integrity

      Integrity

      Only the concrete footings of the tower remain, partly covered in gravel, however the small gatehouse and store are intact externally.

      Physical Description 2

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Physical Description 2

      On a large mostly vacant block adjacent to the Maribyrnong River and Braybrook industrial area. Adjoining Telstra property and the nearby Radio Street, give indications of the site's former use.

      Historical Australian Themes

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Historical Australian Themes

      Thematic context
      Australian Principal Theme Establishing lines and networks of communication
      PAHT Subtheme: Developing electronic means of
      Local Theme Radio Transmitting Station

      Physical Description 3

      3LO Radio Transmission Station - Physical Description 3

      Creation date(s): 1924 c

      Heritage Significance regional

      Map (Melway) 27 F10

      Boundary description
      The extent of the present allotment and incorporating the steel clad shed to the south
      (if this is on a separate title)

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Maribyrnong - Maribyrnong Heritage Review

      Author: Jill Barnard, Graeme Butler, Francine Gilfedder & Gary Vines
      Year: 2000
      Grading:

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