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CHURCHILL ISLAND
CHURCHILL ISLAND, BASS COAST SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register
CHURCHILL ISLAND SOHE 2008
CHURCHILL ISLAND SOHE 2008
CHURCHILL ISLAND SOHE 2008
1 churchill island newhaven cannon jan1985
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Statement of Significance

Churchill Island, Westernport Bay off Phillip Island, includes the entire island and linking timber bridge, with all buildings and objects located on it. The island was first 'settled' by Lieutenant James Grant in 1801, when a cottage was erected and garden planted, no evidence of which remains. The present, symmetrical weatherboard homestead dates possibly from the 1860s, parts may be older. There is a cannon from the warship Shenandoah (1865).

Churchill Island, Westernport bay off Phillip Island, is the site of the first European settlement in Victoria, James Grant of the Lady Nelson having built a cottage and planted wheat, corn and a garden in 1801. The island is unique in the history of Victoria and was until recently the only privately-owned island in Victoria. Churchill Island is a most important landscape element in Westernport bay. The present homestead is representative of homestead building and is unusual for its planning. The island has been acquired by the government of Victoria for public uses. Future plans are unclear. Current landscape is pastoral.

[Source: Register of the National Estate]

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    • Permit Exemptions

      CHURCHILL ISLAND - 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 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 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.

      Minor Works: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.

      The following specific activities are permit exempt.

      Buildings

      . For those buildings of no heritage significance, the visitor centre and cafe, 1999 bridge, works area buildings and farm precinct buildings, demolition, replacement and introduction of contemporary fabric and fit outs to the interiors (joinery; electrical equipment; services; cabling; lighting; cupboards and storage; kitchen, catering and bathroom fittings and fixtures; wall, window and floor coverings), provided the works do not change or impact on the external appearance and form of the existing buildings.

      . For buildings of no heritage significance, including the visitor centre and cafe, the replacement of external fabric replacing 'like with like'.

      . Repair and maintenance of all buildings and built structures, including repainting previously painted surfaces and replacing/repairing damaged or deteriorated fabric components with the same materials.

      Hard landscape elements

      . Repair and maintenance of existing roads, pathways and car parking areas, steps, gutters, drainage and irrigation systems, edging, fences and gates, including repairing and replacing with the same materials.

      . Repair, maintenance and replacement of park/outdoor/picnic furniture including rubbish bins in the same locations, including like-for-like replacement to match existing park furniture.

      Objects

      . Removal of objects, including farm machinery, not identified in the CMP as being of heritage significance.

      Vegetation

      . The process of gardening; mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, removal of dead plants, disease and weed control, emergency and safety garden works.

      . Removal of dead or dangerous trees and emergency works to maintain public safety and to protect buildings and structures, provided notification is provided to the Executive Director within 21 days of the works being undertaken.

      . Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Pruning of Amenity Trees AS 4373.

      . Management of trees in accordance with Australian Standard; Protection of Trees on Development Sites AS 4970.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of garden watering and drainage systems outside the tree protection zone of trees.

      . Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

      . Watering, mowing, top-dressing and fertilising necessary for the continued health of plants, without damage or major alterations to layout, contours, plant species or other significant landscape features.

      . Pruning trees to control size, improve shape, flowering or fruiting and the removal of diseased, dead or dangerous material, not exceeding 20% of the crown of the tree within a period of two years.

      . Tree surgery by a qualified horticulturalist or tree surgeon necessary for the health of those plants.

      General

      . Emergency and safety works to secure the site and prevent damage and injury to property and the public.

      Temporary events

      . Introduction of temporary structures associated with temporary events up to 14 days including marquees, tents, catering vans, vendor vans, amusement rides, stages, truck-mounted broadcasting facilities, portable toilets and fencing, provided the temporary structures:

      . have no impact on buildings, structures and features, trees and garden beds

      . where required are weighted down with sand bags or water tanks, and avoid the requirement for driven metal stakes that could impact on tree roots

      . are located outside the Tree Protection Zone of a tree

      . are placed on a protective surface (board or track mats)

      . fencing, furniture and other small scale items are placed on turf or hard stand areas which require no fixing to the ground

      . Events of a longer period or having the potential to impact on trees, beds, lawns, buildings and features will require the submission of an event management plan to be approved by the Executive Director. In this case the event would normally be considered under the Minor Works provisions of the permit exemptions and s66(3) Heritage Act 1995

      Aboriginal cultural heritage

      If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact the Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

      If works are proposed which have the potential to disturb or have an impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage it is necessary to contact the Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain any requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

      Under the Heritage Act 1995 permits are required for any works or activities which alter the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. This applies to all parts of the registered place including fabric associated with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

      Human remains

      If any suspected human remains are found during any works or activities, the works or activities must cease. The remains must be left in place, and protected from harm or damage. Victoria Police and the State Coroner's Office must be notified immediately. If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the remains are Aboriginal, the Coronial Admissions and Enquiries hotline must be contacted immediately on 1300 888 544. As required under s.17(3)(b) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 all details about the location and nature of the human remains must be provided to the Secretary (as defined in the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006).

      Archaeology

      Ground disturbance may affect the archaeological significance of the place and, subject to the exemptions stated in this document, requires a permit. A permit is likely to be required for all sub-surface works in the vicinity of the Homestead precinct, Lt Grant 1801 area, north coast and south-west coast jetties and former White House precinct, and for any substantial works throughout the park that will affect the below-ground component of the place.

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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