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EXHIBITION GOODS SHED
330 UNION LANE BYLANDS, MITCHELL SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Register
EXHIBITION GOODS SHED SOHE 2008
EXHIBITION GOODS SHED SOHE 2008
EXHIBITION GOODS SHED SOHE 2008
exhibition goods shed spencer street melbourne amenity room number 6 shed mar1989
exhibition goods shed spencer street melbourne rear of flinders street extension goods shed
exhibition goods shed spencer street melbourne remnants of number 1 shed
exhibition goods shed spencer street melbourne side view of flinders street extension goods shed
H0930 H0930 plan
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Exhibition Goods Shed, a timber and corrugated iron structure originally formed the central avenue of the International Exhibition of 1880-81 in the Carlton Gardens. It was relocated to the Spencer Street rail yards in 1881, where it functioned as the grain store accommodating bagged brewer's grain. It was permitted to be relocated to a tram museum in Bylands in 1999 to make way for the Docklands redevelopment. The structure of the shed, probably designed by notable architectural firm Reed and Barnes, who were responsible for the Exhibition Buildings, consists of a truss form (modified scissor type), unusual in industrial buildings and more commonly found in ecclesiastical buildings. The structure was reduced in height when relocated in 1881, and until 1989 was approximately 820 feet long. The surviving section of 7 bays is a small fragment of the original.

How is it significant?

The Exhibition Goods Shed is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Exhibition Goods Shed is of historical significance as the only known remnant surviving from the extensive timber buildings of the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-81. The Exhibition was a major event in Melbourne's late-19th century history. It reflected the growing wealth and confidence of the city in the wake of the gold rushes. International Exhibitions were held in several major cities throughout the world during the 19th and early 20th centuries, celebrating mainly Western industrial and commercial achievements, but traces of the buildings erected for the purpose are now rare, giving any surviving buildings added importance.

The Exhibition Goods Shed is of historical significance as one of the oldest remnants of the great 19th century railway goods sheds. By far the greatest part of the shed's history was spent serving as a grain store and goods shed in the Spencer Street Railyards. It thus remains as an important reminder of the character and scale of railway infrastructure when the railways were the main means of transporting bulk goods, and of the important role played by the railways in the development of the State.

The Exhibition Goods Shed is of architectural significance as a rare surviving example of a 19th century international exhibition building. Although substantially reduced from its original size, it is possible to gain some impression of the original scale of the building, and the unusual scissor truss construction is plainly evident.

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    • History

      EXHIBITION GOODS SHED - History

      Contextual History:History of Place:

      The Exhibition Goods Shed was originally constructed as the Central Avenue of the 1880-81 International Exhibition. The Exhibition, covering 22 acres of the Carlton Gardens, opened in October 1880. The Exhibition included products and displays of manufacturers from the British Isles, Europe and the Australian Colonies. The Central Avenue was relocated to the Spencer Street Railway Yards after the closure of the Exhibition. It was reduced in height when relocated and in 1989 considerably reduced in length. Originally it was 820 feet long, 58 feet high and 40 feet wide. The side aisles were 32 feet high and 30 feet wide.
      Associated People:

      Permit Exemptions

      EXHIBITION GOODS SHED - 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.

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