PRINCES BRIDGE

OVER YARRA RIVER, SWANSTON STREET AND ST KILDA ROAD MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

PRINCES BRIDGE SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    PRINCES BRIDGE - History

    Contextual History:History of Place:
    In Melbourne punts were operating across the Yarra River at the city and Richmond in the late 1830s. In 1845 the Melbourne Bridge Co. was licensed to build an iron toll bridge below the present site of Princes Bridge, but could only raise enough capital to erect a wooden bridge. The company charged pedestrians crossing the river 1d each; cattle and horses 2d a head; horse and bullock drays 6d; and private carriages 1s each. The significance of such early developments was that they established main arterial routes for all time, regardless of future needs or sound engineering principles. By the time increasing traffic forced government authorities to intervene and build public bridges, the shape of cities and near suburbs had been determined by thousands of private decisions and accidents of fate .
    
    The need for a bridge across the Yarra was recognised in the earliest days of the settlement, but not until 1845 was the first of the three Princes Bridges built to give a more direct connection for ships anchored in the bay. Until then, passengers and luggage were transferred to either flat bottomed barges or boats which put them ashore at Williamstown, leaving them an uncomfortable nine mile journey by horse or bullock dray to the settlement. Alternatively, passengers were loaded into small craft which took them about the same distance up the river. The quickest way was three miles overland from Port Melbourne, but only inadequate ferries were available at the river to take passengers across the main settlement on the other side .
    
    History of Place:
    
    The present Princes Bridge built in 1888 is the third bridge across the Yarra at that location. The first two bridges built in 1845 (timber) and 1850 (stone) were built in response to population explosion of Melbourne, from several hundred to over 80 000 people caused by the gold rush . The first bridge over the Yarra, a wooden toll bridge, was built by Alexander Sutherland on this site in 1845. It was replaced by a single-arched stone bridge in 1850, named Princes Bridge after the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII . It had a span of 45.7 metres and was one of the longest bridges in the world at that time, being only less than a metre shorter than London Bridge. The stone arch bridge was designed and built by engineer, David Lennox, and opened by Governor La Trobe on 15 November 1850, a few days after the passing of the Separation Bill, thereby laying the foundation for the proclamation of the State of Victoria in 1851 .
    
    With the tremendous increase of traffic in the passage of time, it was found necessary to replace the bridge in order to provide a readier waterway for the river, and an increased width to facilitate crossing under the changed conditions of the time. In 1879, after much preliminary discussion, competitive designs for a new bridge were invited , and that of Messrs. Grainger and D’Ebro, being awarded first prize of £200, was accepted and ultimately carried out. The successful tenderer for the contract was David Munro, for £136, 998, as against £15 000 for the bridge it replaced. One of his engineers employed John Monash, of future renown. The bridge was paid for jointly by the municipalities over the river . The subsequent allocation of cost was as follows:
    
    Melbourne City Council £47 000
    South Melbourne £10 000
    Prahran £10 000
    St. Kilda £10 000
    Brighton £2 000
    Malvern £2 500
    Caulfield £2 000
    Moorabbin £1 000
    Total £84 500
    The cost of the bridge was over £200 000, the balance of the total cost being paid by the Government .
    
    The present Princes Bridge, designed by D’Ebro and J.H. Grainger (the father of Percy Grainger, the musician) and built by David Munro, was opened in 1888. The abutments, piers and wing walls are made of bluestone quarried from Footscray, a stone which features in many earlier Melbourne buildings. The contractor engineer was George Higgins M.C.E., and John Monash gained some of his early experience on this project .
    
    The majority of the bluestone was obtained from the contractor’s (David Munro) quarries at Footscray, which were opened for this purpose, a siding being land into them from the Sandhurst line and a siding to the site of the bridge from Princes Bridge Station Land. The largest stones used weighed 17 tons in the rough and these finished may be seen in the cutwaters on the piers, just below the granite columns. The Malmsbury stone, a finer, softer and cleaner species of basalt, used for the carving and the more finely finished work, was obtained from the contractor’s quarry at Kyneton, and the granite from Harcourt. The iron for the bridge was specially rolled and workshops were erected in South Melbourne for the construction of the girders .
    
    Princes Bridge is very similar in appearance to Blackfriars Bridge in London . A special ‘City Arch’ was built over the bridge during the Federation Celebrations in 1901 . The decorated spandrels feature the coats of arms of municipal councils who contributed towards the cost of construction, the mouldings and balustrade along the top of the bridge and the lamp standards crowning the giant half columns are notable features .
    
    David Munro
    
    David Munro, Contractor, (1844-98) Engineer, speculator, contractor, born in Scotland, came to Victoria in 1854. He worked with his father, John Munro, a blacksmith and contractor, in King Street, Melbourne. Following his father’s insolvency, David started his own engineering and machinery supply business.
    
    During the construction and railway boom of the 1870sand 1880s David Munro and Co. was one of the colony’s biggest employers of labour. They built the new Prince’s Bridge in 1890 for45 000 pounds. Other railway contracts included the Fitzroy-Whittlesea Line for 100 000 pounds and the Frankston-Crib Point Line for 53 000 pounds.
    
    Munro was president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a brother of James Munro, the notorious “land boomer” and became involved in land speculation himself through his close links with Thomas Bent. Munro and Bent shared the construction of the Nepean Road tramway and were directors in the Brighton Gas Co. Ltd.
    
    David Munro’s end was a tragic one. By 1889 he was in serious financial difficulties, which involved all members of his family. His losses on contracts amounted to 90 000 pounds. He and his wife moved from their mansion in Kooyong to a small cottage in Parkville where, in March 1898, Munro died of a haemorrhage and alcoholism .

    
    The following history was provided by Di Foster, Malvern Historian, Stonnington Library & Information Service; source, Princes Bridge Swanston Street: Conservation Management Plan, Allom Lovell & Associates. The statement of significance was amended to include this information on 17/05/04

    In 1885 seven municipalities agreed to contribute to the cost of Princes Bridge. The municipalities included South Melbourne, Prahran and St Kilda (£10,000 each), Malvern (£2,500), Brighton and Caulfield (£2,000 each) and Moorabbin (£1,000). It was intended that the respective coats-of-arms or municipal seals of these seven contributing municipalities were to be placed on the sides of the bridge, along with the arms of the State of Victoria, the City of Melbourne and the Royal Arms. However the seal for the Shire of Malvern is the only one not evident on the bridge and there is no indication that the seal was ever installed. No reason has been found for this omission.

    (The seal of the Shire of Malvern comprised an outer rim with the words 'Shire of Malvern', and two escutcheons, one charged with a hand-plough and the other with a wheat-sheaf. Between the two shield was a Golden Fleece. The seal also incorporated the coat-of-arms of the British Royal House.)

    
    

    Plaque Citation

    PRINCES BRIDGE - Plaque Citation

    Completed in 1888, this bridge was the third constructed at this location. Designed by Jenkins, D'Ebro and Grainger and built by contractor, David Munro, it played an important role in the development of Melbourne's southern suburbs.

    Permit Exemptions

    PRINCES BRIDGE - 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:

    EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
    (Classes of works or activities which may be undertaken without a permit under
    Part 4 of the Heritage Act 1995)
    
    General Conditions
    
    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.
    2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of
    alterations 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 alteration shall cease and the
    Executive Director shall be notified as soon as possible.
    3. If there is a conservation policy and plan approved by the Executive
    Director, all works shall be in accordance with it.
    4. Nothing in this declaration prevents the Executive Director from amending
    or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
    5. Nothing in this declaration exempts owners or their agents from the
    responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the
    responsible authority where applicable.
    
    
    
    * No permit required for routine maintenance of the Princes Bridge
    
    * No permit required to replace like with like on the Princes Bridge

    General Conditions: 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 Conditions: 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. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component.

    General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Planprovides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan.
    
    

    General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

    General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable.

    Minor Works : Note: 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.

    In accordance with s92(3) of the Heritage Act 2017, permit exemption issued by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria on 4 January 2023 (P37786):

    • Installation of temporary events and structures associated with the City of Melbourne's 'Moomba Festival' for up to 35 calendar days (within one calendar year) inclusive of bump in and bump out, with no further structures erected in the same location for a period of 7 calendar days for hard stand surfaces.
    • Installation of temporary events and structures for one annual arts festival event of up to up to 45 calendar days (within one calendar year) inclusive of bump in and bump out, with no further structures erected in the same location for a period of 7 calendar days for hard stand surfaces.
    • Installation of temporary events, decorations and structures associated with the City of Melbourne’s municipal Christmas celebrations for up to 60 calendar days (within one calendar year) inclusive of bump in and bump out, with no further structures erected in the same location for a period of 7 calendar days for hard stand surfaces.
    • The following temporary event infrastructure can be installed for all events listed above:
      • The installation of temporary structures, such as marquees, tents, market stalls, display cases and furniture, gazebos, and shipping containers. 
      • The installation of temporary freestanding services associated with events, including generators and associated service cabling.
      • The installation of temporary freestanding audio-visual and broadcasting equipment, including temporary staging, flooring, rigging, screens, speakers, lighting and associated infrastructure.
      • The erection of temporary freestanding scaffolding towers, projectors and infrastructure associated with lightshows and projections onto, or into airspace within the extent of registration of registered places and objects.
      • The installation of temporary freestanding artworks.
      • The installation of freestanding temporary recreation and entertainment facilities, equipment and structures, such as jumping castles, amusement rides, and sporting equipment.
      • The installation of temporary decorations, such as decorative lights, bunting, tinsel, cut floral arrangements, freestanding garden beds and the like.
      • The installation of equipment and infrastructure associated with firework, laser and drone displays.
      • The parking, installation and operation of temporary micro-tenancies, such as food trucks and coffee carts.
      • The installation of temporary furniture, including tables, desks, chairs, umbrellas and the like.
      • Installation of temporary portable toilets.
      • Installation of temporary operational, promotional, directional and wayfinding signage.
      • Installation of temporary surveillance systems.
      • The erection of freestanding fencing structures associated with temporary events. 
    • The following exemption conditions apply to all events:
      • Works and activities must be entirely reversible, and not involve damage to, or removal or disturbance of, early or original fabric , including landscape features such as historical planting schemes, paths and ground-surface masonry, built structures (including interiors and exterior elements), or historical archaeological remains.
      • Temporary structures and associated elements exempted must be freestanding and not involve new penetrations into or affixings to early or original fabric.
      • There must be no subfloor/subsurface/excavation works or activities. 
      • Cabling and associated service conduits must not be affixed to early or original fabric.
      • Outdoor temporary structures must not be positioned within a structural root zone, or within two metres of garden beds.
      • Works or activities within tree protection zones must be in accordance with a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
      • Outdoor temporary structures are exempt within tree protection zones only if works and activities are undertaken in accordance with a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
      • In tree protection zones the method of affixing temporary outdoor structures to the ground must be in accordance with advice provided by a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist. 
      • Any works or activities involving the attachment of temporary decorations, artworks or lights to trees must be guided by a Tree Protection Management Plan prepared by a qualified arborist.
      • Plant and equipment access must use existing paths and access routes where possible. Existing paths and access routes must not be damaged, widened or extended.
      • Tree canopy and fragile surfaces such as turf, soft landscaping, timber flooring and groundsurface masonry (excluding concrete or asphalt), must be protected from temporary structures and associated installation activities (for example the use of sleepers, boards, track matting or other ground protection). Vehicles must not use access routes through floorboarded, decked or tiled locations.
      • All works and activities must comply with the internal and external engineering and loading requirements of the place.
      • Any area(s) impacted by works and activities must be fully remediated to its previous condition within 28 calendar days of removal of temporary structures. 
    • General Exemptions related to temporary events and structures apply in addition to this specific exemption. 
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