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MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS
603-615 QUEENSBERRY STREET NORTH MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.
Victorian Heritage Register
MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS SOHE 2008
MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS SOHE 2008
MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS SOHE 2008
1 melbourne college of printing & graphic arts queensberry street north melbourne front view mar1985
melbourne college of printing & graphic arts queensberry street north melbourne corner view mar1985
melbourne college of printing & graphic arts queensberry street north melbourne tower mar1985
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Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

The Melbourne College of Printing and Graphics in North Melbourne is a High Victorian style building designed by HR Bastow, the Public Works Department architect and built in 1882 as State School No.307. The two storey red brick building with limestone quatrefoil tracery, rendered trims and a bluestone plinth stands very prominently along Queensberry Street. Its main feature is the central tower in the manner of William Butterfield and the five traceried windows on its upper floor. The tower has a gable end roof that appears in the form of a saddle roof, where it incorporates two gables and one ridge line. It is intentionally used to balance the two gable ended wings. A small one storey wing on the west elevation, which currently accommodates toilets, built in the same style (but perhaps added at a later stage) is important for the understanding of the development of this building. The extensive internal alterations can be reversed and the original ceiling height, details and the important central staircase restored. Most joinery details, which display the very fine detailing have been retained. All Tobin system vents which still exist in this building are significant elements for this type of building design.

How is it Significant?

The Melbourne College of Printing and Graphics is of architectural significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it Significant?

The Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Arts is architecturally significant as an exceptional example of High Gothic style State Schools architecture. The design has presence and makes a strong statement in the streetscape as it stands within its confined boundary lines. It is also architecturally significant for its exterior and parts of the interior detailing and careful use of limestone, brickwork and render. It is also architecturally significant as an example of Public Works designed buildings.

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    • Permit Exemptions

      MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF PRINTING AND GRAPHIC ARTS - 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 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 plan all works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan provides 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.

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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