STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT
NeW Space Education Precinct
401 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300 409 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300 300 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300
Lot 1 DP 1188877 Lot 2 DP 1188877 Lot 2 DP 225689
Prepared by EJE Heritage October 2014 10021-SOHI-001 Issue C STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 3 1.2 METHODOLOGY ...... 3 1.3 PLANNING PARAMETERS ...... 3 1.4 HERITAGE LISTINGS ...... 4 1.5 SITE IDENTIFICATION ...... 6 1.6 PREVIOUS HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORTS ADDRESSING THE SUBJECT LAND . 10 1.7 CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS ...... 12
2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT ...... 13 2.1 Introduction ...... 13 2.2 Indigenous Context...... 14 2.3 The Site ...... 17 2.4 Site Development ...... 30 2.5 The Civic Block ...... 50 2.6 Wartime Developments ...... 64 2.7 Post-War Developments ...... 67 2.8 Historical Themes for the Subject Land ...... 75
3. PHYSICAL CONDITION AND CONTEXT ...... 85 3.1 THE SITE...... 85 3.2 CURRENT USE ...... 85 3.3 CONDITION ...... 85 3.4 SURROUNDING CONTEXT ...... 85
4. HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE ...... 91 4.1 ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANCE ...... 93 4.2 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE ...... 97 4.3 CONCISE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FOR UNIVERSITY (NESCA) HOUSE ...... 98
5. PROPOSED WORKS...... 100 5.1 The NeW Space Building ...... 100 5.2 University (NESCA) House: Proposed Modifications...... 101
6. STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT ...... 120
7. PROPOSED ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION MEASURES...... 134 7.1 MANDATED ACTIONS...... 134 7.2 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS ...... 136
8. CONCLUSION ...... 137
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 139 9.1 Monographs ...... 139 9.2 Reports ...... 140 9.3 Articles ...... 141 9.4 Electronic Materials ...... 141 9.5 Newspapers ...... 141
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 1 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
1. INTRODUCTION
EJE Heritage has been requested to provide a Heritage Assessment and subsequent Heritage Impact Statement for the proposed NeW Space Education Precinct, involving 401 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; 409 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; and 300 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300: Lots 1 DP 1188877; Lot 2 DP 1188877; and Lot 2 DP 225689.
New Space, designed by Lyons in association with EJE Architecture, has been described as
a $95 million landmark education precinct under development by the University of Newcastle in the heart of Newcastle's CBD. The precinct will host a range of University- supported activities including:
· business and law programs · digital library services and information commons · collaborative learning and research spaces · facilities for engagement with industry, business and the community · social learning spaces.
Developed as a technology-rich and engaging demonstrator site, NeW Space will provide a unique platform [enabling] our staff to develop and test innovative ideas [so as] to deliver a ‘next generation’ university experience for students. NeW Space will be a resource for the entire University community, across different disciplinary and knowledge fields.
NeW Space is supported by Australian Government funding of $30 million through the Education Investment Fund Regional Priorities Round, NSW Government funding of $25 million, and $40 million invested by the University.1
The initial section of the report places the site within an historical context, and examines the physical condition and context of the current building. Once the history and physical condition and context of the building have been understood, a heritage assessment of the site can be completed using the NSW Heritage Division guidelines encompassing the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter 2013 heritage values: historical significance; aesthetic significance; scientific significance; and social significance.
The Statement of Heritage Impact that follows examines the proposed works, identifying any impacts which the proposal might have on the significance of the heritage items, and any measures which should be taken to mitigate any negative impacts, if these are in fact identified.
This Statement of Heritage Impact was prepared by EJE Heritage. The project team consisted of:
q Barney Collins – (Director, EJE), Conservation Architect; q Anthony Furniss – (Director, EJE), Architect; and q David Campbell – Heritage Consultant.
1 https://www.newcastle.edu.au/about-uon/our-environments/new-space
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 2 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The Historical Context section was written by David Campbell. Section 5.2, Proposed Works to University (NESCA) House, was written by Anthony Furniss. Details of the sale, ownership and development of the subject land have been extracted from Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’.
1.1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EJE expresses its gratitude to Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC) for permission to make use of its ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’. Thanks are also expressed to the former NSW Department of Commerce, Government Architect’s Office, for access to the ‘University House Newcastle (Formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report (December 2006)’; to Heritas Architecture, of New Lambton NSW, for invaluable information concerning a historic map; and to Ms Cynthia Hunter, of Raymond Terrace NSW, who prepared the ‘Newcastle Civic & Cultural Precinct Historical Development (2002)’ Report for the former City Strategy Group of Newcastle City Council.
1.2 METHODOLOGY This report has been undertaken in accordance with the NSW Heritage Office publications, Assessing Heritage Significance and Statements of Heritage Impact, together with the Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter 2013.
It should be noted that this report is not undertaken by way of an Archaeological or Indigenous assessment. In this connection, regard should be had to Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, and to Indigenous assessment reports and documentation.
1.3 PLANNING PARAMETERS The subject land is within the Newcastle local government area, which is subject to the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 (‘LEP 2012’). The land is zoned B4: Mixed Use under LEP 2012; it is, however, envisaged that it will within the foreseeable future be modified to B3: Commercial Core.
The site is identified as a State Significant Crown Development in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011 (‘SEPP 2011’), Schedule 1.
The subject land is also within the area addressed by the Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy (‘NURS’), which is intended to guide urban renewal in the city centre. The two key goals of NURS as applied to the subject land include:
· the establishment of a university campus in the city centre so as to stimulate demand for commercial and retail floor space, and to encourage the further development of a residential student population; and · the reshaping of Hunter Street as a key city destination so as to promote activity, business opportunities, events, and other uses in identified nodes.
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1.4 HERITAGE LISTINGS The subject land contains a Heritage Item included in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 (‘LEP 2012’), Schedule 5 Part 1, namely University (NESCA) House, 300 King Street, Newcastle. It is not an Archaeological Site included in LEP 2012, Schedule 5 Part 3. The subject land is within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area as described in Schedule 5 Part 2. It is also in proximity to Heritage Items included in LEP 2012 and in the Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 (‘REP 1989’), Schedules 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 1. Detail of Map showing Heritage Items, Newcastle LEP 2012. The subject site is coloured blue.
LEP 2012 Heritage Items within 200m of the NeW Space site include:
Suburb Item Address Description Item Significance No. Newcastle Civic Railway 5 Workshop Lot 511, DP I479 State Workshops Group Way, 1 Wright 1030264; Lot 5, Lane, 6 DP 883474; Lot Workshop 3, DP 1111305 Way and 2–4 Lot 2, DP Merewether 1010675 Street Newcastle Former Frederick 357 Hunter I417 State Ash Building Street Newcastle Northumberland 20 Auckland Lot A, DP I359 Local County Council Street 369052; Part Lot Building 1, DP 999494 Newcastle TPI House (former 231 King Lot B, DP I432 Local Mackie’s Street 502464
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 4 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Warehouse) Newcastle Civic Park 201 King Lot 300, DP I430 Local Street 604071; Lot 91, DP 521033 Newcastle Civic Theatre 373 Hunter Part Lot 1, DP State Street 225689 Nominated Newcastle City Hall and lamp 290 King Part Lot 1, DP I433 Local posts Street 225689 Newcastle Christie Place 292 King Part Lot 1, DP I434 Local (including Street 225689 fountain) Newcastle Nesca House 300 King Lot 2 DP 225689 I325 State Street Newcastle TPI House (former 231 King Lot B, DP I432 Local Mackie’s Street 502464 Warehouse) Cooks Hill Former railway Laman Street I86 Local overpass Cooks Hill Newcastle War 1 Laman Lots 4–10, DP I87 Local Memorial Cultural Street 1122031 Centre Cooks Hill Former 12 Laman Lot 12, DP I88 Local signalman’s Street 150135 cottage Cooks Hill St Andrew’s 12 Laman Lot 1011, DP I89 Local Presbyterian Street 1132786 Church Cooks Hill Baptist 25 Laman Lot 1, DP I90 Local Tabernacle Street 1134280
REP 1989 Heritage Items within 200m of the NeW Space site include:
Suburb Item Significance Newcastle Civic Railway Workshops Group State Cooks Hill Baptist Tabernacle Regional Newcastle City Hall Regional Cooks Hill St. Andrew’s Church Regional Newcastle Christie Place & Centenary Local Fountain Newcastle Civic Theatre Building Local
The site is also in close proximity to several Heritage Items listed in the NSW State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), including:
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 5 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Item State Heritage Register Listing No. Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre 01883 Precinct University (NESCA) House 00217 Frederick Ash Building 00642 Civic (Honeysuckle Point) Railway 00956 Workshops
Figure 2. State Heritage Register items: Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct (including Christie Place); and NESCA House (now known as University House). Heritage Division, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Database No. 5052988, File No. 10/20259
The City Hall and University (NESCA) House are included in the Register of Significant Architecture of NSW of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
The City Hall, Civic Theatre and University (NESCA) House are also classified by the National Trust of Australia. While this had no legislative significance, it is of persuasive value.
1.5 SITE IDENTIFICATION The site is identified as 401 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; 409 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; 300 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300. The subject site is located within the Newcastle Local Government Area. The real property description is: Lots Lot 1 DP 1188877; Lot 2 DP 1188877; Lot 2 DP 225689.
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Figure 3. Map showing location of subject land, which is bordered in red. NSW Land and Property Information (2012).
Figure 4. Location image. The NeW Space site is bordered in red. Nearmap (by licence)
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Figure 5. Location image. The NeW Space site is bordered in red. Nearmap (by licence)
Figure 6. Location image, showing NeW Space site and University (NESCA) House Nearmap (by licence)
Figure 7. Stereoscopic view. Nearmap (by licence)
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 8 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 8. Closer stereoscopic view. Nearmap (by licence)
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 9 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
1.6 PREVIOUS HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORTS ADDRESSING THE SUBJECT LAND 1.6.1 Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan (1997) Suters Architects and Planners, in association with C. Lavelle, C and M.J. Doring Pty Ltd and John Turner for Newcastle City Council, ‘Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan’ (February 1997).
One item addressed by this report, namely Item 1168, relates to the subject land. This concerns the late nineteenth century ironmongery and machinery store of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers (Item 1168), which was situated on Lot 72 and partially extended onto the property at the rear (Item 1169), known as Lot 14 on the A.A. Company’s subdivision plan. The report does not address the archaeological potential of Item 1168. Item 1169, which is not within the subject site, is described as a disturbed or potential archaeological site.
1.7 NESCA House, Newcastle: A Conservation Plan EJE Architecture, ‘NESCA House, Newcastle: A Conservation Plan prepared for Becalen Pty Ltd’ (August 1990).
This report was prepared by EJE Architecture so as to inform the refurbishment of the building as part of a Commonwealth government plan to relocate the Australian Maritime Safety Authority from Canberra, an inland city, to Newcastle, a port city devastated by the 1989 Earthquake. The plan was subsequently abandoned.
1.8 Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle. EJE Heritage, Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle’ (April 2011).
This report, developed from the superseded ‘NESCA House Newcastle: A Conservation Plan prepared by EJE Architecture for Becalen Pty Ltd’ (August 1990), was prepared on behalf of the University of Newcastle by EJE Heritage, so as to inform the future conservation of University House. This document should guide the conservation of the building, with specific emphasis on the long-term physical conservation of the structure, which is an item of State heritage significance. It is also necessary that both the ‘make good’ works and the removal of the existing fit-out should be overseen by an appropriately qualified heritage architect. In addition, an appropriately qualified heritage architect should be engaged to undertake the detailed design for the proposed fit-out, which should be integrated with the Interpretation Strategy and the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), particularly as concerns Conservation Policy and Implementation (CMP Section 9).
1.9 Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan’ (August 2008). NSW Department of Commerce (Government Architect’s Office), Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan (August 2008).
This was prepared at the request of Council, which required specific guidance as to the management of the City Hall. It includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 10 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Conservation Works. It also includes policies for the protection and enhancement of Christie Place, and with particular reference to the protection and enhancement of views of the City Hall.
1.9.1 Heritage Impact Statement, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW Heritas Architecture, ‘Heritage Impact Statement, 409 Hunter Street (former Energy Australia building), Newcastle NSW’ (December 2005).
At this time of production of this report, this property was owned Newcastle City Council, with the existing building identified for demolition in favour of a car park. This development did not in fact occur.
1.9.2 Heritage Assessment Report, 395 – 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW
Heritas Architecture, ‘Civic Arcade Facade, 395-409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW’ (March 2006).
This concerned the Art Deco-style facade of the former Australian Provincial Insurance building, later the Civic Arcade.
1.10 Stone Condition Report NSW Department of Commerce (Government Architect’s Office), ‘University House, Newcastle (formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report’ (December 2006). This report, commissioned by the University of Newcastle, concerned the condition of the facade of the building. Section 1.0 of the report notes that there had, by that time, been significant deterioration to the facade, and particularly to the sandstone and trachyte with which the facade is faced.
The University of Newcastle has recently called tenders for the conservation and restoration of the sandstone and trachyte employed in the facade. This work will be informed by the report as previously prepared. The timeframe for completion of this work will be as established within the tender documents.
1.10.1 Preliminary Architectural Assessment, Civic Site Umwelt Environmental Consultants, ‘Preliminary Archaeological Assessment for Civic Demolition Site’ (July 2012). Section 5.4 of the above report, addressing ‘Historical Archaeological Considerations and Issues’, contains the following recommendations:
As a result of the identified archaeological potential of the Project area, an archaeological assessment report would need to be prepared prior to any ground disturbance (unless the potential impacts to archaeological remains are considered to be minor). This would need to include a significance assessment, research design and investigation methodology. The document would provide specific recommendations for the management of the archaeological resource of the Project area and should be adopted as the recommended strategy for undertaking physical archaeological investigation of the site.
The report further recommends that an application for an excavation permit under Section 140 of the Heritage Act should be lodged for the site.
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1.10.2 Statement of Environmental Effects, Civic Site
Compass Planning Pty Ltd, ‘Statement of Environmental Effects: Demolition of Buildings within the Newcastle Civic Centre Site, comprising Civic Arcade, former Energy Australia showrooms Civic Hotel and Gould Building’ (September 2011). This assessed the potential impact of the demolition and removal of the buildings following the sale by Newcastle City Council of subject land to the University of Newcastle in 2012. It noted that:
Demolition will be limited to the top of the existing ground level concrete slabs. Concrete slabs are to remain in place. Where buildings have timber ground floors, demolition will remove the flooring, sub floor structure and piers. Footings are to remain in ground. The bare earth surfaces are to be protected with geo fabric for future archaeological examination.
In May 2013, all structures on the subject land were demolished to slab level.
1.11 Heritage Places: Strategic Plan and Plans of Management Newcastle City Council, ‘Heritage Places: Strategic Plan and Plans of Management’ (June 1998, amended 2009).
This Plan establishes Council's objectives for the management of places which are in Council's care and whose predominant significance is their heritage.
2. CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS
EJE is not qualified to offer structural opinions. This report is not intended to convey any opinion as to the structural adequacy or integrity of the structure, nor should it in any way be construed as so doing. Similarly, the author’s observations are limited to the fabric only: he does not comment on the capacity, adequacy, or statutory compliance of any building services.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 12 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
3.1 Introduction The subject land was occupied by the people known as the Awabakal before their dispossession by Europeans, specifically the Australian Agricultural Company (A.A. Company). Established by Act of Parliament in 1824, the Company, promoted by powerful individuals in the United Kingdom, was granted 1,000,000 acres of land in New South Wales. The Company thereafter obtained approximately 2,000 acres west and south of the small town of Newcastle, together with privileges in the mining and sale of coal from land not previously granted to other landholders. In 1847, by way of compensation for the surrender of these privileges, the Company’s holdings were converted to freehold title, enabling it to sell land.2 The Awabakal were, of course, not consulted as to any of these proceedings.
The approximate eastern boundary of the Company’s Newcastle estate was located near what is now Crown Street. This was the site of a timber trestle bridge by which the Company’s horse tramway system conveyed coal to the harbour-side ship loading staiths. The structure was so low that riders seeking safe passage along Charlton Street (now Hunter Street) had either to dismount or to doff their headdress and bend themselves down to their horses’ necks, while horse and bullock drays had often to be unloaded so as to pass beneath the bridge, then reloaded on the other side. This, of course, greatly retarded the development not only of the city of Newcastle but also of its port, although the Company was gradually forced to permit access across its land to the waterfront.3
The Company’s sale in 1853 of suburban lots west of Crown Street, together with the construction of dwellings and shops on the much-disputed Church of England estate at Honeysuckle Point, were the genesis of a municipal district called Honeysuckle Ward. All four allotments making up the subject land (Lot 71-74 in Section A) were purchased in 1855 by Isaac Eggleson (Lot 71 and Lot 72), Everett Summers (Lot 73) and William Henry Whyte (Lot 74).4 On these lots were constructed a mixture of residential dwellings and commercial premises, the largest of them addressing the low and sandy Maitland road, which between the A.A. Company’s bridge and the Cottage Bridge, where it met Cottage Creek was called Blane Street.
Rate records show that during the 19th century the commercial premises operating on the study site included Breckenridge’s drapery; the Princess Royal Hotel; Crofts’ newsagent and stationary shop; and the colliery, ironmongery and machinery supplies establishment of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers, together with cobbler’s, grocer’s, barber’s, confectioner’s, picture framer’s and tobacconist’s shops. Although some buildings were partially occupied for residential purposes, for a century and a half the main focus has been on commercial activity, which had three stages: first, the European settlement of Honeysuckle Point; second, the development of railway facilities; and third, the development nearby of the Newcastle civic centre.
2 See generally Damaris Bairstow, A Million Pounds, A Million Acres: the Pioneer Settlement of the Australian Agricultural Company. Cremorne: the Author, 2003 and Pennie Pemberton, Pure Merinos and Others: the ‘Shipping Lists’ of the Australian Agricultural Company. Canberra: Australian National University, Archives of Business and Labour, 1986. 3 David Campbell, ‘Railways of the Newcastle District of New South Wales, 1840 – 1865: Some Influences on their Development’, in Stories of the GNR (CD). Newcastle: Engineers Australia and Newcastle Regional Museum, 2007. 4 See Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, p. 3.
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3.2 Indigenous Context Aboriginal people are thought to have lived in the Hunter River district for at least 30,000 years BP (Before the Present).5 The formerly serpentine waterway now known as Cottage Creek for thousands of years flowed into a much larger area of shifting tidal flats where Throsby Creek met the Hunter River. The interface appears to have been composed of a body of sand in the form of a beach with low sand dunes.6 Parts of this locality, the extent of which cannot be closely defined, were long occupied and utilised by the Awabakal people not only for subsistence but for the manufacturing of stone tools, including hammer stones, anvils, grinding stones, chopping tools, scrapers and backed blades. Production of such blades appears to have begun around 3 500 years BP, after which it became the primary local activity.7 Manufacture involved the heating of stone by fire before the stone was chipped; the finished product was not simply stockpiled, but removed for use or to supply the demand for trade goods.8 Raw materials included not only tuff from the areas between Nobby’s and Merewether Beach but, from about 2 480 years BP, exotic stone such as silicrete, sandstone and quartzite. Some of these may have been brought from over 11km away.9 It is thought that such tool making began some 6 700 years BP and continued without significant interruption until an unknown date after European incursion.10
Exploitation of shell fish appears to have begun in earnest some 1,933 years BP; considerable deposits of their shells built up along the creek banks.11 The estuarine waters were rich in potential harvests of eels and fish,12 and the fresh water available in the area attracted animals suitable for hunting.13
The arrival of significant numbers convicts and soldiers in association with the establishment of Newcastle as a place of secondary punishment for convicts gradually changed all this, but not before some Europeans were able to observe something of traditional culture.
A glimpse of the activities of the Aboriginal people is provided by two surviving paintings by Joseph Lycett, a convict artist and repeat offender banished from Sydney to Newcastle from 1815 to 1818 or 1819. Aborigines Resting by a Campfire Near the Mouth of the Hunter River, Newcastle, N.S.W. and Corroboree at Newcastle. These were, of course, executed from a European perspective; yet they evince a sympathetic and sharp eye, and are an invaluable insight into a way of life that was later swept away.14
5 John Heath, ‘Muloobinbah: The Contribution of Aboriginal People to the Resources of the Hunter Region’, in Riverchange: Six New Histories of the Hunter. Newcastle: Newcastle Region Library, 1998, p.41. 6 AHMS, Section 87/90 Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit No. 1098622, Excavation Report for SBA Architects, Final Report 13 May 2011. Sydney: AHMS 2011, Appendix 4, Ground Truth Consulting Pty Ltd Geomorphological Report. 7 AHMS, Excavation Report, p.82. 8 Ibid, p.85. 9 Ibid, p.82. 10 Ibid, p.85. 11 Ibid, p.81. 12 James Grant, The Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery, Performed in His Majesty’s Vessel The Lady Nelson, of Sixty Tons Burthen, With Sliding Keels, in the Years 1800, 1801 and 1802, to New South Wales. London: T. Edgerton, Military Library, Whitehall, 1803, p.154. 13 Ibid, p.153; Grant notes that Surgeon Harris and Ensign Barrallier during their travels saw many kangaroos in the area. 14 For details of Lycett’s life and work at Newcastle, see John Turner, Joseph Lycett: Governor Macquarie’s Convict Artist. Newcastle: Hunter History Publications, 1997, pp. 79-94.
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Figure 9. Joseph Lycett, ‘Aborigines Resting by a Camp Fire near the Mouth of the Hunter River, Newcastle, NSW’. The accuracy of Lycett’s perspective work suggests that the view is from Honeysuckle Point, later obliterated, or the area now called Wickham. Nobbys is the focal point, while Signal Hill is shown with its lookout post and smoking coal-fired navigational beacon. Here Lycett has captured some of the details of everyday life, including the close relationship between humans, animals and landscape. European sensibilities have forced him to dress his subjects in loincloths, which the Awabakal were far too sensible to wear. Newcastle Region Art Gallery.
Figure 10. Joseph Lycett, ‘Corroboree at Newcastle’ (c. 1818). Newcastle Region Art Gallery
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 15 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Although in 1823 the penal station was moved to Port Macquarie, partly to discourage the convicts from attempting to escape to Sydney, prisoners remained at Newcastle to work the coal mines, and to undertake public works such as the building of the Macquarie Pier to Nobbys, which was then an island. Some Army Officers, posted to Newcastle to supervise the soldiers guarding over the convicts, were on good terms with the Awabakal people. Lieutenant William Sacheverel Coke, for instance, while Officer in Charge of the military garrison in 1827, wrote to his sisters that
There are a number of the Natives always about us, they carry each a Spear and Club but have no Covering, they go out a shooting or fishing with us or for us and are very honest and never steal; they always sleep in the open Air and will never live in Cottages or Cultivate the Land, as they can kill plenty of Kangaroos and catch fish.15
Coke enjoyed a particular friendship with an imposing and confident Awabakal man whom the Europeans called Desmond. Coke recollected that
Once when lying ill with cholera…and not expected to recover, Desmond came and bent over me and said ‘Never mind, I will see that you are buried like a warrior’.16
Coke was also acquainted Magill, a member of a Lake Macquarie clan. Magill, who later assumed the name of Biraban, once presented Coke with duck, teal and widgeon to eat, and a satin bower bird to stuff as a curiosity.17 Biraban later became friends with Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld, missionary to the Awabakal, who for a time lived in the government cottage after which Cottage Creek is named.
Figure 11. Biraban (Magill), 1839, drawn by Alfred Agate of the United States Exploring Expedition. Charles Wilkes, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, vol. II, 1845
15 ‘To the Miss Cokes, Brookhill Hall, Derbyshire, from William Coke, New Castle, April 2nd 1827’, in Cynthia Hunter, The 1827 Newcastle Notebook and Letters of Lieutenant William S. Coke, H.M. 39th Regiment. Raymond Terrace: Hunter House Publications, 1997, p. 83. 16 Recollection of William Coke, Derbyshire Times, 12 September 1891, in, Cynthia Hunter, The 1827 Notebook and Letters, p. 79. 17 Notebook of Lt. William Coke, in Cynthia Hunter, The 1827 Notebook and Letters.
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Figure 12. Augustus Earle, ‘Desmond, a N.S. Wales Chief Painted for a Karobbery or Native Dance’, c. 1826. Newcastle Region Art Gallery
3.3 The Site The area surrounding the present City Hall and Civic Theatre, which in 1929 became known as the Civic Block, was originally marshy, with trees extending above the water-logged ground. A small creek ran through the area today occupied by Civic Park to the Hunter River.18 When, in 1854, Archibald Rodgers, returning to Australia from a visit to his native Fifeshire, obtained from the A.A. Company a low-lying site on which to establish his iron and brass foundry, he had to fill portion of the site to a depth of some six feet before he commenced construction work, although even this did not always protect his premises from localised flooding. Rodgers had been attracted not only by the development of the local coal mining industry, but by the commencement of what was later known as the Great Northern Railway, the first terminus of which was at Honeysuckle Point.19 The line was afterwards extended into Newcastle proper, although the passenger station, as rebuilt, remained open to the public into the mid-1930s, when it was replaced by two new stations, known as Wickham and Civic.20
18 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 May 1940, p. 5. 19 Distilled from information passed down to the present author, a descendant of Archibald Rodgers. 20 Ron Preston, The Great Northern Railway: Newcastle to Maitland 1857 – 1982. Newcastle: Australian Railway Historical Society (Newcastle Branch), 1982, pp. 13-15, 19, 26-27.
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Figure 13. John Armstrong, Plan of the Town of Newcastle in New South Wales, showing its Present Actual State, with Part of the Adjoining Country and the Coal Works of the Australian Agricultural Company, from a Careful Survey in 1830. The subject land, well to the west of the government town, in shown in red. Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand.
Figure 14. ‘Plan of the City of Newcastle, County of Nothumberland NSW’, c. 1857, but considerably amended thereafter, showing subject land at the corner of Blane Street and Auckland Street. Note buildings in and around Honeysuckle Point. State Records, AO Map 4405.
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Figure 15 Portion of A.A. Company subdivision map by George Eld Darby, mid-1850s. The subject land comprises part of Section A of the subdivision. It would appear that the land reservation for what would become Auckland Street may not have formed part of Darby’s original scheme. Mitchell Library, Z M3 811.251 1853.1
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 19 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 16. ‘Plan of Suburban Allotments and Allotments on Blane and Macquarrie Streets (“Commonly called the Maitland and Macquarrie Roads”)’ . Parts of this map, probably dating from the mid-1850s, has been considerably updated to show some developments up to about 1870. Note that the southern extension of Auckland Street is shown as being merely reserved, rather than formed. National Library of Australia, Map F831.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 20 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 17. Map showing the relationship of the subject land to two employment generators, the Honeysuckle Point railway workshops and the A. A. Company’s coal loading staiths, office, coal yards and workshops. Honeysuckle Point railway station, further to the west, is not shown. The large carriage shed between Blane Street and the railway was erected in the mid-1870s; in the 1930s, it was demolished to make way for Civic railway station. State Library of New South Wales (Reference Map 1588)
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 21 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 18. Part of a c1886 plan showing occupants and the number of storeys per building.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 22 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 19. Part of an 1893 plan of Newcastle, showing development made to the block containing the current study site. Structural Fire Insurance Plan, City of Newcastle, sheet 2. State Library of NSW, M4 311.251
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 23 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Figure 20. A c1896 plan showing specific changes to lot 72 and 74 since the 1886 plan. Hunter District Water Board, Sheet 26 (Hunter Photobank 30600094)
A sandy and sometimes boggy Blane Street, which in 1889 was renamed Hunter Street West, was itself gradually raised in height as it was further developed by the municipality. During the mid-1860s, Auckland Street, named for the Earl of Auckland,21 was formed and guttered between Blane Street and Lower Church Street (now King Street),22 allowing further development to take place, although its extension to Laman Street was not dedicated to Council until 1882.23 By 1886, there was a timber yard at the intersection of Auckland Street and Lower Church Street. Nearby stood a well-known disorderly house, the occupant of which is said to have been associated with a gang of local larrikins who, after robbing passers-by and ducking them in a horse trough near the corner of Blane Street and Auckland Street, would then progress further south to spend the remainder of the evening in disturbing the peace near the aforementioned house.24
3.3.1 Owners and Occupants of Lot 71 and 72, Section A2526 Isaac Eggleson (also noted in records as ‘Eggleston’ and ‘Eccleston’) purchased Lot 71 and 72 in Section A of the A.A. Company’s subdivision in 1855. Both allotments were purchased for £109. Isaac was convicted in 1832 in Durham, Northern England, and was sent to Newcastle
21 Sometime Governor-General of India and First Lord of the Admiralty. Many prominent shareholders of the East India Company, on whose behalf Auckland administered British India, also owned shares in the A.A. Company, or were members of the Court of Directors. 22 Newcastle Chronicle and Hunter River District News, 6 April 1864, p. 2. 23 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 19 July 1882, p. 2 24 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 30 January 1888, p. 6.
26 Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, pp. 23-24.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 24 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle aboard the Isabella that same year. On his arrival, Eggleson became a mine worker assigned to the A.A. Company. By the time of the subdivision and sale, Eggleson must have completed his sentence in order for him to purchase land in 1855.
Eggleson was already listed as a storekeeper in 1852, which suggests that he left the coal mines upon the termination of his sentence. It is not known where his initial premises were located, although this must have been elsewhere in Newcastle as the A.A. Company’s first subdivision and sales started in 1853. A plan dated to c. 1857 shows the presence of a single large building fronting Blane Street (now Hunter Street), which had been constructed by Eggleson for his general store. Occupation and use of the land by Eggleson was short lived. A newspaper advertisement dated to August 1858 indicates that both lot 71 and 72 were for sale. A newpaper description of the site outlines the development during Eggleson’s ownership:
For sale by private contract, a half-acre allotment of land having 132 feet frontage, directly opposite the Railway station, Honeysuckle Point, Newcastle, whereon is erected 4 substantial weather-boarded houses all of hard wood, each containing 4 rooms; also 2 wood and iron houses, one with 5 rooms and wash-house, the other 3 rooms; also a two- stall stable and out sheds the whole has been erected in the last 4 years; there is yet 79 feet of the frontage not built on.
The newspaper article also lists that building materials such as sawing timber and hard wood were for sale on the site. These materials may have been excess materials associated with the construction of the buildings on lot 71 and 72. The four single storey weatherboard cottages are believed to be those buildings fronting Blane Street on lot 72, with the other buildings and stables situated at the rear. Lot 71 appears to have been mostly vacated and unused by Eggleson, with the part of a building from neighbouring lot 13 extending onto the rear section of lot 71. Isaac Eggleson sold his property to James Dodds Junior in January 1860. Eggleson had already moved to East Maitland prior to the sale, as a newspaper article dated to July 1859 advertises the opening of his new general store.
James Dodds Junior purchased lot 71 and 72 for £1255. The sharp rise between the original purchase by Eggleson and his sale to James Dodds Junior is a direct reflection of development made to the allotments. James Dodds Junior was a Scottish immigrant, who as early as the 1830s was living at East Maitland. James was listed as being an Auctioneer, and expanded his business upon the arrival of his brother Alexander in 1834. James sold the Blane Street allotments to Alexander on the 11th June 1861 for £1400.
Alexander Dodds was born in Scotland in 1814 to James and Helen Dodds (nee Gray). At the age of 20, Dodds immigrated to Australia with his sister Margaret aboard the North Briton, whereby they went to live with their elder brother James. Alexander married Mary Dickson in 1850 and together they had six children: Helen Elizabeth (b. 1851), Alexander James (b. 1853), Frederick (b. 1854), William Gordon (b. 1856), Mary Agnes (b. 1859) and Christina Margaret Dodds (b. 1862). Dodds continued to live in East Maitland with his family and does not appear to have ever occupied the property. While running an auctioneering business with his brother, Alexander held a vested interest in the political running of his local town. Dodds was elected Mayor of East Maitland in 1863 and served until at least 1872. He was also a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly from 1864 until 1872, and in 1885 was appointed to the NSW Legislative Council. Rates records indicate that, by the late 1860s, Dodds was leasing the majority of the buildings known from Eggleson’s sale advertisement. It may be suggested that no significant development had taken place since the sale, as four one storey wooden cottages
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 25 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle and two iron houses are listed as being owned and leased by Dodds in 1869. The annual value of the dwellings ranged from £13 - £24, with none of the properties described as shops. In October 1875, Dodds employed Architect James Henderson to establish four new shops and dwelling houses on his Blane Street property. Tenders were advertised for tradesmen, and a description of the new complex of buildings was written during their construction in August 1876:
It comprises four six-roomed houses, each having a depth of 16x18 feet, adjoining the Post Office Hotel. The buildings are of the most substantial description; the material used in their construction being stone, brick and hardwood; and they have been fitted throughout with every requisite both in the dwelling and business portions...We are informed that the block when finished will have cost over £2000.
It is not known when exactly construction was completed. Rate records dated to 1877 note that at least one of Dodd’s leased properties contained a shop and dwelling, and the 1878 records show four buildings being leased, only one of which is listed as containing six rooms. A plan dated to 1886 shows the new two storey building and associated tenants and shopfronts on lot 71 to include a grocer, confectioner, agent and tobacconist. A smaller rectangular building also fronts Blane Street on lot 72, which may be one of the original buildings constructed when owned by Eggleson. Alexander Dodds and his family appear to have moved from East Maitland to Willoughby during the mid-1870s. This move may have been prompted by the death of Alexander’s brother and business partner, James Dodds Junior, in 1874. Alexander’s wife Mary died at their new residence in 1885, followed by Alexander in 1892.
At the time of Alexander’s death, lot 71 and 72 was passed to his two eldest sons, Alexander and Frederick. Both were both living in Sydney at the time of their father’s death and appear to have continued leasing the numerous properties on the site. An 1896 plan shows that the Dodds brothers had demolished and constructed a new dwelling fronting Hunter Street West (formerly Blane Street) and occupied by Fuller and Rodgers, formerly Fuller, Moar and Rodgers, general ironmongers, iron, steel and machinery merchants. The late 1870s two storey building on lot 71 was still standing during the 1890s development on lot 72. Fuller and Rodgers continued to trade until around 1907, whereupon A. Goninan and Co. Ltd, engineering manufacturers, were listed as the new tenants. In 1913, Alexander James and Frederick Dodds sold lot 71 and 72 to A. Goninan and Co. Ltd.
A. Goninan and Co. Ltd purchased the two allotments on the 10th November 1913 for £10,500. This local engineering and manufacturing company was established by Alfred Goninan, who had arrived in Australia during the 1890s. His first business was situated at Wickham, where the manufacturing of coal hopper wagons and colliery equipment took place. Goninan also established a company known as the Engineers and Colliery Supplies (E. and C. S. Co Ltd). By the 1920s the whole of lot 72 was encompassed with buildings that included the 1890s store, a new warehouse and iron shed taking the entire southern rear section of lot 71 and 72. All three buildings were being utilised by Engineers and Colliery Supplies. The late 1870s building fronting lot 71, constructed under the ownership of Alexander Dodds, was still standing and occupied by various shopkeepers during ownership by Goninan. In 1932 the Union Bank of Australia became the joint owners of lot 71 and 72 with A. Goninan and Co. Ltd. In 1935, both parties sold their shares to the Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd for the sum of £21,750.
Upon transfer of the property, all previous standing buildings save the large iron shed at the rear of lot 71 and 72 were demolished and replaced by a larger two storey building taking the
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 26 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle entire Hunter Street frontage. The new building was completed and opened in 1937. A newspaper article describes the ground floor consisting of six individual shopfronts, the first floor being divided to accommodate six separate offices. The Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd did not occupy the premises, rather having constructed it for investment purposes. The entirety of the property was sold in 1853 to Victor, Leonard, Ronald and Leslie Fines, for £65,000.
The Fines family were all involved in the local hotel industry and had expanded their interests into property development during the mid-20th century. In September 1954 the Fines family sold 1 a small southern section of lot 71 and 72 totalling 21 /2 perches to Nock and Kirby Limited who owned adjacent lot 73. As a compromise, Nock and Kirby Limited granted a deed for Right of Way access at the eastern edge of lot 73 to be used by those occupants on lot 71 and 72. In 1960, Fines Investments Pty Ltd initiated a large extension to the rear of the existing 1937 building constructed by the Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd. The extension created a two-storey “arcade” shopping complex which comprised of 18 ground floor shops and 12 first floor shops. The Civic Arcade was officially opened in June 1961.
1 Fines Investments Pty Ltd sold lot 71 and 72; now only measuring 1 rood 18 /4 perches, to Newgate Property Investments Pty Ltd in 1972. The property was passed through several other hands until its purchase by Newcastle City Council in 1994.
3.3.2 Lot 73 in Section A27 Everett (also spelt Everitt) Summers purchased Lot 73 in Section A from the Australian Agricultural Company on the 7th September 1855 for £60. Summers was brought out from England by the A.A. Company as a labourer. By the time Summers purchased the Blane Street allotment, he was noted as an Overseer and was working on the Platt’s Mill Estate. The first evidence for occupation of Summers’ land dates to the late 1850s, whereby an 1858 plan shows the presence of a rectangular building at the southern rear of the property, taking the entire width of the allotment. It is possible that this early building was occupied by Summers himself, with later land development leased out to other tenants. Newcastle rates records dating to 1868 indicate that three, one storey wooden dwellings were present on the site fronting Blane Street. One dwelling was occupied by Summers, another by David Fuller and the last by Summers’ brother Edward. Everett and his brother Edward occupied the same dwellings in 1869, with the third dwelling having switched tenants to R. Collier. Each wooden dwelling was valued at £15 per annum. Everitt Summers continued to occupy one of the dwellings on the site for residential purposes until its sale during the late 1870s.
According to the Newcastle rates records, Samuel Watson had purchased lot 73 from Everitt Summers during 1876-1877. Watson was living in Sydney as a landholder and investor in property development. Soon after his purchase, Watson constructed another weatherboard/wooden house; 1878 rates records listed four dwellings present on lot 73, all of which were being leased out. No information is offered as to whether these dwellings at this point in time were utilised for residential purposes only, however considering the surrounding environment one can assume that some shops were likely operating. Watson did not own the property for long, having sold lot 73 in 1884.
27 Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, pp. 24-27.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 27 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Land title documents indicate that David Miller purchased lot 73 from Samuel Watson in 1884 for £1450. A plan dated to approximately 1886 still notes Watson as owning and living on a dwelling on the study site. No other evidence has been found to suggest that Watson still owned the property at this point, let along ever occupied the property, having lived in Sydney his whole life. It can be suggested that the early plan contains an error in date, and furthermore the ‘Watson’ labelled as occupying the property could be a different individual.
David Miller was born in Newcastle in 1845 to William and Mary A Miller. David appears to have spent his entire life living in Newcastle and was described as being a grocer. David married Margaret A. Crocker in Newcastle in 1867. Together they had five children: David (b1867), Eliza (b1869), Laura (b1882), Harold (b1883) and Thomas (b1878). As a local businessman, Miller held much interest in the politics of Newcastle and was an Alderman during the 1890s. Miller and his family are not believed to have ever occupied the study site. An 1886 and 1896 plan shows the building developments that occurred on site during Miller’s ownership. By 1886 the site appears to contain five dwellings and a large shed, one of them a new two storey weatherboard building adjacent to lot 74. The 1896 plan infers that extensions have been made to both buildings fronting Blane Street and the shed and original 1850s building at the rear of the allotment has been removed. In 1897, David transferred ownership of lot 73 to his wife Margaret. Records suggest that Chinese immigrants were leasing the weatherboard cottages at the rear of lot 73. It is possible that market plots may have occupied some of the associated yard space during the late 19th century.
Margaret A. Miller died in 1905, followed by David in 1919. Upon David’s death, lot 73 was passed to his surviving children. Harold Miller, the executor of David’s will, sold the property in 1937. The Australian Provincial Assurance Association Limited purchased lot 73 for £10,250. This company had already purchased adjacent lot 71 and 72 two years earlier for the construction of a new shops and offices.
The Australian Provincial Assurance Association Limited sold lot 73 to Thomas Peter and Mary Agnes Sobb, well-known local house furnishers, in July 1953 for £25,000. This land was then sold to Nock and Kirby Limited, a company founded by Thomas Nock and Herbert Kirby. In 1959, Nock and Kirby Limited began construction on a modern, new store which included “drive through shopping” and roof top parking with a service station. The development, which represented a new trend in the sale of consumer goods, was estimated to have cost £100,000. Although the store was successful, growing competition and a lack of space eventually lead to the closure of the store, which in late 1979 was sold to Flints (Smithfield). In June 1982 the Shortland County Council purchased the property for $1.1 million.
3.3.3 Lot 74 in Section A28 William Henry Whyte purchased lot 74 in Section A of the Australian Agricultural Company’s subdivision on the 7th September 1855. Whyte was a shipping agent and auctioneer who lived on Watt Street, the commercial hub of Newcastle. He and his wife Mary Ann appear to have resided on Watt Street for the majority of their lives and are not believed to have ever occupied the site. The first evidence for the use of lot 74 dates to 1858, whereby a rectangular building
28 Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, pp. 24-26.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 28 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle fronting Auckland Street is positioned on both lot 74 and partly on adjacent lot 16. This building belonged to Whyte, having advertised for its construction in July 1857:
Tenders are required for the erection of a two-storey brick building and baker’s oven on the property of the undersigned, adjoining Auckland Street, and opposite the Great Northern Railway Terminus, Honeysuckle Point.
Although the building was constructed, Whyte must have fallen into some financial difficulty, advertising for the sale of his new building, the entire lot 74 and also lot 75 on the opposite side of Auckland Street in 1859. At the time of the sale a Mr Wright is listed as the occupant. It does not appear that the property sold, as the following year Whyte took out a mortgage on several allotments of land which included lot 74. Rates records dated to 1868 and 1869 indicate that the two storey brick dwelling was still standing on Whyte’s property, pulling in an annual value of £72. By 1869, Whyte had defaulted on his mortgage with the Australian Trust Company and his land was subsequently sold off. Atkinson Alfred Patrick Tighe purchased lot 74 and 75 on the 14th September 1869 for £350.
Atkinson Alfred Patrick Tighe was born in 1827 to Lieutenant Robert Tighe and his wife Sarah while they were at sea near Corfu. Tighe’s father Robert was a prominent member of the English Military and was subsequently given a 2000 acre land grant in Newcastle called Bingle Hill (now Tighes Hill). Atkinson married Arabella Vine Grove in Darlinghurst in July 1858 and together they had seven surviving children: Ada (b. 1860), Arthur (b1862), Mabel (b. 1868), Eva Laura (b. 1870), William (b. 1872), Maude (b. 1874) and Henry (b. 1877). Tighe appears to have lived in both Newcastle and Sydney, as his children are registered as having been born in Paddington or Newcastle. Regardless of this, the Tighe family never occupied the study site.
Atkinson held a large business influence and political presence within Newcastle; the suburb town name of Bingle Hill having been changed to Tighes Hill in his honour. Business adventures by Atkinson included being a director of the Waratah Coal Co. and an owner of a slaughter yard within Tighes Hill. He was also a local councillor and was heavily involved in political affairs regarding industrial affairs in Newcastle, and he was also the police magistrate for the area between 1874 and 1878. Atkinson appears to have returned to Sydney following his retirement; his death in 1905 was at his home in Glebe Point.
Substantial business ventures were established by Tighe regarding the study site. In around 1869-1870, Robert Breckenridge, a timber merchant, established a 21 year lease with Tighe for a new drapery business. The business was for his wife, and a large two storey building was constructed on the corner of Auckland and Blane Streets. The ground floor was used for the shopfront while the first floor was used for residential purposes. Breckenridge’s business was one of the longest running premises on the entire study site, having operated well into the 1910s. Also during Tighe’s ownership, a two storey hotel was established. Newcastle rate records dated to 1876 indicate that a baker’s shop and dwelling was operating directly adjacent to Breckenridge’s store. The owner is listed as a Mr Aderton, however it is more likely that this is the owner of the bakery itself as Atkinson Tighe still owned the allotment.
Based on occupation dates, it is possible that both buildings for the bakery and drapery were constructed at the same time and subsequently leased out following completion of construction. By 1878, the dwelling occupying the bakery was now operating as the Princess Royal Hotel; the proprietor of the hotel at the time was Mr H. Hewitt. Steady development continued on lot 74 during Tighe’s ownership. A weatherboard extension to the rear of Breckenridge’s drapery store had been constructed by 1886 along with another building also present behind the Princess
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 29 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Royal Hotel. During the early 1890s, the existing weatherboard hotel building was removed and replaced by a two storey brick building. Breckenridge’s remained operating on site until 1918. By the start of the 20th century, the hotel had been renamed the Federal Hotel.
When Atkinson Alfred Patrick Tighe died in 1905, his assets were passed to his surviving children and grandchildren. Under their ownership, the Federal Hotel operated throughout the 20th century. The ‘Oddfellow’s Hall’, located at 5 Auckland Street, constructed by 1910 for the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, consisted of a three-storey brick building. A land title document containing a sketch dated to 1910 shows lot 74 in its subdivided form. While land title documents still list the owner of the entirety of lot 74 as members of the Tighe family, the sketch infers that the Grand United Order of Oddfellows are owners and occupiers. It is possible that there is an error in the document, however which part is the actual error remains unknown.
In April 1950, a now subdivided lot 74 was sold to Goolds Pty Limited for £25,500. Goolds retained the land until 1965 whereby it was sold to J.A. Simpson Investments Pty Limited in 1984.
3.4 Site Development29
The entire study site area has been exposed to several phases of development over multiple periods, primarily dependent on the use of each allotment at a certain time. Prior to the use of the area and later subdivision by the Australian Agricultural Company, the greater area of the study site, being located some distance to the west of the city proper, was void of European settlement and development. Although the subject land was within the A. A. Company’s grant, there is no evidence to suggest that any buildings or structures were located on or in close vicinity to the current study site during the early period of occupation. Most known structures were positioned further east and south of the study site and along the shorelines. The first known phases of development to the site occurred after the sales of the subdivided allotments during the mid-1850s.
3.4.1 Lot 71 and 72 in Section A
The first evidence for occupation and use of lot 71 and 72 dates to the mid-1850s. A plan dated to approximately 1857 shows a rectangular structure fronting Blane Street (now Hunter Street). Based on a sale advertisement, the structure consisted of four weatherboard cottages within one structure containing common walls. An 1858 plan shows that another two dwellings had been constructed at the rear and centre of the allotments, both described as “wood and iron houses”.
The next substantial phase of development occurred during the late 1870s, with the construction of four two storey brick buildings on the vacant portion of land fronting Blane Street. This is known from newspaper articles and rates records, although the first visual evidence of the development dates to 1886. The 1886 plan also indicates that the weatherboard building at the rear of lot 72 had since been demolished, and that the original 1850s cottages remained in Blane Street. No visual or documentary evidence has been found to suggest that any of the buildings contained basement or cellar levels. The 1886 plan notes
29 Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, pp. 34-37.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 30 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle the number of levels of each dwelling, and those specified as containing two levels have all been identified as two storey buildings at this point in time.
The two storey brick building on lot 71 for the accommodation of four shopfronts continued to be occupied until the 1930s. The mid-1850s cottages were demolished sometime after 1886, and by 1893 had been replaced with a one storey brick building. This building, occupied by Fuller and Rodgers, took up roughly one third of lot 72. A warehouse and shed was constructed during the 1910s to early 1920s, the construction material utilised for the two structures was likely corrugated iron. Following this construction, the entire ground surface of lot 72 was covered with buildings, and almost the entirety of lot 71 with the exception of a right of way leading to rear yard space for the four 1870s brick buildings fronting Hunter Street.
The final main phase of development dates to the mid-1930s, when the buildings fronting Hunter Street on lot 71 and 72 were demolished and removed for the construction of a brick two storey commercial building containing both shopfronts and office space. The iron shed and warehouse previously used as storage by the Engineering and Colliery Supply Co Limited is still standing at the rear of the property known from a 1945 aerial photograph. The new building fronting Hunter Street later occupied the entire two allotments at the rear in around 1960. This development phase was the last prior to the demolition of all buildings on the study site to ground level in May 2013.
3.4.2 Lot 73 in Section A
The first visual evidence for development and occupation of lot 73 dates to an 1858 plan, while the property was owned by Everett Summers. Documentary evidence suggests that Summers may have been occupying the dwelling himself for residential purposes, with rate records dating to the late 1860s noting that Everett is one of the occupants on his property. By 1868 three, one storey wooden dwellings are present on the land which suggests that the original dwelling known from 1858 was constructed out of wood/weatherboard. It appears that all three dwellings were utilised as residential homes, as the rate records did not specify the presence of any shops. By 1878 a fourth weatherboard cottage had been constructed on lot 73.
A plan dated to 1886 offers the first evidence for the position and location of buildings on the allotment. The plan indicates that the original late 1850s building once occupied by Summers is still standing, with a building labelled ‘shed’ connected at the eastern front of the rectangular dwelling. Fronting Blane Street were two weatherboard buildings separated by a right of way in the centre of the lot and leading to the buildings at the rear. The building adjacent to lot 74 had been renovated or rebuilt to include a second storey and both buildings fronting Blane Street could house two shops each. Documentary evidence suggests that during the late 19th century, those dwellings at the rear were being leased by Chinese migrants and that the subsequent space was used for market gardens. A plan dated to 1893 shows that the original late 1850s weatherboard dwelling had been removed. The 1896 plan indicates that the same buildings were present, however one of the weatherboard dwellings on the western fence line of the lot behind the two storey building known then as 137-139 Blane Street contained two cottages connected by a common wall. No historical information yet found has suggested the presence of basement or cellar levels in any of the 19th century buildings.
Further modern development to lot 73 did not occur until the mid-20th century. In 1959 all structures on the lot were demolished and removed for the construction of Nock & Kirby’s one storey brick commercial building containing roof top parking and a service station on top. The
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 31 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle building took approximately half of the allotment, the rear area being surfaced with asphalt for car parking.
3.4.3 Lot 74 in Section A A newspaper article dated to July 1857 contains an advertisement calling for tenders for the construction of a “two storey brick building and baker’s oven”. By 1858, a plan shows the presence of one building fronting Auckland Street at the rear of lot 74 and partially positioned on adjacent lot 16. If the premises were purpose built for the operation of a bakery, it is possible that the building may have had some form of cellar or basement level constructed. As dough requires to be kept in a cool place for preservation, many bakeries used cellars for the storage of dough prior to baking. Concerning development to the front of the allotment, two substantial buildings were constructed during the 1870s. The buildings were constructed separately; Breckenridge’s store, located on the corner, was a large two storey brick building, and the bakery was a smaller two storey weatherboard dwelling. The first floor of Breckenridge’s draper was used as a residence; by 1886 a weatherboard extension had been added to the rear of the building.
By 1878 the bakery had been converted into a hotel, the Princess Royal. While no evidence has been found, it is possible a basement or cellar level underneath the 1870s weatherboard building existed and was utilised by the bakery and later hotel. The 1886 plan shows the presence of another one storey dwelling at the rear of the Princess Royal Hotel, which is a detached extension to the hotel. Both of these hotel buildings were demolished during the early 1890s, and were replaced by a two storey brick building which ran two thirds of the total length of the allotment. If a cellar or basement level was present within the original 1870s building, it is likely that it would have been retained during the construction of the new building as it virtually utilised the previous footprint. Based on plans from 1893 and 1896, the original 1850s brick building fronting Auckland Street appears to still be standing at the end of the 19th century. While the exterior of the building was not altered, the ground floor of Breckenridge’s Drapery now contained three individual shopfronts. Further additions to the rear of the 1870s building and alongside the weatherboard extension are known from the 1896 plan.
A plan dated to 1922 demonstrates the next phase of development to lot 74. The buildings fronting Hunter Street remain the same, however significant development has occurred to the portion of land fronting Auckland Street. The original 1850s brick dwelling has been removed and replaced by three buildings. Two buildings (known as 1 and 3 Auckland Street) appear to be two storey buildings, with the building at 5 Auckland Street noted as the ‘Oddfellows Hall’. Connected to the rear of the Oddfellows Hall is a one storey building most probably utilised as a shed or storage area. A land title document containing a sketch dated to 1910 shows lot 74 in its subdivided form. While land title documents still list the owner of the entirety of lot 74 as members of the Tighe family, the sketch infers that the Grand United Order of Oddfellows are owners and occupiers.
The Oddfellow’s Hall stood, although modified, until the clearance of the site in May 2013. During the 1930s, the building once containing Breckenridge’s drapery on the front corner of the allotment was demolished and replaced by a larger commercial building, ‘Angus House’, which also encompassed the space used by the 1890s weatherboard extension. The building known as the Federal Hotel later became known as the Civic Hotel, then as the Hunter on Hunter Hotel. The 1890s portion of the building stood, though fire- damaged, the clearance of the site in May 2013.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 32 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The Land Title Table reproduced on the following pages is reproduced from Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’:30
30 pp. 27-31.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 33 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
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Figure 21. Detail from Mahlstedt and Gee, ‘Plan of Newcastle, January 1886’, complied for insurance purposes. Masonry buildings are shown in salmon, weatherboard buildings in buff, and iron-clad structures in green. James Stuart Rodgers’ foundry is misidentified as belonging to ‘G.S.’ Rodgers. Note the collection of close-built premises grouped around the corner of Auckland Street and Blane Street. Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 22. Plan from a 1910 land title document showing the subdivision of lot 74. At this point in time it appears as if only the part of the allotment containing the Federal Hotel has been subdivided. NSW Land and Property Information (Land title document Primary Application 16936)
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Figure 23. A c.1891 photograph showing lot 74 including Breckenridge’s drapery, a tea and coffee shop and the Princess Royal Hotel. Ralph Snowball, University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
Figure 24. A c.1899 photograph, showing the developments at Breckenridge’s Drapery and the 1880s weatherboard extension at the rear. Note the electric carbon filament street lamp. Ralph Snowball, University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
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Figure 25. An April 1891 photograph with lot 73 and part of lot 72 (left) and 74 (right). Davis’ hair cutting saloon is to the right. St. Andrew’s church and manse, not long completed, are seen in the distance. The premises of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers is partly visible at extreme left. Ralph Snowball, University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
Figure 26. The next photograph in the series, showing the premises of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers, with J.S. Rodgers’ foundry visible at the end of the right-of-way; the sign dates from earlier times, before the death of Archibald Rodgers. Tuckwell’s confectionery establishment is at left. Ralph Snowball, University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
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Figure 27. Portion of a contemporary lithograph, showing the premises of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers, constructed on Lot 72 during the 1890s. Newcastle Region Library
Figure 28. The next photograph in the series shows Jackson’s picture framing shop at right, with a watchmaking and jewellery store in the centre. A rather modest Post Office Hotel occupies portion of the weatherboard terrace at left, which was later to make way for the expansion of the hostelry. The right-of-way at extreme left leads to the foundry of James Stuart Rodgers, a son of Archibald Rodgers. Ralph Snowball, University of Newcastle Cultural Collections.
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Figure 29. A late 1920s photograph of the adjacent lot 70, showing part of lot 71 (green arrow) at the right. The site is being cleared to make way for the Civic Theatre and Wheeler Place. The Post Office hotel, which had by this time grown into a much larger establishment, is in process of demolition; the famous Black Diamond Hotel has already gone, soon be followed by the J. & A. Brown dwelling and warehouse, the front yard of which was distinguished by the prominent pine trees at extreme left. Newcastle Region Library
Figure 30. Survey plan c1922 showing 20th century buildings on the site. The building line on the eastern edge of the study site extends at an angle. Detail Survey Map of the City of Newcastle (Sheet 20)
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Figure 31. A c1960s photograph of Hunter Street, showing part of the study site. The Nock and Kirby building is indicated by green arrow, Civic Arcade building indicated by blue arrow. Civic Hotel indicated by yellow arrow. Newcastle: Times Past (2005), p. 57.
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Figure 32. 2008 photograph of north-west corner of the NeW Space site. Newcastle Region Library
Figure 33. Survey plan of site. Monteath and Powys
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Figure 34. Overlay of 1830s survey plan of Newcastle onto current aerial photograph showing possible creek line through site. Study site is highlighted in red. K. Strickland and NSW Land and Property Information (2013)
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Figure 35. Overlay of an 1886 plan onto a c1858 plan of Newcastle, showing 19th century development to the study site (outlined in red). Note scale may not be accurate. K. Strickland (2013)
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Figure 36. Overlay of a 1922 plan onto an 1886 plan of the study site, showing some of the extensions made to existing buildings and new constructions. Note that scale may not be accurate. K. Strickland (2013)
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Figure 37. Archaeological Sensitivity diagram, outlining the various areas of archaeological potential. Diagram by K. Strickland using aerial photograph from NSW Land and Property Information (2012)
In 2003, it was announced by Newcastle City Council that the buildings between the Civic Theatre and University (NESCA) House would be demolished as part of a scheme to concentrate the majority of Council’s administrative and central library functions, together with part of the Museum collection.31 Although the necessary buildings were purchased, the scheme did not proceed. In 2012, the properties were sold to the University of Newcastle, which desired to construct on the site what was described as a City Campus.
3.5 The Civic Block The Civic Block, as it was known, which included the Inter-War Academic Classical-style Town Hall (now City Hall) and the Georgian Revival Civic Theatre, was opened in 1929. Both buildings were designed by Henry Eli White, a theatre architect of international renown.32 The then Mayor of Newcastle, Morris Light, was the moving spirit behind the redevelopment, his efforts being partly inspired by his favourable impressions of the town hall at Durban,33 South Africa, itself inspired by that of Belfast. Well aware of the need to make the Civic project self-
31 NSW Government Architect and Newcastle City Council, ‘Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct Draft Master Plan and Design Report’ (October 2003), p. 2. 32 See generally Ross Thorne, Cinemas of Australia via USA. Art Department, University of Sydney, 1981. The Civic bears many similarities with the White’s Palais Cinema, St. Kilda, opened in 1927; see Ross Thorne, Cinemas, pp. 249-251. 33 ‘The Life and Legacy of Morris Light (1859 – 1929)’, http://uoncc.wordpress.com/category/places/newcastle/history-of-newcastle/newcastle-city-council- history/
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 50 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle sustaining, Light ensured that lettable commercial space was included in the theatre design, thereby to service the 30-year loan by which the Civic Block was partly financed.
Scholarly opinion has it that the City Hall clock tower was inspired by architects’ impressions of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, which for centuries guarded the port of Alexandria in Egypt: some of its elements, particularly its stepped roof and portico, are said to owe much to the Egyptian style popularised by Howard Carter’s discovery in 1922 of the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings.34 The classically-formed brazier surmounting the tower is symbolic of light: the illumination of the four clock faces, and of the Hellenic tetrastyle, columned, temple structure above them, which may perhaps owe something to contemporary ideas as to the original design of the ruined tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus,35 symbolises the bringing of light to a Civic Centre formerly occupied by strictly utilitarian buildings such as those of Rodgers’ Newcastle Iron and Brass Foundry, Post Office Hotel and Black Diamond Hotel. This last, once famous amongst sailors and trade unionists, was then unoccupied, and had most certainly seen better days. The resumption and demolition of these buildings, together with Breckenridge’s timber yard opposite, transformed this portion of a traditionally industrial area, although it took decades for further resumptions and demolitions to complete the process.
Morris Light, a Russian immigrant who appears to have left his native land to escape religious persecution,36 was a retailer of domestic furnishings whose main store, far enough to the west of the Civic Block to protect him from accusations of self-interest, in a clever play on words was advertised as ‘The House of Lights’. Light and his very capable wife, not content with mere business success in the operation of shops at Carrington,37 Newcastle and Cessnock, also offered their skills to the wider community.38 Light’s election as Mayor of Newcastle was the culmination of these efforts, although his habit of straight-speaking, coupled with his personal determination, had in some quarters attracted a certain degree of enmity. Light’s technological knowledge led him to champion the electrification of the Newcastle tramway system. Before his election as an Alderman of the Council of the City of Newcastle, Light had served as an Alderman and Mayor of the municipality of Carrington. He is said, also, to have introduced consumer credit to the Newcastle district. These activities, together with a humanistic outlook and attitudes sympathetic to the Empire, encouraged the local press to describe him during his term as Mayor of Newcastle as “The light that shines over Newcastle Council”.39
Light was a member of two institutions, the Newcastle Synagogue (Congregation Beth Yesroel) and Lodge Fraternity of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales,40 to which the theme and allegory of light was spiritually significant.41 Light, together with his supporters, Alderman M.J. Moroney and Alderman H.M. Shedden, died before its completion.42 They had overcome considerable opposition to their plans, not least that presented by colliery proprietor and
34 See Marguerite Johnson, ‘What to Look for in a Mayor; or Classical Reception in the Coalopolis’, in Melbourne Historical Journal, Vol. 40, Issue 2, p. 18. 35 Which had themselves inspired the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, for which the foundation stone was laid in late 1927. 36 He appears to have anglicised his surname from Licht (German for ‘light’, Yiddish for ‘light’ or ‘candle’). 37 His first, opened in 1889. 38 See Hebrew Standard of Australasia, 2 August 1929, p. 5. 39 The efforts of Gionni di Gravio, Archivist of the University of Newcastle Cultural Collections, in collecting the information relied upon for this paragraph is gratefully acknowledged: see ‘The Life and Legacy of Morris Light (1859 – 1929)’, http://uoncc.wordpress.com/category/places/newcastle/history- of-newcastle/newcastle-city-council-history/ 40 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 27 Jul 1929, p. 8. 41 For example, in the lighting of Shabbos licht and for Hanukkah. 42 Light died on 26 July 1929; see Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 27 July 1929, p. 8.
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The opening of the Civic Theatre by the Mayor on 12 December 1929, and that of the Town Hall by the Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, on Saturday 14 December 1929, highlights of a time of celebration known as Civic Week. Although a cloud was cast by the disastrous Northern coal mining lockout, already 10 months old, which two days later would culminate in the shooting and bashing by police of miners at Rothbury colliery, “An immense crowd” was on hand to appreciate illuminations by NESCA, which “transformed the Civic Block into a veritable fairyland”.46 These were in addition to the ‘White Way’ of high-intensity street lighting, completed in July 1928, that lit Hunter Street for its whole length to the municipal boundary.47 Thus were fulfilled Morris Light’s hopes that the City Hall
would be both use and ornament to the city, to which it will add honour and dignity, and will inspire a city pride and spirit in this and future generations.
Figure 38. Frontispiece of the ambitious Council publication marking the Civic Week celebrations in association with the opening of the Civic Centre. Note the themes of light, speed, modernity, industry, faith, public services and new beginnings at a time of crisis for the local coal mining industry and regional economy. Newcastle, 1929: Souvenir of Civic Week
43 See Brown’s letter to the editor, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 8 December 1925, p. 3. 44 John Glassop (Town Clerk), ‘A Town Hall for Newcastle: History of the Movement’, in Council of the City of Newcastle, City of Newcastle, 1929: Souvenir of Civic Week. Newcastle: Council of the City of Newcastle, 1929. 45 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 16 February 1931, p. 6. 46 Ibid., 13 December 1929, p. 11. 47 Newcastle Morning Herald, 7 July 1928, p. 5.
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Figure 39. Opening of Town Hall (now City Hall), Civic Week, 1929. The hands of the clock are not yet installed. University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
Figure 40. The City Hall, early 1960s. Christie Place and the Civic Theatre are at left. University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 53 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 3.5.1 NESCA House On 1 April 1938, the City of Greater Newcastle Act 1937 (NSW) commenced, enabling the administrative reorganisation of the district electricity supply scheme, for which Newcastle Council had previously borne sole responsibility under the Borough of Newcastle Electric Lighting Act 1892 (NSW). Council’s Electricity Supply Department (‘ESD’), which upon the completion of the Town Hall had moved from the former council chambers in Watt Street, benefited from the increasing demand for household electricity and the extension of electric street lighting to the extent that, under the capable supervision of its Electrical Engineer and Manager, Guy Allbut, a member of the State electricity supply committee, it soon outgrew its new accommodation. The various divisions had to be located in several different buildings, including the Civic Theatre Wintergarden and the old council chambers, while the appliance showroom, known as the Electric Shop, was located in a purpose-built structure in Wheeler Place,48 a narrow street created as part of the Civic scheme.49 This, of course, gave rise to considerable inconvenience, not only on the part of the ESD itself, but also on that of electricity consumers, many of whom paid their bills in person after the custom of the time. Council’s Electricity Supply Committee considered that a solution was available in the form of a new building, to be constructed on under-used industrial site at the corner of Auckland Street and King Street (formerly Lower Church Street) to the west of the Town Hall.
Not only was this site adjacent to the Town Hall, and opposite the embryonic park, later called Civic Park, that had been developed on the site of Cook’s timber yard; but it was, importantly, within a convenient distance of Council’s Tyrrell Street (formerly Sydney Street) power house and adjoining depot in Queen Street (formerly Pit Street), near the residence of Guy Allbut.50 The site, in short, would enable the erection of a building sufficient to meet the department’s commercial and administrative needs, while also being a showpiece of the modernity, reliability, potential and comparative cleanliness of electric power. These qualities were also represented by the Department’s adoption, in 1937,51 of a new title, the Newcastle Electricity Supply Council Administration, for which the acronym was NESCA. By this time, it had been decided to reorganise the multiplicity of Newcastle suburban Councils as one body, the Council of the City of Greater Newcastle. This occurred with the commencement in 1 April 1938 of the Greater Newcastle Act 1937 (NSW).
The land having been resumed, and the old wheelwright’s and blacksmith’s shed formerly occupying it having been cleared,52 Council engaged Sydney architect Emil Lawrence Sodersteen (from November 1943, altered to Sodersten), an architect risen to prominence through his association with the design processes for the Brisbane City Hall and the Australian War Memorial; yet some caution as to Sodersteen’s vision was demonstrated by the choice of Pitt and Merewether, of which the principals were Nigel Pitt and Edward Merewether, who had been responsible for much local work, as ‘architects in association’. As the late John Turner has observed,
Electricity, which is now taken for granted completely, was still relatively novel in the 1930s. It was the age of electrical wonders, particularly of the cinema, and the documents explaining the building to the public are persuaded with the theme of progress through
48 Cynthia Hunter, Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct History, p. 36; see also ‘Public Services’, in Souvenir of Civic Week. 49 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 31 July 1939, p. 6. 50 At Chasmar, 30 Swan Street. 51 See George Wilkenfeld and Peter Spearrit, Electrifying Sydney: 100 Years of EnergyAustralia. Sydney: Energy Australia, 2004, p. 9. 52 Cynthia Hunter, Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct History, p. 36.
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Sodersten was selected by Guy Allbut and the Mayor, Alderman Henry Fenton, to both of whom Council had dedicated this power,54 although the final choice of design appears to have been left to Council’s Electricity Supply Committee.55 Their choice, which has been described as “adventurous to say the least”,56 particularly in the face of political pressure for the selection of a local practice,57 was somewhat tempered by an acceptance that the building would have to complement the Town Hall,58 and by the representation of Council’s interests by the City Architect, F.A. Scorer. Nevertheless, NESCA House marked a new phase in Sodersten’s outlook, his disenchantment with the skyscraper idiom leading him to draw on English perspectives and European Functional Modernism.59 The building was, therefore, designed on contemporary English lines in keeping with the designs exemplified by expatriate Canadian Wells Wintemute Coats and London-born George Coles.
Sodersten appears to have developed two different designs for what was at first called the City Council Electricity Supply Department building. A local newspaper informed its readers that the design ultimately chosen by the Committee was preferred to another, “the turret-like top of which harmonised less effectively with the adjacent civic buildings”.60 The scheme was ultimately executed with but little change, although some corners were softened by rounding, and the ornate lamp standards at the main entrance were replaced with a more utilitarian design.
Figure 41. Emil Sodersten.
53 John Turner, ‘History of NESCA House’, in Barney Collins (EJE Architecture), ‘NESCA House Conservation Management Plan (August 1990)’, p. 4. 54 See ‘Electricity Building: Appointment of Architects: Ald. Young Asks Questions’, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 6 July 1937, p. 6. 55 ‘Plan for New City Building’, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 October 1937, p. 7. 56 John Turner, ‘History of NESCA House’, p. 4. 57 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 6 July 1937, p. 6. 58 Ibid. 59 Ian Stapleton and Maisy Stapleton, ‘C. Bruce Dellit and Emil Sodersten’, in Howard Tanner (ed.), Architects of Australia. Melbourne: Macmillan, 1981, p. 125. 60 ‘Plan for New City Building’, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 October 1937, p. 7.
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Figure 42. “An architect’s conception of the new City Council Electricity Supply Department building, which will cost about £60,000”. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 October 1937, p. 7.
Figure 43. Mr Guy Allbut. Shortland County Council
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 56 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The interior decoration and layout of the new building embodied decorative and other ideas on the part of Guy Allbut,61 who in 1924 and 1936 had toured United Kingdom, Continental, United States and Canadian electrical facilities at Council’s expense.62
Allbut, a highly conscientious but sensitive man who believed in neither self-satisfaction nor ostentation, had previously been the subject of hurtful and unjustifiable personal attacks in the course of Council business, not only in Newcastle but during his time as city electrical engineer at Tamworth. A devout member of the Plymouth Brethren, a literalist denomination, Allbut was reluctant to speak at meetings, and never joined the Institution of Engineers. As Terry Wall has written,
His absolute dedication to his position and great demands made on his employees could be interpreted as tyrannical, but he held the loyalty of his staff and his support for the Hunter Region is obvious from his recorded statements.63
Allbut delegated the selection of the original paintings and objects d’art by which the building was adorned to Miss Myrtle Marshall, the highly capable Secretary to NESCA, who in addition to assisting Guy Allbut was responsible for correspondence, records and office operations. She also attended committee meetings and minutes of officers’ conferences. Allbut gave her “complete charge of the new building with regard to cleaning and attendance”.64 Miss Marshall, with a staff of 12, was one of nine executive officers, and the only female; she would have risen further but for contemporary attitudes towards the proper role of women. As it was, Miss Marshall was paid on a scale much inferior to that of male officers of comparable responsibility.65 She nevertheless helped to guide NESCA and its successor organisation through successive expansions. By the time of her retirement in June 1964, when she turned 65, Miss Marshall superintended the entire administrative staff.
Construction of NESCA House began in 1937, the foundation stone being laid by Mrs Fenton on 21 November of that year.66 The building contractors were Messrs. Ratcliffe and Kirsopp, of Hamilton. Its design has been described as “a fine example of the Art Deco Style with a tendency towards Functional Modernism”,67 and as having a “heavy, streamlined battleship form.68 Structural drawings show the framework as being composed of concrete-encased structural steel with mild steel reinforcing rods used throughout the structure. The base course of the external walls was executed in trachyte. Wondabyne sandstone veneer was employed on all four elevations, concealing the face brick. Concrete floors and some secondary floor beams, for which Portland cement, sand and course aggregate were specified, appear to have
61 ‘Electricity Supply: New Office Building: Architects Appointed, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 2 July 1937, p. 12. 62 Ibid; see also Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, ‘Newcastle Electricity: Return of Mr. Allbut, 17 November 1924, p. 4, 27 June 1935, p. 9, 12 May 1936 p. 6. 63 Terry Wall, ‘Power for the Twentieth Century: Public Electricity Supply’, in John Armstrong (ed.), Shaping the Hunter: a Story of Engineers, and the Engineering Contribution to the Development of the Present Shape of the Hunter Region, its River, Cities, Industries and Transport Arteries. Newcastle: the Institution of Engineers, Australia, Newcastle Division, 1983, p. 139. 64 See ‘Arbitrators’ Rulings: Big Salary Increases for Electric Supply Officers’, in Newcastle Morning Herald, 28 September 1939, pp. 7-8. 65 Ibid. 66 Ibid., 22 November 1937, p. 5; NESCA House publicity booklet as published by the Council of the City of Newcastle. 67 Barney Collins, ‘NESCA House CMP’, p. 31. 68 Ian Stapleton and Maisy Stapleton, ‘C. Bruce Dellit and Emil Sodersten’, in Howard Tanner (ed.), Architects of Australia, p. 125.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 57 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle been cast in-situ.69 Hoardings installed for the construction phase were decorated with painted tableaux showing events in the history of Newcastle, so encouraging the public to view the project in the light of what was then an almost universally shared belief in ‘Progress’.
After significant delays due to the ingress of water, the presence of which bore testimony to the originally swampy nature of the surrounding area, together with wartime difficulties in obtaining the necessary steel sections, NESCA House, as the building was named, was opened on 8 September 1939 by the Hon. E.S. Spooner, former Minister for Works and Local Government, who had been instrumental in his support for Council’s electrical schemes.70 Spooner had also opened Electricity House, headquarters of the St. George County Council, at Hurstville, almost exactly two years beforehand. Designed by Neville Coulter, this was also of three storeys, with design objectives similar to those of NESCA House,71 with appliance displays, demonstration areas, payments facilities and administrative offices, although its siting, use of face brick and asymmetrical massing distinguished it from the newer building.72 An electrical substation, built in conjunction with the Civic Block, and featuring corbelled brickwork and other subdued decoration, appears not to have been modified during the construction of NESCA House.
3.5.2 Description. 73 Visitors arriving at the main King Street entrance, over which was emblazoned in bronze the crest of NESCA with its motto of light; power; service, flanked by the capitalised titles NESCA HOUSE, passed up and over the trachyte steps and landings and through three double sets of glazed metal swing doors into the Electric Centre, consisting of a carefully-lit hall for the display and sale of electrical goods and the payment of bills. This area, visible from outside the building through two large curved show windows featuring suitable displays, was floored with travertine, with walls finished in scagliola. One then approached the Demonstration Theatre protected by a large glazed screen wall, beyond which a foyer led to the Auditorium, with fixed seating situated on an electrically-driven turntable capable of rotation to address any one of three stages, equipped with suitable spot lighting and alternately featuring a demonstration kitchen; a demonstration laundry; and rooms illustrating lighting equipment and fitouts, each having service spaces behind. This area was lit by concealed tubular lighting, dimmable according to need.
Adjoining the Auditorium, public and service lifts with power doors and the main staircase, also accessible from the subsidiary Auckland Street entrance, a wide corridor, also floored in travertine and finished in scagliola, led to the upper floors. This corridor also provided access to the Commercial Section, with parquetry floor and wood-panelled walls. Adjoining was the Home Service Supervisor’s office, which in turn connected to the Demonstration Theatre, as was the Training Kitchen.
On the first floor was the Service Hall, with the public space floored in patterned rubber. The staff spaces were divided by glazed screen walls. Here also was accommodated the Accounts Division; Installation Division; and Customer Service Division, together with the interview
69 Ibid., p. 26. 70 Newcastle Morning Herald, 11 September 1939, p. 6. 71 See Hurstville Propeller, quoted in Pole Depot Neighbourhood Centre Inc, A History of Pole Depot: 25 Years of Serving the Community. Penshurst: The Centre, 2004, pp. 12-13 http://www.poledepot.org/documents/25YearHistoryofPoleDepotCommunityCentre.pdf 72 Ibid. 73 Summarised from the contemporary description contained in the NESCA House publicity booklet as published by the Council of the City of Newcastle, reproduced in Barney Collins, NESCA House CMP.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 58 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle spaces, Conference rooms and Library. The ceilings were of fibrous plaster with recessed panels for indirect cove lighting and flush direct lighting panels.
The second floor accommodated the executives, with offices for the heads of each of the administrative divisions and their associates, together with collective spaces for staff of the Correspondence Division, Distribution Division and Drafting Division.
The building was designed to permit the construction of two additional floors to meet future needs. In the meantime, the third floor featured staff change rooms, lavatories and meal rooms, these last opening onto the flat concrete slab roof space over the remaining footprint of the building. An embryonic fourth floor consisted of storage and records rooms, the tube service room and the lift motor room. It would appear that these existing structures were to be subsumed into the projected additional floors; these, however, were never built, although further staff and storage facilities were added as required until the roof space had become fairly crowded. Each floor was equipped with automatic fire alarms; vacuum tubes for the speedy dispatch of documents between each administrative division, and carefully-specified lighting. Partial provision was made for air conditioning.
The whole effect was one of ‘thirties’ modernity; and the contrast between the new building and the late Victorian offices of that competing entity, the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company, could scarcely have been greater. Guy Allbut observed that
The planning of years now finds expression in a modern building which the growth of Newcastle more than justifies, giving therewith a sense that milestones in the march of progress need not be dingy, ill-designed or hoary with moss, but may be bright, attractive, useful and distinctive.74
The Newcastle Morning Herald agreed that
Nesca House can claim to be all these. In structure and design it is superb as an architectural feature of this city.75
Figure 44. Laying of the foundation stone, 21 November 1937, with the intersection of King Street and Auckland Streets in the background. Note
74 Electricity Supply Building to be Opened Today’, 8 September 1939, p. 3. 75 Ibid.
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Figure 45. A newspaper photograph of the early stages of construction. Note substation, in original form, at bottom right. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 7 May 1938, p. 18.
Figure 46. Construction of NESCA House. Note painted scenes of the history of Newcastle on hoarding. These include (from left) the completion of the southern harbour breakwater; the construction of the Great Northern Railway; the first meeting of Council; the first European settlement; and a commemorative coal arch. Shortland County Council
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Figure 47. Construction of NESCA House. Note steel structural elements. Shortland County Council
Figure 48. Opening of NESCA House by E.S. Spooner MLA. Newcastle Morning Herald, 9 September 1939, p. 9.
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Figure 49. NESCA House shortly after its opening, probably on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday afternoon. Note Christie Place, Civic Park, the City Hall, and the fly tower of the Civic Theatre. The Oddfellow’s Hall is to the left, behind NESCA House, from which it is separated by vacant land. The coal-loading cranes and attending railway wagons at The Dyke may be seen in the distance. The lot directly behind NESCA House was later purchased by NESCA for additions to the building. This photograph was issued as a post-card, showing the pride felt in the Civic centre. Newcastle Region Library
Figure 50. A view of NESCA House from the intersection of Auckland Street and King Street. Note differentiated pavement finishes, a feature no longer evident. Eric Lingard (ed.), Newcastle: 150 Years: 1797 - 1947.
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Figure 51. NESCA House, showing bronze titles and crest above entrance. The reason for the display of the United States flag is unclear. Note whitegoods window display. State Library of NSW
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Figure 52. NESCA House by night. Note bronze titles and crest above entry, and whitegoods window display. State Library of NSW
3.6 Wartime Developments As might be imagined, the declaration of war with Germany that followed hard upon the opening had its difficulties for NESCA. These were of course greatly increased by the entry of Japan into the conflict, and included the need to undertake defensive precautions. In the case of NESCA House, these included the bricking-in of the ground floor windows to form a blast wall, the taping of other external windows, and plans for the construction of an air raid shelter for NESCA House.76 It would appear that, at the suggestion of Guy Allbut, bricks, cement, sandbags and timber were purchased with a view to converting the existing slab-roofed store room at the rear of the building77 into an air raid shelter within seven days of a decision to undertake the work.78 It is almost certain that the project was never undertaken, for Allbut was loathe to waste time and treasure on it unless and until it was felt to be warranted.79 The ground floor blast wall was removed in September 1944.80
76 John Turner, ‘History of NESCA House’, p. 13. 77 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 22 October 1940, p. 4. 78 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 19 November 1940, p. 4. 79 Ibid. 80 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 23 September 1944, p. 3.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 64 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle NESCA House was separated from the City Hall by a small park, initially described as “a small tree-planted area”,81 which was soon formally laid out with paths and garden beds. This enabled an appreciation of the western facade of the City Hall, and became a popular luncheon rendezvous for some Council administrative staff. The plantings on the northern side of the path may have been calculated to screen from view the electrical substation just north of the reserve, together with an adjoining car park. The reserve, together with the narrow street by which it was separated from the City Hall, on 13 August 1941 was officially named in commemoration of the quarter century of aldermanic service of Richard Hedger Christie, who at the time of completion of the Civic Block had been Deputy Mayor.82 Christie Place, as the park became known, was equipped with trellis alcoves and bench seats addressing NESCA House.
Figure 53. NESCA House in wartime, showing bricked-in ground floor windows and blast baffles at King Street entrance. Note Art Deco lamp standards flanking the entrance, and above it the prominent bronze titles and NESCA crest. The street lamp, pre-dating NESCA House, is one provided in association with the completion of the Town Hall (now City Hall). Shortland County Council
81 NESCA House publicity booklet as published by the Council of the City of Newcastle. 82 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 14 August 1941, p. 4.
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Figure 54. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 22 October 1940, p. 4.
Figure 55. NESCA House, with Christie Place and the City Hall in the background, mid- 1950s. Note curved windows with whitegoods on show, well-kept lawns, and the Union, National and other Commonwealth of Nations flags. Leo Butler, Symphony on a City.
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3.7 Post-War Developments
Guy Allbut retired in May 1950.83 By this time, the success of NESCA House had been demonstrated by its use for housing, town planning, architectural, artistic and photographic exhibitions, and by guided tours of the building by visitors associated with local government around the State. The popularity of the electrical goods display and sales floor; the demonstration studio, with its rotating kitchen area; and the cooking classroom in which both weekday and school holiday classes were held, all provided evidence of Allbut’s pervasive influence in transforming an organisation which, upon his appointment in 1911, was “bankrupt financially, technically and administratively” into so efficient a condition that some wished to rename NESCA House in his honour.84 It would appear that the prominent metallic vertical window shades that now characterise the western elevation of the building were fitted during the 1950s. For decades, thousands of people were drawn to NESCA House, to the extent that cooking demonstrations and competitions were televised. This, together with the construction nearby of the Northumberland County Council’s office building, Northumberland House, and of the War Memorial Cultural Centre to the south, further activated the precinct.
In September 1957, in accordance with long-standing State government policy,85 a new entity, the Shortland County Council (‘SCC’) assumed control of power supplies for the Hunter Region, two years later becoming responsible for the entire Hunter Region. This created an immediate need for further office space, one impossible to satisfy within the existing parameters of an already crowded NESCA House, which SCC now took over. In 1959, therefore, a three-storey addition, also designed by Sodersten, was constructed at the rear of the building, partly on the site once occupied by the long-demolished Auckland Street Salvation Army barracks, and partly on that occupied by the store room earlier discussed. The originator of the purchase of the citadel site in the late 1940s appears to have been Guy Allbut.86 The additions were faced with sandstone from the same Wondabyne quarry from which the NESCA House stone had been cut, the transitions between old and new being marked by the same rounded corners that distinguished the original building. Much of the ground floor was made up of a garage, with basement beneath. The SCC, an efficient and outward-looking organisation that continued to identify with what it called ‘NESCA Service’, sought to publicise the benefits of electricity to the extent of cooking classes, televised cooking advisory programmes and competitions, and the door-to-door servicing of whitegoods.87
At some stage, access to the building from the east was provided in the form of the enlargement of two existing windows into doorways addressing Christie Place, probably for the convenience of Council employees walking along a straight footpath to and from the City Hall. This path remained until its usefulness passed with the eventual relocation of activity away from both the City Hall and NESCA House. Although care was taken to specify rounded stone reveals, which have gradually discoloured, the door frames, leafs and top light fixed windows were executed in aluminium. Modifications to the nearby electrical substation, involving the sealing of windows, depletion of decoration and the introduction of exterior finishes
83 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 5 May 1950, p. 2. 84 Ibid., 3 May 1950, p. 2. This proposal will not have met with the approbation of the self-effacing Allbut. 85 See George Wilkenfeld and Peter Spearitt, Electrifying Sydney: 100 Years of Energy Australia. Sydney: Energy Australia, 2004, pp. 78-82. 86 Ibid., 25 August 1948, p. 2. 87 Peter Armstrong, From Council to Corporation: The History of Newcastle’s Electricity Supply. Newcastle: The Author, 2002, p. 45.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 67 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle complementary to the adjacent buildings, were also undertaken, although the date of these works has not yet been established. The screening formerly provided by the Canary Island palms had been reduced by their steady upward growth, which was compensated for by the establishment of new screening plantings on the northern side of the reserve.
Figure 56. NESCA House, c. 1950s, with Christie Place to its right, and the City Hall to its left; Civic Park is in the foreground. Note Canary Island palm and flower beds in Christie Place. Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 57. Christie Place, c. 1950s. Note electrical substation in more or less original condition, centre background, and vegetated trellises, left. These trellises stood for decades until their replacement by the current treated pine structures. The growth of the Canary Island palms, the foliage of which formerly screened the substation and adjoining car park, is apparent. Additional plantings were later introduced by way of compensation. The chimneys of the Federal Hotel are in the background. Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 58. NESCA House, early 1960s. Northumberland House, headquarters of the Northumberland County Council, is at left. Note lattice park bench shelters in Wheeler Place. University of Newcastle Cultural Collections
Figure 59. SCC logo, retaining NESCA crest, NESCA name, and date of commencement of Council’s Electricity Supply Department. The crest itself neatly symbolises the ambitions of the SCC, and its relationship with the Hunter Region’s industry, port, agriculture and domestic life. Peter Armstrong, From Council to Corporation
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 70 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The ideal of electricity as an embodiment of the national spirit was also emphasised in the display of National, Union and other Commonwealth of Nations flags on the King Street elevation of NESCA House. It was in this spirit, too, that, in 1967, in celebration of its first decade, the SCC erected atop the King Street facade a steel tower supporting a globe, surrounded by an moving orbital belt bearing the lettering ‘THE SHORTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL’. This tribute, illuminated by night, and intended attracted perhaps too much interest, for it was asserted in some quarters that so spectacular a feature was a dangerous distraction to motorists. Whether it in fact it was so is open to dispute; but the globe, so well-remembered by some Novocastrians, was at last removed.
Figure 60. Installation of globe, 1968. Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 61. NESCA House by night. The 1970 additions are not yet in evidence. Shortland County Council
Figure 62. View of NESCA House from the City Hall clock tower, 1972. The Shortland Memorial fountain, now so attractive a feature of the park, is not yet installed. The transition to the 1959 additions is marked by the slight difference in sandstone colours. Note path (now deleted) connecting the City Hall and NESCA House. The substation, at extreme right, presents a much plainer appearance than formerly. Note additional screening plantings to compensate for the growth of the Canary Island palms. K.G. Edwards, Newcastle Region Library
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In 1969 the theatrette was remodelled, as was the demonstration centre. A year later an additional two floors, designed by architects Rodd and Hay, who had also collaborated in the design of nearby Northumberland House, were added to the 1959 wing, and the original County Council chamber was surrendered to the growing need for space.88 The electrical showroom was later transferred to the former Nock & Kirby’s outlet in Hunter Street, which like other nearby buildings had been purchased in anticipation of the further expansion of NESCA House. This, in fact, did not occur, for a decision was ultimately taken to relocate all administrative and maintenance activities to a site at Wallsend.
In 1978, the Shortland Memorial fountain, commemorating the centennial in 1897 of the official discovery of Newcastle by Lieutenant John Shortland R.N., designed by the City Engineer, John Sharp, and executed by local stonemason R.F. Gates, was moved to the centre of Christie Place, so marking the convergence of the symmetrical footpaths extending from the four corners of the park.
In 1979, the curved windows on the King Street elevation, so notable a feature of Sodersten’s design, were removed from the front of the building. The sandstone facing was also cleaned, then re-caulked in silicone.89 It is this treatment that over the years deleteriously affected the integrity of the stonework. In November 1986, SCC adopted a new trading name, Shortland Electricity, although the market penetration of the ‘NESCA’ brand was such that many customers continued to identify with it. Although in 1983 the SCC had completed a prominent new control centre, complete with a colourized Shortland Country Council crest, on the site of the former Egg Marketing Board building in Darby Street,90 the decision to relocate administrative activities to Wallsend was adhered to, NESCA house being vacated in 1987. In 1989, the newly-established radio station, NEW (‘Newcastle’) FM occupied part of the building, while other sections were later leased by Suters Architects Snell.
In 1990, it was announded that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, a Commonwealth entity, would be relocated from Canberra to Newcastle, specifically to NESCA House, which would be refurbished for that purpose. This course of action, which raised local hopes in a city devastated by the 1989 Earthquake, was later abandoned in highly controversial circumstances. The presence of asbestos in NESCA House provided a useful foil to allegations that the abandonment of the plan was mainly due to the objections of staff faced anxious at the prospect of their relocation from Canberra.91
In 1993, Suters Architects Snell vacated the building. In 1995, it was purchased by the University of Newcastle, and was eventually to house elements of the Faculties of Music and Drama. Renamed ‘University House’, it now accommodates the Graduate School of Business and the Newcastle Legal Centre. The building remains a prominent expression of pre-War optimism, symbolising a desire to embrace new technology and teach the people of Newcastle
88 John Turner, ‘History of NESCA House’, p. 14 89 Ibid. 90 Eric Lingard (ed)., Vision, Newcastle: Grounds for Growth: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Newcastle Business Men’s Club. Newcastle: Newcastle Business Men’s Club, 1983, pp. 64-65. 91 Parliament of Australia, Hansard, Minutes of Estimates Committee – 15/05/1990 – Department of Transport and Communications – Program 5 –Maritime – Subprogram 5.3 – Maritime Safety http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:committees%2Festimate%2Feco md900515a_ece.out%2F0050
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 73 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle how to use it. Its prominence is illustrated by its use in the making in 2005 of the Hollywood film Superman Returns.92
It is now intended that alterations to University (NESCA) House will be made in association with the NeW Space project. This will guarantee the future of a heritage building that requires significant investment if it is to be conserved.
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92 Newcastle Herald, 12 January 2008.
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3.8 Historical Themes for the Subject Land
These are applied from Heritage Council of NSW, New South Wales Historical Themes, and from the Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan 1997.
National State Local Peopling Australia Aboriginal cultures and Natural Environment interactions with other Environmental Modification and cultures Disturbance Aboriginal Occupation/Contact Peopling Australia Convict Natural Environment Environmental Modification and Disturbance Aboriginal Occupation/Contact Developing Australia Commerce Urbanisation and the Nineteenth Century city Developing local, regional Industry Industry and manufacturing and national economies Building settlements, towns Towns, suburbs and Urbanisation and the Nineteenth and cities villages Century city Governing Government and Australian Agricultural Company administration Developing Australia’s Social institutions Cultural life cultural life Marking the phases of life Persons Cultural life
The following captioned images are presented by way of further information concerning the history of the NeW Space site and immediate locality.
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Figure 63. A pre-1950 aerial photograph (note tram in Hunter Street) showing what was then known as the Civic Block. The NeW Space site is bordered in red, with NESCA House beyond. Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 64. The Town Hall (later City Hall) [1] and NESCA House [7], not yet extended, flank Christie Place [5]. Behind NESCA House stands the Oddfellows’ Hall [12]; commercial premises [11] later demolished for the Auckland Street wing of the Federal Hotel [8]; Angus House [10]; and commercial premises [9]. Closer to the Civic Theatre [2] are the Australian Provincial Assurance Association building [3] and the former stores of Engineers and Colliery Supplies Ltd [4], later used by NESCA. The easement between the Federal Hotel [8] and the commercial premises [9], allowing access to the stores, was later the site of the Nock & Kirby’s hardware outlet, one wing of which took the place of the stores. The Nock & Kirby’s site was eventually purchased by the Shortland County Council (later known as Shortland Electricity), successor to NESCA. Mackie’s warehouse [13] overshadows the later site of Northumberland County Council’s Northumberland House [14]. All buildings within the Civic Block were afterwards progressively purchased by Council with a view to its development as a centre for all municipal administrative and associated activities.
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Figure 65. An aerial view, taken shortly after the completion in 1957 of the War Memorial Cultural Centre (top centre), shows the Civic Theatre and the City Hall, with NESCA House at right, partly overshadowing Christie Place. The former stores of Engineers and Colliery Supplies Ltd have recently been demolished. The void between NESCA House and the Oddfellow’s Hall was later occupied by additions to NESCA House. The temporary buildings of the Conservatorium (left centre) are surrounded by parked cars. This area was later incorporated into an enlarged Civic Park (centre right).
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Figure 66. A newspaper photograph of the newly-opened Australian Provincial Assurance Association building, with two ground floor shops and six offices on the first floor. This was constructed on the site previously occupied by Engineers’ and Colliery Supplies Ltd (formerly Fuller, Moar and Rodgers) and four adjoining shops. The facade, featuring predominant cream Wunderlich tiling relieved by green striping, was a notable feature of this Art Deco building, which contained some Scagolia interior decoration. The large structure in the background is the fly tower of the nearby Civic Theatre. The carefully- placed and rather ornate pole supports the tramway catenary wire for the double-track tramway, the rails of which are visible in the foreground. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 13 November 1937, p. 7.
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Figure 67. Federal Hotel, Hunter Street, 1959. The Nock & Kirby’s hardware store, with driveway to roof car park, is at left; Goold’s furnishings store is at right. Newcastle Region Library
Figure 68. A 1972 view of the Hunter Street frontage of the NeW Space site. The Australian Provincial Assurance building, later owned by the Council of the City of Newcastle, houses the Civic Arcade as well as shop fronts and offices. The prominent sign of Nock & Kirby’s hardware store directs attention to the clock tower of the City Hall and to the fly tower of the Civic Theatre. The Federal Hotel has been stripped of much facade detail, and an intrusive awning has been added. The brick facade of Angus House (Simpson’s drapery store, formerly Goold’s furnishings store) has been painted. K.G. Edwards, Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 69. A 1972 view of the intersection of Hunter Street and Auckland Street. At left is Angus House, behind which stands the Auckland Street wing of the Federal Hotel; the Oddfellow’s Hall (minus parapet), occupied by Goold’s furnishings store; and NESCA House, with its 1959 additions, to which the two additional floors were added in 1970. Mackie’s Warehouse and the Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) are at right. In the distance is the spire of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. K.G. Edwards, Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 70. A 1972 photograph taken from the footpath outside Northumberland House at the corner of King Street and Auckland Street, showing, from right, NESCA House and 1959 and 1970 rear additions; the Oddfellow’s Hall (occupied by Goold’s Pty Ltd, complete with ‘G’ neon), with stripped facade; Auckland Street wing of the Federal Hotel; Angus House (later Dandrew House). K.G. Edwards, Newcastle Region Library
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Figure 71. A 1972 photograph of Christie Street, looking towards Christie Place and NESCA House, from which the Union and National flags were invariably flown during this era. Note revolving globe, illuminated by night, advertising the Shortland County Council. The globe and tower were later removed, due to their supposed distraction of motorists. The exit from the rooftop car park of the Nock & Kirby’s hardware store, and the rear pedestrian entrances to both Nock & Kirby’s and the Civic Arcade, are visible at right, as is the southern wall of the Civic Theatre. K.G. Edwards, Newcastle Region Library
Figure 72. The Civic Arcade (former Australian Provincial Assurance building) in its final days. Note also the boarded-up Shortland Electricity building (former Nock & Kirby’s store), fire-damaged boarded-up Civic Hotel (formerly Hunter on Hunter Hotel and Federal Hotel) and Dandrew House (formerly Angus House). The Hunter Street facade of the Civic Theatre is just visible at left. Google Earth
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Figure 73. View from intersection of Hunter Street and Auckland Street. The first floor of the Civic Hotel (former Hunter on Hunter Hotel and Federal Hotel), at left centre, was damaged by fire in 1994, and heavily damaged in July 2009. This, together with the other subject buildings, was sold to the University of Newcastle in 2012. Newcastle City Council
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4. PHYSICAL CONDITION AND CONTEXT
4.1 THE SITE The site, situated in the Newcastle Central Business District, includes an area of approximately 3,919m² at the corner of Hunter Street and Auckland Street, within which the buildings that formerly stood on the site have been cleared to ground slab level. The site also includes University (NESCA) House, a former municipal office building now used for purposes of tertiary education.
4.2 CURRENT USE The area at the corner of Hunter Street and Auckland Street is currently unoccupied. University (NESCA) House accommodates some of the learning, teaching, research and information technology activities of the University of Newcastle, including the Graduate School of Business, Watt Space Gallery and Legal Centre.
4.3 CONDITION The area at the corner of Hunter Street and Auckland Street was cleared to ground slab level in mid-2013. This area has been securely fenced, and all known hazardous materials have been removed. Much of the significant fabric of University (NESCA) House requires repair and maintenance, and some of its original fabric has been depleted. Much of the facade sandstone is fretting, the result of its having been sealed with silicone in the 1970s.
4.4 SURROUNDING CONTEXT The subject land is bounded by Hunter Street to the north; the Civic Theatre to the east; Auckland Street to the west; and Christie Place and University House to the south.
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Figure 74. NeW Space site, looking east across Auckland Street. The eastern elevation of University (NESCA) House is at right. EJE
Figure 75. Looking east from intersection of Auckland Street and Hunter Street. University (NESCA) House is at right. EJE
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Figure 76. View from north-west, showing rear of Civic Theatre, City Hall, Christie Place palm trees, and substation on northern side of Christie Place. EJE
Figure 77. Another view from the north-west, showing northern elevation of University (NESCA) House. Note the outline of the now-demolished Oddfellows’ Hall. EJE
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Figure 78. Looking east; the Civic Theatre fly tower is in the background, at right is Univeristy (NESCA) House. EJE
Figure 79. Looking north-east across site towards Hunter Street; the saw-toothed buildings houses the Newcastle Museum; beyond this lies Honeysuckle. EJE
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Figure 80. Looking north-west, showing buildings on northern side of Hunter Street. EJE
Figure 81. Looking west, showing buildings on western side of Auckland Street. University (NESCA) House and Christie Place substations are at left. EJE
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Figure 82. Another view from the south-east, showing buildings on northern side of Hunter Street. The Civic Theatre is at right. EJE
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5. HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The NSW heritage assessment criteria encompass four generic values in the Australian ICOMOS Burra Charter 2013: historical significance; aesthetic significance; scientific significance; and social significance.
These criteria will be used in assessing heritage significance of the place.
The basis of assessment used in this report is the methodology and terminology of the Burra Charter 2013; James Semple Kerr, The Conservation Plan: A Guide to the Preparation of Conservation Plans for Places of European Cultural Significance;93 and the criteria promulgated by the Heritage Branch (now Division) of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. The Burra Charter 2013, Article 26, 26.1, states that:
Work on a place should be preceded by studies to understand the place which should include analysis of physical, documentary, oral and other evidence, drawing on appropriate knowledge, skills and disciplines.
Places and items of significance are those which permit an understanding of the past and enrich the present, allowing heritage values to be interpreted and re-interpreted by current and future generations.
The significance of the place is determined by the analysis and assessment of the documentary, oral and physical evidence presented in the previous sections of this document. An understanding of significance allows decisions to be made about the future management of the place. It is important that such decisions do not endanger its cultural significance.
The NSW Heritage Manual, prepared by the former NSW Heritage Branch and Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and endorsed by the current Heritage Division of the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage, outlines the four broad criteria and processes for assessing the nature of heritage significance, along with two added criteria for assessing comparative significance of an item.
Heritage Significance Criteria The NSW assessment criteria listed below encompass the following four values of significance:
q Historical significance q Aesthetic significance q Research/technical significance q Social significance
93 (7th ed). Burwood: Australia ICOMOS, 2013.
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Listed below are the relevant Heritage Assessment Criteria identified in the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW):
Criterion (a) An item is important in the course, or pattern, of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
Criterion (b) An item has strong or special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
Criterion (c) An item is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW (or the local area).
Criterion (d) An item has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW (or the local area) for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
Criterion (e) An item has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
Criterion (f) An item possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
Criterion (g) An item is important in demonstrating the principle characteristics of a class of NSW’s cultural or natural places; or cultural or natural environments (or a class of the local area’s cultural places; or cultural or natural environments).
An Assessment of Significance requires that a level of significance be determined for the place. The detailed analysis uses the levels of significance below:
LOCAL Of significance to the local government area.
STATE Of significance to the people of NSW.
NATIONAL Exhibiting a high degree of significance, interpretability to the people of Australia.
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5.1 ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANCE The relationship of the subject land with the adjoining State-significant heritage items, namely the State Heritage-listed Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct and University (NESCA) House, remains close. Of these, only University (NESCA) House will be physically involved in the proposed works.
Historical Significance Criterion (a) An item is important in the course, or pattern, of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
The subject land, having been cleared to ground slab level, no longer provides evidence of its associations with the gradual development of the site, first for low-density residential and retail purposes, then for commercial and fraternal purposes. That said, it is in close proximity to heritage items included in the State Heritage Register: these include, firstly, the Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct including Christie Place; secondly, the State Heritage-listed University (NESCA) House. The City Hall and Civic Theatre, known as the Civic Block, are the fruit of the vision and fortitude of Morris Light, Mayor of Newcastle, in persuading the Aldermen and people of Newcastle to pursue his vision of the development of a Civic Centre in what was then a less than desirable location, generally associated with industry, warehousing and low- scale commercial development.
University (NESCA) House The location, size and form of all of these buildings have in some way been influenced by those of the structures and processes with which the subject land was historically associated, and by which it was affected.
University (NESCA) House, the only State Heritage-listed item physically involved in the development, is significant as
· providing State-significant physical evidence as to the widening scope of local government activities before and after the Second World War, and of the evolution of a municipal electricity supply entity into a regional one ultimately subsumed by the State government; · providing evidence of the evolution of Newcastle from a gas-lit ‘coally seaport’ into an industrial city dependent on a reliable supply of electricity provided by an efficient local government instrumentality; · providing evidence of 1930s modernity and the internationally-shared theme of ‘progress through electrification’; · providing evidence of the pivotal role of the Council of the City of Newcastle, and later of the Shortland County Council, in the establishment and extension of the regional electricity grid, particularly before the establishment of the Electricity Commission of NSW; and · providing evidence as to the structure of NSW public sector electricity supply entities.
Criterion (b) An item has strong or special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 93 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The NeW Space site has been so altered as to no longer provide sufficient evidence of its past associations with the lives or works of such persons. Nevertheless, the relationship between the subject land and the adjacent items of built heritage provides substantial dialectic evidence of these associations. By way of example, the continuing role of Newcastle City Council as registered proprietor of the Civic Theatre and City Hall is emblematic of its gradual acquisition of the privately-owned lots and buildings of which the site was composed. Some of the now- demolished buildings, specifically the Civic Arcade and Dandrew House (originally Goold’s furnishing emporium, known as Angus House, first leased and purchased in 1950 by Goold’s Pty Ltd)94, were at some time used by Council community engagement and office space, while the former Nock & Kirby’s hardware building was used as a showroom by the Shortland County Council, later known as Shortland Electricity, successor to Council’s former electricity supply undertaking, known as NESCA. The Oddfellows’ Hall, erected in 1907,95 was for years occupied by Goold’s, which later vacated Angus House in favour of Simpson’s drapery, and was then made available to Performing Arts Newcastle (PAN). The Federal Hotel, later called the Hunter on Hunter Hotel and later still the Civic Hotel, was extended to Auckland Street in the 1960s, and while owned by Council was leased to various licensees, who provided beverages, dining facilities and accommodation to members of the public.
This to some extent preserves former associations with persons and groups. These include:
· Wilfred Goold, Governing Director of Goold’s Pty Ltd, sometime Alderman, and President of the Newcastle and Hunter District Historical Society, on whose personal collection the Local Studies section of Newcastle Region Public Library was later based; · local architect Peter Bennett, who designed the narrow but imposing Federal Hotel, built in 1900,96 but later stripped of its distinctive feature and now demolished; · prominent architects F.G. and A.C. Castleden, who supervised the renovation of the Federal Hotel on behalf of Toohey’s Ltd;97 · David W. King, architect of the Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd (‘APA’, now Asteron Life Ltd) building, completed in 1937,98 as well as of the Association’s contemporaneous head office building in Martin Place, Sydney; and · the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, a fraternal friendly society.
University (NESCA) House has strong or special associations with several persons and groups, including:
· Emil Sodersten, an outstanding Australian architect, in whose designs the building marks a new era; · Nigel Pitt and Edward Merewether, prominent local architects; · Guy Allbut, moving spirit of NESCA; and · Alderman Henry Fenton and Mrs Fenton, Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Newcastle.
94 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 12 January 1950, p. 3. 95 Maitland Daily Mercury, 29 July 1907, p. 5. 96 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 17 January 1902, p. 7. 97 Ibid., 1 December 1934, p. 18. 98 Ibid., 13 November 1937, p. 7.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 94 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Aesthetic And Technical Significance Criterion (c) An item is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW (or the local area).
While the Federal Hotel, designed by local architect Peter Bennett, together with the Oddfellows’ Hall, once possessed such aesthetic characteristics. The Australian Provincial Assurance building, designed by David W. King, was an authentic Art Deco building that demonstrated a high standard of internal and external design and materials, including Wunderlich tiling and some internal Scagolia finishes. The demolition of these buildings to slab level in mid-2013, has, however, removed any evidence of these apart from the outline of the Oddfellows’ Hall in the northern wall of University (NESCA) House.
University (NESCA) House is of State significance as an outstanding early example of a building in the Art Deco style with a tendency towards Functional Modernism, expressing a philosophical movement away from traditional concepts towards modern ideals of efficiency, timeliness and functionality in the context of high-quality workmanship and design. Additions and alterations have not detracted from the legibility of the building as a landmark example of its type and architectural style. The building remains significant for its internal fittings and fixtures. Individual treatments have in most cases been conserved; and there remains sufficient original fabric to permit the interpretation and appreciation of the inherent quiet grandeur of the building. Surviving fabric, both internal and external, includes:
· trachyte (stone) base course and steps and landings at the main entrance; · sandstone facing to public elevations; · bronze metal window framing; · travertine flooring; · rubber flooring; · terrazzo skirting and sills; · scagliola plaster; · scagliola tiling; · fibrous plaster; · timber veneers; · timber partitions; · sandstone facing to public elevations; · bronze metal window framing; · ceramic tiles and bathroom fittings; and · electrical fittings.
Social Significance Criterion (d) An item has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW (or the local area) for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
The buildings, sold by Council to the University of Newcastle in 2012, and demolished in mid- 2013, may once have possessed strong or special associations with customers, employees and members of the various owners, occupants, customers and participants of the well-known businesses and organisations that occupied them. Many of these entities, such as Nock & Kirby’s hardware, the Australian Provincial Assurance Association, the Shortland County
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 95 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Council, Goold’s, the Federal Hotel and the Oddfellows were household names in Newcastle; it is, however, unlikely that these will have survived the passage of the years, changes of entity names, and especially the demolition of the buildings.
University (NESCA) House has special associations with:
· the Council of the City of Newcastle, through its Electricity Supply Department (ESD), later known as the Newcastle Electricity Supply Council Administration; · former customers, and particularly purchasers of NESCA-supplied electrical goods, viewers of cooking demonstrations, and participants in cooking classes and competitions; · from 1957, the Shortland County Council (from 1993, known as Shortland Electricity, trading as Orion Energy); · Suters Architects Snell, a leading regional architectural practice; · Newcastle FM Radio (NEW FM), a pioneer of local frequency modulation broadcasting; and · the University of Newcastle, and its Conservatorium and Law faculties in particular.
Research Significance Criterion (e) An item has the potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
The subject land does not constitute a landmark or reference site, and is unlikely to provide evidence of past human cultures unavailable elsewhere. The archaeological potential of the subject land is assessed in Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’.
University (NESCA) House, by virtue of its location, design and boundary alignment, constitutes a landmark within the Civic public domain, which includes Civic Park, Administration Centre, City Hall and Civic Theatre. The building itself contributes greatly to the landscape significance of this public precinct through the excellence of its architecture and quality of workmanship, a legacy of its origins as a public building. It has the potential to yield information concerning early Art Deco architecture in Australia, together with its application in the designs and philosophy of Emil Sodersten, in this case in conjunction with local architects Nigel Pitt and Edward Merewether. The building illustrates the reshaping of comparatively laissez-faire local government entity in the light of the Harvard Business School managerialist exaltation of the organisation above the individual, as influenced by the international clash of industrial economies during and after the World Wars. It might also provide further lines of enquiry as touching the adoption and application in contemporary buildings of modern materials and finishes.
Rarity Significance Criterion (f) An item possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of NSW’s cultural or natural history (or the cultural or natural history of the local area).
The demolition of the buildings formerly located on the subject land has removed the potential for any such significance, the site now being vacant. Until that time, the Oddfellows’ Hall,
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 96 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Angus House, the Shortland County Council building, the Australian Provincial Assurance Association building and the former Federal Hotel all demonstrated some evidence of defunct customs and ways of life now defunct.
University (NESCA) House is a rare example of the association of an Art Deco building associated with the administration of an expanding regional electricity supply scheme. The only comparable building is Electricity House, Functionalist-style headquarters of the former St. George County Council, 213 Forest Road, Hurstville NSW (1937, Neville Coulter, Architect), although its brick construction, siting and asymmetrical massing distinguish it from NESCA House. Other New South Wales municipal electricity supply undertakings generally possessed office buildings in conservative styles. One example of was that of the Sydney City Council undertaking in Kent Street, Sydney, although even this large organisation was did centralise all of its administrative and retail activities, retaining showrooms at the Queen Victoria Building and Crows Nest.99
Representative Significance Criterion (g) An item is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of NSW’s cultural or natural places; or cultural or natural environments (or a class of the local area’s cultural places; or cultural or natural environments).
Some of the buildings formerly extant on the NeW Space site had the potential to exemplify activities, customs and processes associated with the development of Newcastle, particularly during the first four decades of the twentieth century. This concerned the evolution of type and style of buildings from the initial weatherboard single-storey dwellings to two-storey mixed commercial and residential buildings, generally of brick, to the commercial and fraternal structures that gradually supplanted them between 1900 and the 1930s. This potential has been negated by the demolition in 2012 of the structures that at that time occupied the subject land.
University (NESCA) House is a fine example of its type, providing physical evidence as to the managerialist organisational philosophies in vogue at the time of its construction. The building demonstrates the way in which a contemporary publicly-owned but nevertheless monopolist controlling entity had determined to interact with members of the public, exerting control over their purchasing habits and domestic behaviours. Together with the City Hall, the external materials of which are reflected, the building collectively illustrates civic pride in the instrumentalities of local government. University (NESCA) House is outstanding in its setting and physical condition, despite the additions at rear, the various uses to which it has been put since it ceased to be used for its original purpose. It is highly esteemed at both local and State levels, not only as having been designed by a leading architect in conjunction with a local firm, but as an exemplar of early Art Deco design with a tendency towards Functional Modernism.
5.2 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Site
A number of the buildings that in 2012 remained extant on the subject land possessed various degrees of historical and social significance. Their aesthetic and technical significance had,
99 See George Wilkenfeld and Peter Spearritt, Electrifying Sydney, pp. 74-79.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 97 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle however, been lost in the process of the stripping in the 1960s of much of their original fabric, particularly their facades. The demolition of the structures has so altered the place to the extent that it is no longer provides evidence of its former associations. Its residual significance rests on its relationship with such adjoining heritage items as remain extant. These include the State Heritage Register-listed City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct, incorporating Christie Place, and University (NESCA) House.
University (NESCA) House
University (NESCA) House, an outstanding Art Deco building with a tendency towards Functional Modernism, is of State significance. Designed by Emil Sodersten, a notable Australian architect, it illustrates the transition of Newcastle from a gas-lit ‘coally sea port’ into an electrically-lit city in which electricity was efficiently made available to households and to industry. The transformation from a Victorian city, surrounded by pit-head townships linked by steam trams, into a suburban complex unified by electric trams and street lighting, was entirely dependent on the municipal electricity supply administered from NESCA House. Encapsulating the ‘wonders of electricity’ so symbolic of the inter-War period, its style and fitment are intimately linked to the self-image of the organisation it housed, and to its efforts to manufacture public perceptions of electric power as the bright way of the future. The internal layout reflects the managerialist organisational philosophy of its period, as well as the desire both to attract and control public interaction and interest.
5.3 CONCISE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FOR UNIVERSITY (NESCA) HOUSE The Art-Deco-Inter War Functionalist style of architecture embodied dynamic progress and a faith in the potential of modern technology. The style preferred vertical and/or horizontal motion, laying less emphasis on an open and glossy appearance than did the European International style. Predominantly a commercial style, settings were principally urban or high- density suburban. Importance was laid on three-dimensional quality in both mass and detail. Vertical and horizontal fins, stream-lined effects, geometric curves, and stylised decoration are typical features. Favoured materials included faience; polished granite; Vitrolite-featured face brick sandstone; and chromium plated steel shopfronts. Steel and reinforced concrete was employed achieving wide spans. Extensive use of metal framed windows was typical.
Important practitioners of the Inter War Functionalist and Art Deco styles of architecture in Australia, were Emil Sodersten; Marcus R. Barlow; Edward F. Bilson; Marshall Clifton; Leighton Irwin; Lipson and Kaad; Harry Norris; W. Watson Sharp; Stephenson and Turner; C. Bruce Dellit; Fowell and McConnell; Hennessy and Hennessy; and J.H. Wardrop.
NESCA House constitutes an outstanding example of a building in the Art Deco style with tendency towards Functional Modernism. Emil Sodersten was associated with the Australian War Memorial (1928) and Brisbane City Hall (1930); Birtley Towers, Elizabeth Bay (1934); City Mutual Life Assurance (now Capita) Building, Sydney (1936); and Segenhoe Apartments, Newcastle (1936).
Australian buildings comparable in style and quality to University (NESCA) House include:
• Australian Glass Manufacturers (c.1940), Moore Park: A.G.M. Designers; • General Hospital (c. 1935-1939, completed 1951), Townsville: Donoghue and Fulton;
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 98 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle • King George V Memorial Hospital for Mothers and Babies (1941), Camperdown: Stephenson and Turner; • Mitchell House (1936), Melbourne: Harry A. Norris; • Port Adelaide Council Chambers (1939), Port Adelaide: Christopher Smith; • Cygnet Cinema (c.1930), Como, South Perth: William Leighton; • Former Australian Institute of Anatomy (1930), Canberra: W. Hayward Morris and Robert Casboutte; • ANZAC War Memorial (1934), Sydney: C. Bruce Dellit; • First Church of Christ, Scientist (1939), Perth: Ochiltree and Hargrave; • Theatre Royal, Newcastle (1924, rebuilt 1939): Charles Bohringer; and • Former Patent Office (1941), Canberra: Edwin Henderson and Cuthbert Whitley.
Electricity House, Hurstville (1937: Neville Coulter) possesses certain similarities, but is distinguished from University (NESCA) House by its siting, massing and use of materials.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 99 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
6. PROPOSED WORKS
6.1 The NeW Space Building The NeW Space building will include a ten-storey building with over 10,000m² of floor space. It will be physically connected to the existing University (NESCA) House, which will be partly refurbished. The proposed development will also include the linking of Christie Place with the campus through the use of lawn and paving to open up the currently underused and non- contributory northern aspect of the reserve. The relationship between University (NESCA) House and Christie Place will be strengthened through the introduction of a sympathetically- designed and constructed open deck, activating and thereby improving passive surveillance, particularly at night time.
The structural design is a hybrid of both steel-framed and concrete-framed construction to accommodate the form of the building, the foundations of which will be provided by the driving of low-vibration steel piles through the alluvial soil to the underlying rock. Stability will be provided by a concrete stability core housing the main lift shafts, so resisting lateral loads from both winds and potential earthquakes. The building facade will consist of a unitised curtain wall, with extrusions to suit aesthetic design elements such as sun shades, part of the dual shading system will that will wrap around the building form in accordance with each solar orientation so as to achieve a 5-star Green Star rating.
The building is conceived as a vertical campus with a high level of interconnectivity, with a circulatory system of escalators, lifts and open stairs, together with a series of double height ‘Urban Rooms’ highly visible from an external perspective. These ‘Urban Rooms’ providing breakout areas for students and staff, inspired by the open structures favoured by traditional life amongst Aboriginal Australians, are arranged so as to provide view catchments to key natural and built features such as Nobbys and the City Hall clock tower. Connecting pathways and learning spaces will address the street frontage. The existing concrete pavements addressing Hunter Street and Auckland Street will be replaced with precast unit pavers to Council standards, thereby providing further linkages with the public domain.
The building, in an in a contemporary and confident urban panoramic style, replaces the sky- ground context is replaced by an urban panoramic flowing both inwards and outwards, befitting the University’s global outlook at aspirations. As a new landmark in the city, NeW Space is designed to be a place that invites the the community into the building and city campus generally through social spaces, connecting pathways and active student learning spaces on the street front.
NeW Space addresses University (NESCA) House on its southern elevation. The proposed materials, colours and finishes are designed to be sympathetic to the character of University (NESCA) House, while permitting NeW Space to be legible as a distinct, contemporary building. The colour of the sunscreen blades is complementary to that of the sandstone facing of the eastern, western and southern elevations of University (NESCA) House, together with the painted render and face brick of the northern elevation. Sandstone is extensively employed at ground level in sympathy with the sandstone facing of University (NESCA) House. The glazing of the tower creates sufficient contrast to permit University (NESCA) House to retain its identity as a stand-alone building which has never been part of the older structure, and to remain legible as such.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 100 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle NeW Space, on its eastern elevation, addresses the Civic Theatre and the City Hall. This element of the building also complements these two historic buildings in terms of colour palette and finishes, particularly in the use of sandstone. The limited height of the building in this connection renders it subservient in terms of scale and bulk to the fly tower of the Civic Theatre and the roof projection of the City Hall and its clock tower. Here, too, landscaping in terms of plantings and porphyry stone setts is sympathetic to the character of the Civic Theatre, City Hall and NESCA Place as concerns screening, breaking up of paving mass, and colour palette. The existing electrical substation, the presence of which is to be softened by climbing plants, will screen much of this element from Christie Place, as will the proposed replacement of the existing car park with lawn, porphyry stone setts, and plantings.
A detailed description of the proposed works for the NeW Space building and University (NESCA) House is contained in the Schematic Design Report for the project. Plans and elevations are as submitted for the State Significant Crown Development process.
6.2 University (NESCA) House: Proposed Modifications The proposed modifications to University (NESCA) House include both internal and external works.
The University of Newcastle has recently called tenders for the conservation and restoration of the sandstone and trachyte employed in the facade. This work will be informed by the report previously prepared by the NSW Department of Commerce (Government Architect’s Office), ‘University House, Newcastle (formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report’ (December 2006). The timeframe for completion of this work will be as established within the tender documents. It is necessary that the ‘Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle’ (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, prepared by EJE Heritage, should guide the external and internal conservation of the building, with specific emphasis on the long-term physical conservation of the structure, which is an item of State heritage significance. The Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, should both inform and be supported by a Heritage Interpretation Strategy.
6.3 Proposed Deck and Associated Activation of Christie Place The proposed lightweight timber-framed suspended outdoor deck on the eastern elevation of University (NESCA) House, linking with the existing substation addressing the existing car park on the northern side of Christie Place, will activate a currently underused public asset, namely the Place itself. This construction will be offset from and structurally independent of the fabric of University (NESCA) House and the existing electrical substation, albeit physically accessible via the proposed enlargement of some existing window apertures to provide doors, while the intrusive substation, exposed by the growth of the Canary Palms and the deletion of the former low-level plantings, will be softened by the introduction on three sides of trellises for climbing plants. The deck will adjoin both University (NESCA) House and the existing substation, but will
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 101 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle be slightly off set from them. The deck will not be adjacent to either the City Hall or Civic Theatre, and will indeed be screened from them by new and existing plantings, as well as by the existing substation.
In conjunction with the proposed deck, which will feature loose tables and chairs for outdoor dining and passive recreation, it is proposed to link Christie Place with open space surrounding NeW Space. This will involve the provision of lawn and paving to replace the intrusive car park, and activate the northern side of Christie Place, which is classified within its Plan of Management as non-contributory. The deck, together with the landscaping link between Christie Place and NeW Space, will considerably improve passive surveillance, particularly at night, in a location that is currently problematic and isolated from public activity.
6.3.1 External Works Eastern Elevation (addressing Christie Place)
The proposed works will affect Christie Place, a public reserve classified as Community Land within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), and included in the Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct as defined within its listing within the State Heritage Register (SHR No. 01883). Christie Place has for many years formed the physical link between the City Hall and University (NESCA) House, establishing a complementary transition between the architectural styles of the two buildings. Christie Place, with its carefully-maintained flower beds, symmetrical pathways and restored fountain, is a showpiece of civic pride. It is included in the ‘Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan’ (August 2008), which contains policies for the conservation of Christie Place, with specific reference to the protection and enhancement of views of the City Hall. It is, therefore, necessary that the integration of Christie Place with the proposed development should be carefully considered and implemented in accordance with the Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan Conservation Policies dealing with setting and landscaping.
The Civic Precinct Plan of Management describes the northern side of Christie Place as a non- contributory element with regard to the Civic Precinct.100 This area is currently occupied by a car park, together with an electrical substation partly screened by Canary Island palm trees. More extensive foliage, compensating for the growth of the Canary Island palms, was previously employed in screening the substation and car park, but this was removed some years ago. The area occupied by the car park formerly provided vehicular egress from the rooftop car park of the now-demolished Nock & Kirby building.
The current use of the northern side of Christie Place is problematic on both aesthetic and utilitarian grounds. The lack of pedestrian amenity is obvious, as is the desirability of pedestrian access between Hunter Street, Christie Place and King Street. Pedestrian access was previously provided by the Civic Arcade, although this was never available at all hours and as of right. The incorporation of the currently problematic northern side of Christie Place into the Place itself has considerable potential. It is submitted that this incorporation should take place in conjunction with the development of the landscaped elements of the new campus. This will provide a seamless flow-through between the principal thoroughfares of the city, as well as the
100 ‘Supporting information for Plan of Management for Civic Precinct, including Civic Park, Christie Place and Church Walk Park’, p. 28.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 102 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle opening of Christie Place to greatly increased public use and appreciation. It will also remove an unsightly car park, although the substation, which is still in use, must remain.
It is proposed to pave the major portion of the existing car park in porphyry stone setts. The existing Christie Place lawn will be extended to in a long curve. The most westerly Canary Island palms will be incorporated within a deck extending from the proposed deck on the eastern elevation of University (NESCA) House. The deck will feature loose tables and chairs to take advantage of the shade provided by the palms, as well as of views of Christie Place. The walls of the existing substation will be concealed on three sides by a proposed climber structure for vines and the like. The eastern elevation of the substation will not be so treated, as it provides access to the interior of the structure. All of these works will combine to transform the northern side of Christie Place from an underused and sometimes problematic non- contributory element into a wider public space, activated by pedestrian traffic and seamless access.
In order to activate the northern elevation of University House with reference to Christie Place, it is proposed to modify a series of existing window openings to form new doorways. The width of the new openings is proposed to align with those above, and thus remain consistent with the majority of fenestration on the building. Based on site investigations the two existing doorways on the east elevation have been constructed post original evident in the minor discolouration of the rounded reveals (see figures below). It is proposed that the new doorways be detailed consistent with these existing doorways, with rounded stone reveals. However the door frames, leafs and top light fixed windows be constructed from steel, similar to the original windows. New door thresholds will remain consistent with existing.
In addition, in order to provide cover over the new doorways a continuous steel plate projection is proposed to be fixed to the head of the new doorways and continue beyond, with rounded returns back to the building face, in line with existing horizontal projections.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 103 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Due to the elevation of the existing ground floor of University House, in relation to Christie Place, a new light weight deck is proposed to provide an outdoor area for loose seating and tables. Ramps are proposed at either end of the deck to provide equitable and disability- compliant access. The proposed structures are to be light weight, so as not to disrupt the array of underground services which traverse the length of the east elevation. The southern ramp is approached by the existing concrete footpath, which will be replaced with precast unit pavers to Council standards.
The proposed light weight deck, with loose seating and tables, will activate the western and north-western areas of Christie Place. The deck will take the place of the existing pergola, a treated pine construction of recent date, which itself took the place of older and larger pergola alcoves which were removed some years ago. It is understood that these demolished structures, which were covered in vines, were once used by some Council staff for ‘smokos’ and lunch breaks, although these uses mostly ceased with the relocation of staff to the Administration Centre in the 1970s, followed by the relocation of the Shortland County Council to Wallsend in the 1980s. It is probable that the structures were removed not only because of their poor condition, but because of their propensity to conceal anti-social behaviour at night time.
Northern Elevation
The northern facade of University House is largely rendered, as opposed to the exposed stone found on the remainder of the building. The elevation currently indicates the previous constructions that once existed on the neighbouring site, by way of exposed brickwork. It is proposed that the existing render be patched and painted in a colour similar to the existing and that the remaining face brickwork be cleaned of loose surface material and left exposed.
The new building on the neighbouring site is set back from University House creating a laneway along the length of the north elevation. In order to provide a level of activation at ground level, a new fixed glass window is proposed, sized and located to align with existing windows above.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 104 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The window will provide visual access from the laneway of the new bike store proposed for University House (refer to ‘Internal works’).
Two additional doorways are proposed for the ground level; one to provide access to the new building, at ground level, the other to provide emergency egress, relocated from the eastern elevation. The new entry door is to be an automatic glazed aluminium door for equitable access, whilst the fire exit door will be solid core.
Within the storey above, a series of surface mounted light boxes are proposed, scaled to match the original windows which were widened to created new doorways. The light boxes are to be constructed from an exposed aluminium frame with opal Perspex, allowing light to be emitted. In addition the existing original security grilles from the windows will be refurbished and mounted to be visible on the light boxes. The primary purpose of the light boxes is to provide an opportunity to exhibit artwork. (See below image from Hosier Lane Melbourne as an example only).
Others works to the north elevation are triggered by the upper level bridge connections to the new building, at levels 1, 2 and 3. As a result a set of new fire doors will be constructed in the external northern wall of University House.
Western Elevation (Auckland Street)
The extent of external modifications proposed to the Auckland Street elevation are restricted to the removal of the existing steel roller doors; access to the existing Watt Space Gallery, the other to the basement store.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 105 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle It is proposed that Watt Space Gallery be relocated from University House to allow change of use for secure bicycle storage and end of trip facilities, including showers and lockers. In addition the existing basement store will be converted for the same purpose.
As a result the existing roller doors are not suitable for access, and it is proposed the openings be in-filled and new hinged doors be provided.
It is proposed to replace the existing steel fabric of the roller shutters, with new steel fabric. The new fabric is to be a fabricated steel bar grille to allow natural ventilation of the bike store, and provide visibility to promote the use of the store and bicycling as a choice of transport. The design of the grille has been restrained so as to maintain consistency with the minimalist nature of the large shop front glazing of the cafe and showroom, within the same strata.
6.3.2 Internal Works
Basement Level
The existing basement store located at the northern end of the building is proposed to be re- purposed for a new secure bike store with end of trip facilities. The space is currently used as a store and is composed of painted masonry walls and concrete flooring, with the underside of the concrete floor above forming the ceiling. A significant amount of surface mounted exposed building services are visible.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 106 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Basement Floor Plan – Demolition Basement Floor Plan – New Works
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 107 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Existing basement
The new works include the reduction in floor area through the deletion of the north eastern corner to allow a new concrete floor, forming an extension of the existing ground floor slab. Additions include the construction of new shower and toilet facilities, and fixing of new bike storage racks to the existing masonry walls.
Proposed new bike racks: wall mounted
The existing floor is proposed to be painted in a nonslip cleanable product, similar to epoxy. The existing masonry walls and concrete ceiling are proposed to be patched and repainted.
The new shower and toilet facilities are proposed to be constructed from light weight framing.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 108 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Ground Floor Mezzanine (Existing Watt Space Gallery)
The existing ground floor mezzanine located at the northern end of the building, above the basement is proposed to be re-purposed for a new secure bike store with end of trip facilities . The space is currently used as a gallery exhibition space and is composed of painted masonry walls and concrete flooring, with the underside of the concrete floor above forming the ceiling.
The new works include the reduction in floor area through the demolition of the north eastern corner to allow a new concrete floor, forming an extension of the existing ground floor slab. Further demolition includes a concrete mezzanine and associated masonry wall located above a ground floor portion of the gallery, to allow for the connection of University House ground floor to the new building, at the north eastern corner. Additional internal masonry and light weight walls within the gallery are also proposed to be demolished to provide an efficient layout for the bike store.
Additions include the construction of new shower and toilet facilities, and fixing of new bike storage racks to the existing masonry walls.
The existing floor is proposed to be painted in a nonslip cleanable product, similar to epoxy. The existing masonry walls and concrete ceiling are proposed to be patched and repainted.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 109 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Existing Watt Space Gallery
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 110 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Ground Floor – East
The internal alterations to eastern portion of the ground floor are proposed to open the ground floor to Christie Place. The existing functions include a fire isolated corridor, an access bathroom, PABX and Main Switch Room and a store. All of these areas are proposed to be demolished, and relocated elsewhere within the building.
The resulting open plan space is proposed to be fitted out as a cafe/bar. The seating area is intended to be used by NeWSpace patrons outside of cafe/bar trading, therefore will be fitted out as part of this application. Service connections such as mechanical, power and hydraulic will be provided to the servery bar and kitchen, however its fit-out will be the responsibility of the tenant, and acknowledge that further planning application may be required for these works.
Existing remaining walls within the area will be patched and painted. Existing ceilings range in height and fabric and as a result will be reconstructed within the new reconfiguration. Being utility spaces the existing ceilings are nondescript, and proposed new ceilings will be set plasterboard and painted.
The existing flooring ranges from concrete in the switch room and fire corridor (fig 3 & 5), to carpet in the PABX and store (fig 2 & 6), to ceramic tile in the access bathroom (fig 4), and vinyl/linoleum in the main corridor (fig 1). All of the applied floor finishes are proposed to be removed. The proposed new floor finish has been selected so as not to compete with the existing travertine located in the adjoining original showroom.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 111 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
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3 4
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Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 112 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Ground Floor – South
The internal alterations to southern portion of the ground floor are restricted to the de-fit of the existing City Hub and Information Common residing in the original showroom space. Joinery and applied floor finishes will be removed and the original travertine floor patched and redundant floor service penetrations capped using methods consistent with existing. The existing offices located at the western end of the showroom are proposed to be retained.
The future use of the space is proposed for temporary exhibition or function.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 113 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Existing City Hub and Info Common
Example of existing patching
Existing capping of service penetrations
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 114 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Ground Floor – West
The internal alterations to western portion of the ground floor are restricted to the de-fit of the existing cafe. All internal fabric is to remain intact, however patched where required as a result of the de-fit. The future use of the space is proposed for temporary exhibition or function.
Existing Café
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 115 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Level 1
The internal alterations to level 1 are restricted to the demolitions associated with the new bridge connection to the new building. The works include the demolition of an store room, which is not deemed original fabric.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 116 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Level 2
The internal alterations to level 2 are restricted to the construction of a new PABX cupboard, and demolitions associated with the new bridge connection to the new building.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 117 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Location of new PABX cupboard
The proposed new PABX cupboard is located adjacent the existing network room to utilise existing vertical service reticulation routes within the building. The works will require the relocation of the existing fire hose reel. The new construction and finish of the room will be consistent with existing.
The bridge connection demolition works include the demolition of an existing office, which is not deemed original fabric.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 118 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Level 3
The internal alterations to level 3 are restricted to the demolitions associated with the new bridge connection to the new building. The works include the demolition of existing offices, which are not deemed original fabric.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 119 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 7. STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT
This is the Statement of Heritage NeW Space Impact for:
Date: This statement was completed in October 2014
Address and Property Description: 401 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; 409 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 2300; 300 King Street Newcastle NSW 2300, Lots Lot 1 DP 1188877; Lot 2 DP 1188877; Lot 2 DP 225689
Prepared by: EJE Heritage
Prepared for: The University of Newcastle, NSW
Introductory
In heritage terms, the proposed alterations and additions must be assessed on the degree of its impact upon the elements contributing to the overall level of significance of the heritage item. In this instance, the heritage item is considered to be significant because of the style and quality of design, internal fitments and fabric, associations with the introduction and expansion of the electricity supply industry in the area, and associations with an eminent architect, Emil Sodersten.
The proposed alterations and extensions to the building will involve both the original 1938 building and the 1959 and 1971 additions. All proposed works are carefully considered with regard to their impact on the existing fabric.
The University of Newcastle has recently called tenders for the conservation and restoration of the sandstone and trachyte employed in the facade. This work will be informed by the report previously prepared by the NSW Department of Commerce (Government Architect’s Office), ‘University House, Newcastle (formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report’ (December 2006). The timeframe for completion of this work will be as established within the tender documents. It is necessary that the ‘Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle’ (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, prepared by EJE Heritage, should guide the future external and internal conservation of the building, with specific emphasis on the long-term physical conservation of the structure, which is an item of State heritage significance. The Conservation Management Plan (April 2011) should also inform a Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the building.
It is submitted that, should the preparation of a Heritage Interpretation Strategy be a Condition of Consent within the State Significant Crown Development framework, the Strategy should be completed subsequent to such consent, should this in fact be given.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 120 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Both the ‘make good’ works and the removal of the existing fit-out should be overseen by an appropriately qualified heritage architect. In addition, an appropriately qualified heritage architect should be engaged to undertake the detailed design for the proposed fit-out, which should be integrated with the interpretation strategy and the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, particularly as concerns Conservation Policy and Implementation (CMP Section 9).
The City Hall Conservation Management Plan sets out Conservation Policies addressing the relationship between the City Hall and Christie Place. The relevant policies are extracted below:
Recognise:
• The landmark status of the City Hall as the centrepiece of the Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct (i.e. Newcastle City Hall should not be dominated by adjacent new development);
• The landmark status of the City Hall tower and views to the tower from surrounding areas;
• The special urban design and historic relationships between Newcastle City Hall, Civic Park, Wheeler Place and Christie Place, including the strong axial relationships; and
• The presence of fully accessible public open space on all sides of the Newcastle City Hall.101
The northern side of Christie Place is described as a non-contributory element with reference of the Civic Precinct.102 The proposed works addressing Christie Place will be in accordance with these Conservation Policies, and, by activating its western and northern sides, particularly by increasing foot traffic on the northern side of Christie Place, will help to integrate the currently problematic northern side into the extended curtilage of the reserve.
The proposed deck is in accordance with the Conservation Policies of the Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan (August 2008), as follows:
· The small scale of the structure does not challenge the landmark status of the City Hall tower, nor views to and from it.
· The alignment and height of the structure with regard to the eastern elevation of University (NESCA) House and the southern elevation of the substation conserves the strong historic and axial relationships between the City Hall, Civic Park, Wheeler Place and Christie Place.
· The removal of the treated pine pergola that currently obstructs views to and from University (NESCA) House, the City Hall and Civic Park will open up these views, which will be appreciated by audiences drawn to the precinct through the activation of the western side, and currently non-contributory northern side, of Christie Place.
101 ‘Newcastle City Hall Conservation Management Plan’ (August 2008), Part 1, pp. 44-45, Part 2, p. 3. 102 ‘Supporting information for Plan of Management for Civic Precinct, including Civic Park, Christie Place and Church Walk Park’, p. 28.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 121 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle · The activation promoted by the proposed structure and associated facility will increase public use of the presently much-underused open space on the western side of the City Hall, opening it to new audiences in association with public appreciation of the State- significant precinct.
The proposed deck is also in accordance with the Conservation Policy of the University House (formerly NESCA House) Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), as follows:
· Most significantly, the proposed decking area and adjacent new doorway openings to the existing building reinforce the relationship between the heritage fabric of University House, Christie Place, and the Town Hall. The CMP describes how these three items are intrinsically related in terms of their physical and visual relationship and the encouragement for casual occupation of and movement through the curtilage of Christie Place can only further strengthen this relationship.
· The group presence of University House, Christie Place and the Town hall is also important in terms of the the definition of the streetscape in the Civic and Cultural precinct. The CMP describes how proposed development or works should take into consideration the impacts on the cultural significance of this area, and it is proposed that encouragement for the occupation of these spaces as above is considered to promote and not degrade the cultural significance of the place.
· It is a policy of the CMP that University House be used for a commercial purpose, and also that the general public be allowed access to parts of the building. The introduction of the new decking area and adjacent doorways creates a non-restrictive intermediary zone where members of the public and also students of the educational establishment can occupy and appreciate the significant curtilage of the item.
· The proposed new doorway openings, while making some minor alteration to the original fabric of the building, are permissible under the policies of the CMP, in that their design is sympathetic to heritage significance of the building, as described;
o The introduction of the doorways enhances the relationship of the building to, and interaction possibilities with the adjacent Christie Place Park, the most significant landscape curtilage area of the item. The proposed works will allow greater appreciation from both public and private responders of the connection between the two items o The design of the doorways is not detrimental the architectural significance of the façade. The adaptation of existing windows to create the new doorway openings means that the original fenestration pattern of the façade is minimally altered; the location and pattern of the openings on this eastern façade of the building are in general not symmetrical or regulated, and as such no significant architectural pattern will be disrupted by the works. o The detailing of the new openings, as required by the CMP, complements the existing architectural character of the building with its mimicking of elements such as the curved door reveal, but also with its introduction of the new architectural vocabulary of steel framing elements to distinguish it as new work.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 122 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The following aspects of the proposal respect or enhance the heritage significance of the item or area for the following reasons: General The NeW Space development responds to the historical and aesthetic attributes of the subject site, in accordance with the need for architecture to reflect the characteristics of its time, and to respond to modern societal insights. It respects and responds to the heritage of its surroundings, in terms of buildings, spaces, street patterns and urban character. That said, the proposed building is a clearly robust, modern structure designed to influence the new development that will follow the new economic opportunities presented by NeW Space, together with renewed connectivity between the waterfront that might follow the proposed closure of the railway. The development is planned as a catalyst for re-activation of a locality that has suffered from the relocation of commercial activity to the suburbs. This will be achieved through the presence of university students, lecturers, visitors, and the commercial infrastructure, such as micro retail and cafe enterprises, which will be created to satisfy their wants and needs.
The scale and transitions of the building reflect those of the surrounding context, specifically the Civic Cultural Precinct and University (NESCA) House, together with Northumberland House and the City Administration Centre. The matching of the tallest part of the building with University (NESCA) House is respectful of both the City Hall and Civic Theatre. The scale of massing on the corner of Hunter Street and Auckland Street provides balance to the streetscape, including the nine-storey law courts building in process of construction.
Like all of these buildings, NeW Space is bold and of its time, calculated both to inspire and symbolise the process of urban renewal. The continuum of cultural history, both of the ground plane and the diverse stylistic built environmental heritage of the Civic precinct, which ranges from New-Classicalism to Urban Panoramic over a period of almost 90 years, will enhance the legibility of a key urban site within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area.
The commitment of the University of Newcastle to inner Newcastle, as represented by NeW Space, signifies the economic and societal confidence upon which the future of the city, including its heritage buildings, must in future depend.
Specific Aspects
· The proximity of the proposed development to the State-significant heritage items, including the Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct and University (NESCA) House, together with its location within the surrounding Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area, imposes strong obligations with regard to respecting and enhancing the heritage significance of those items. The bulk and scale of the proposed building is, therefore, designed to respond to the stepped massing of University (NESCA) House, from which it is separated by the introduction of a southern laneway on its southern edge. The scale of the building on the Hunter Street elevation, furthermore, reflects the lower scale of the adjacent street facades of the Civic Theatre.
· NeW Space pays tribute to its neighbouring buildings, allowing them to be viewed from previously unavailable aspects, conserving views and vistas to and from the nearby State-significant and locally-significant heritage buildings within the surrounding Heritage Conservation Area, and allowing them to be seen in the round as per their original design parameters.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 123 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
· The northern elevation of University (NESCA) House, together with the outline of the now-demolished Oddfellows’ Hall, will remain extant, and visible from the laneway and from the public domain. This physical separation also enhances the lot boundary heritage curtilage of University (NESCA) House. The geometry of internal and external laneways respects the long-established local street patterns. The separation, or breathing space, afforded by NeW Space to the State-significant items, together with its orientation to Civic Park and beyond, reinforces the strongly municipal character of the precinct within the surrounding Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area, and allows all structures, including NeW Space, to be seen in the round as contributing elements in terms of culture, history, science and aesthetics. The stepped scaling of the design as it addresses the Auckland Street elevation of University (NESCA) House reinforces its Art Deco-International Style, linear hybrid concept design as produced by Emil Sodersten.
· The inflection of NeW Space to the north-east, and particularly the effect of the overhanding floors, responds to the physical and cultural significance of Nobbys in both Indigenous and other contexts, and creates a visual gap, affording the public domain in Hunter Street a view of the City Hall clock and tower which would not be available if the overhang were not present. This diagonal view, associated with the two visual and thematic axes to the tower and Nobbys respectively, represents a philosophical connection to, from and between these features across the surrounding Heritage Conservation Area, emphasising a sense of civic mindfulness and connectivity between what is known as ‘town and gown’, the University, the people, and the civic body in which their interests are united. The link, which will be maintained for the entire life of the building, is also emblematic of the neo-Classical theme of the conferring of the light of wisdom and knowledge. This theme is also represented by the Hellenistic inspiration of the clock tower, itself a testament to the continuity of time and history, and of the particular contribution to the life of the city of Morris Light, sometime Mayor of Newcastle and founder of the Civic Centre. The thematic and visual link between the Pharos lighthouse-inspired clock tower, illuminated by night, and the lighthouse at Nobbys will be established and maintained.
· The introduction of a flow-through from Hunter Street to Christie Place through the campus green is symbolic of the creek that once ran between what is now Civic Park and the harbour, and also of the former Civic Arcade, which allowed members of the public to walk from Hunter Street to Christie Place through the former Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd building. The new pedestrian linkage through the building, permitting pedestrian access between the corner of Auckland Street and Hunter Street and Christie Place, and to the Art Gallery, Conservatorium and Library beyond, will further reinforce the view of the City Hall clock tower earlier referred to.
· The inclusion of ‘shop front’ activation reflects the historic importance of Hunter Street as the pre-eminent commercial street of Newcastle, and the long history of commercial activity on the site itself. The activation of the entire campus, by night as well as by day, will increase audiences for the potential appreciation of the State-significant and Locally-significant heritage items in a locality that has, in recent years, suffered from a long process of urban decline.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 124 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle · The incorporation within the proposed design of Urban Rooms or ‘lookouts’ will provide break-out and learning spaces for the student learning hub, the staff lounge, the Library, the research collaboration space and the informal student areas, and also address visual catchments to the City Hall, Nobbys, the Hunter River, the West End and Hunter Street. These Urban Rooms are legible from the public domain as a physical and social representation of University activities within the building and in the wider context of the NeW Space educational precinct. The timber decking of the Urban Rooms, while not readily visible from the public domain, will both soften their ambience and provide a material link with the traditional timber floors of the buildings that formerly occupied the site. The Urban Rooms themselves are inspired by the prominent, over-footpath verandahs of the Northumberland Permanent Building, Investment, Land, and Loan Society building that until its demolition in 1938 stood on the corner of Blane (Hunter) Street and Burwood Street, a short distance east of the NeW Space site within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area.
· The creation of a rise in the form of a split level to the ground plane, so meeting the Newcastle City Council-certified flood-design level requiring that the ground floor areas of the building must be approximately 1.4 metres above street level, softens the impact of what might otherwise be a retaining wall-type element that would limit interaction with the public domain, and work against the urban panoramic engagement that the development is designed to provide. This is further ameliorated by the use of internal learning platforms and stairs to break up the subject space into a series of distinct learning spaces.
· The external self-supporting silver and bronze anodised sunshade fins provide a visual link with the prominent sunshades that characterise the western elevation of University (NESCA) House. The levels of the fins align with University (NESCA) House and graduate to a lighter colour as the building rises above.
· The proposed colour palette is characterised by warm colours, local porphyry stone, timber and steel, complementing the painted surfaces of the Civic Theatre; the sandstone veneers of the City Hall and NESCA House; the red face brick of Northumberland House and the more distant Honeysuckle Workshops; and the buildings of the surrounding Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area generally. The colour of the lightweight metallic sun shade fins will be sympathetic to those of University (NESCA) House, emphasising the unity of form and function of this element as shared by the two buildings. The palette will, in short, be empathic to the contemporary design and form of NeW Space, but will not overwhelm the predominant tones already existing, nor detract from the existing views and vistas to and from the State-significant and locally-significant items and Heritage Conservation Area.
· The link between NeW Space and University (NESCA) House will permit the activation and conservation of a heritage building that has not been used to its potential since its vacation by Shortland Electricity in 1987. The fulfilment of this potential will also encourage the longevity of use by the University of the nearby Northumberland House and Conservatorium by the activation of the immediate precinct through the movement of students for both educational and social purposes between all three of these centres. The bridging elements between NeW Space and University (NESCA) House across the proposed urban laneway will permit the continued physical separation of these old and new elements, while allowing a unity of use and purpose. The bridging
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 125 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle elements themselves will be clearly new, and will not seek inauthentically to replicate the heritage fabric, thereby preventing confusion between the two.
· The proposed new window and door apertures to University (NESCA) House are sympathetic to its heritage fabric. The introduction of new ingress and egress addressing Christie Place, together with the introduction of the proposed transitional eatery, provides an emblematic connection with the customary use by NESCA and Shortland County Council employees of this park, which had its origins in the “small tree-planted area” providing a formal link with the earlier City Hall. The proposed apertures will activate the currently under-used Christie Place, and open to new audiences the existing views and vistas to and from that portion of the Civic Cultural Precinct. The detailing of the proposed new apertures will be consistent with those existing, with rounded stone reveals; their door frames, leafs and top light fixed windows will, however, be constructed of steel, complementing the original windows, rather than the unsympathetic aluminium of the existing retrofitted doors. The new door thresholds will remain consistent with those existing. The continuous steel plate projection to be fixed to the heads of the new doorways, which will have rounded returns back to the building face, will complement existing horizontal projections.
· The proposed outdoor deck, accessible both via disability-compliant ramps to both north and south and via the proposed glazed doors within the modified window apertures of University (NESCA) House, will activate the currently little-used western and northern sides of Christie Place.
· The construction of the disability-compliant ramps to the proposed outdoor deck will permit people living with disabilities to gain access to University (NESCA) House. The existing ramp on the western elevation is not compliant with the relevant legislation. The deck will, therefore, allow the building, and the precinct as a whole, to be appreciated by an audience currently unable to gain safe access to it.
· The proposed outdoor deck will not diminish the heritage significance of the interface between Christie Place and University (NESCA) House, nor have a negative effect on the fabric of the building itself. The deck will not extend above the height of the floor of the ground floor of the building, so retaining the established hierarchies.
· The proposed deck will screen the existing electrical substation, which is associated with the currently problematic and non-contributory northern side of Christie Place. It will also allow an appreciation of the existing Canary Island palms.
· The absence of an awning will allow the structure to remain separate from the building itself, meaning that there will be no effect on the sandstone facade, either physically or from potential damage by water run-off. The absence of an awning also allows the eastern elevation of the building to be seen in the round. This will be accentuated by the proposed removal of the existing treated pine pergola structure, which is of comparatively recent date, and is out of scale with the pergola that historically occupied the space.
· The proposed fixed glass window addressing the proposed laneway between University (NESCA) House and the NeW Space building will be sized and located to align with those existing above, while remaining legible as new work.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 126 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
· The surface-mounted light boxes, for the exhibition of art work, will be scaled to match the original windows that were widened to create new doorways. The light boxes will be clearly identifiable as new work, but their impact will be softened by the refurbishing and remounting of original security grilles.
· The selection of modern, functional materials differentiates NeW Space from the sandstone facing of both University (NESCA) House and the City Hall, allowing these distinctive finishes to be appreciated, unchallenged by any inauthentic attempt to reproduce them in the new building in the context of the surrounding Heritage Conservation Area. The necessary interventions in adapting University (NESCA) house to a higher order use in conjunction with NeW Space for the University will in every way respect the condition and integrity of its significant internal and external fabric, although new fire doors must unavoidably be specified for the upper level bridge connections with the NeW Space building at levels 1, 2 and 3, which will affect only the 1959 fabric, not that of the original building.
· The proposed paving of the existing car park on the northern side of Christie Place will provide public access as of right to a locality currently grossly under-used and sometimes problematic to night time public safety.
· The provision of climber structures on three sides of the existing substation will screen this non-contributory element in addressing NeW Space, University (NESCA) House and Christie Place.
· The extension of the lawn of Christie Place into the area of the existing car park will remove a currently intrusive element. The long curve of the lawn will demonstrate that the car park was not originally part of Christie Place, and also show that Christie Place has changed over the years according to municipal and public need and use.
· The lawn and paving of the existing car park will encourage the use of the currently attractive area by students and members of the public, opening the area to new audiences to a new appreciation of the City Hall, University (NESCA) House and Civic Theatre. The paving materials, which break up the open spaces, will complement the materials and massing of all three of these buildings.
· Removal of the existing, non-original offices on level 3 of the 1959 NESCA House additions will reinstate portion of the original layout.
· The replacement of the existing, intrusive roller doors from the ground floor of the 1959 additions, will delete intrusive elements, and replace them with more sympathetic fabric of a restrained design that will maintain consistency with the minimalist nature of the large shop front glazing of the café and showroom.
· The introduction of a new concrete floor in the north-eastern corner of the basement and existing ground floor mezzanine will not be intrusive, as it will be a continuation of the existing floor slab.
· The proposed demolition and relocation of the fire isolated corridor, access bathroom, PABX and main switch room and store, and their replacement with a café/bar will not
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 127 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle affect significant fabric, as this is nondescript for utility purposes. The proposed floor finish will not compete with the travertine flooring of the adjoining original showroom.
· The patching of the travertine floor of the existing city hub and information common will conserve this significant fabric.
· The Civic Theatre, the western elevation of which was not intended to communicate with public domain, will not have newly-introduced physical connections with the proposed development. Its western wall, refinished after the demolition of the Australian Provincial Assurance building that formerly adjoined it, will address the open space campus green, and will not affect existing views and vistas to and from the Civic Cultural Precinct.
Aspects Concerning the Culture of Aboriginal Australians
The development respects the Awabakal people, the traditional custodians of the place, who for 30,000 years enjoyed a rich variety of foods hunted and gathered in the unpolluted creeks, wetlands and forests that characterised the surrounding area. Rarely remaining in one place for very long, they moved around their country in response to the times and seasons. A favourite camping place was near the mouth of what is today called Cottage Creek, which flowed into the Hunter River not far from the subject land. Here, for nearly 7,000 years, the Awabakal clans made stone tools which were distributed far inland along traditional trade routes. The NeW Space design incorporates several features that respect and enhance these themes, including:
· the proposed urban rooms, which reflect the openness of traditional shelters, known is some places as gunyahs, and reinforce the permeability of the building;
· the identification of NeW Space as a gathering place for Teaching and Learning, Reflecting, Living, Striving and Dreaming, which invoke the Awabakal words nungngurrawoiliko (gathering); kotelliko (thinking); and garaka (a gateway), and also make respectful reference to the passing on of traditional customs and practical teachings; and
· the orientation of the northern edge of the building towards Whibayganba (Nobbys) and Mulubinba (the Hunter River) establishes the site in relation to these traditional places.
These have the potential, through the use of Awabakal nomenclature and uses inspired by Aboriginal Australians, to educate responders as to the cultural significance of the site in particular, and of Country in general.
The following aspects of the proposal could detrimentally impact on the heritage significance of the item or area for the following reasons: The project involves the construction of a comparatively large contemporary building in an urban panoramic style, in which the sky-ground context is replaced by an urban panoramic leading both into and out of the structure, in proximity to buildings of State heritage significance that define Newcastle’s civic aspirations. This has the potential to raise particular difficulties with regard to the relationship between the old and the new, including their physical, visual and spatial interactions. As discussed above, these potential problems have been negated by the careful preparation of the concept design. The architectural style of NeW Space is clearly
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 128 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle contemporary. This permits the new work to be clearly identified as such, without any attempt inauthentically to replicate existing fabric, form and materials. The choice of a contemporary style, form and colour palette for the construction of a new University campus on a landmark site is an appropriate one, it being inappropriate to seek to emulate the State-significant heritage items to which the development is adjacent. The Civic Cultural Precinct and University (NESCA) House were themselves sited on brownfield sites, and constructed with a view to the transformation of their surrounding land uses from industrial and warehousing activities to civic and cultural ones. The City Hall and University (NESCA) House, while complementing one another in terms of materials and purposes, were designed as stand-alone, independent buildings, incorporating substantial differences in architectural style, form, setback and massing. NeW Space is developed in the same manner.
The following sympathetic design solutions were considered and discounted for the following reasons: Three other designs were submitted in the course of the design competition. After the submission of the competition design in December 2013, key design outcomes were reviewed, while due consideration was given to other sympathetic design solutions. While some of these were acted upon, others were discounted, as discussed below:
· The alignment of the ‘urban rooms’ with the facade planes was considered, but was rejected so as to provide visual and cultural links in accordance with the creation of an urban panoramic, rather than that of a sky-ground relationship. It was also allows the ‘urban rooms’ to be legible as distinct objects, thus breaking up areas of the facade so as to complement University (NESCA) House, the Civic Cultural Precinct and nearby streetscape elements.
· The identified potential for flooding in and around the site having necessitated that the ground floor of the proposed building must be approximately 1.4m above street level, the provision of a retaining wall along the northern and western elevations was considered, but was rejected, in that it would not encourage the desired level of connection between the campus and the wider community in accordance with the urban panoramic leading both into and out of the structure. The requirement will instead be met by a split level to the ground plane, creating the necessary rise in the form of internal learning platforms and stairs, so creating a series of distinct learning spaces, together with an allocated refuge area.
· The use of a single vertical column to support the large mass inflecting in the direction of Nobbys was considered, but was rejected in favour of two columns in the form of an ‘X’ to support this form, of which only half, in the shape of a ‘V’, is visible from the street. The descaling and angular nature of the structure contrasts with the strong vertical nature of the City Hall, allowing it to be framed with more clarity.
· The use of a supported awning for the proposed outdoor deck addressing Christie Place was considered, but was discounted on the grounds that such a design had the potential to conflict with the Conservation Policies of the City Hall Conservation Management Plan.
The following actions are recommended to minimise disturbance and/or enhance the interpretation of the heritage significance of the item or area:
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 129 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Mandatory Actions
The proposed development will involve the excavation of the subject land. Persons undertaking these excavations must comply with legislation as explained hereunder, and should, furthermore, have regard to the AMAC ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’.
Although all structures on the site were demolished to slab level in May 2013, and previous reports have held that the now-demolished Energy Australia building (formerly the Nock & Kirby store)103 and the now-demolished Civic Arcade building (formerly the Australian Provincial Insurance building)104 did not have basements, the situation with regard to the sites of the other buildings on the subject land has not yet been ascertained. As previously discussed, the Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan (February 1997)105 includes the site of the ironmongery and machinery store of Fuller, Moar and Rodgers (Archaeological Plan Item 1168), situated on Lot 72 and partially extending onto the property at the rear (Archaeological Plan Item 1169), known as Lot 14 on the A.A. Company’s subdivision plan. The report does not address the archaeological potential of Item 1168. Item 1169, which is not within the subject land but is adjacent to it, is described as a disturbed or potential archaeological site.
The subject land may, therefore, contain historical relics within the meaning of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), s. 4(1), as set out below,
relic means any deposit, artefact, object or material evidence that:
(a) relates to the settlement of the area that comprises New South Wales, not being Aboriginal settlement, and
(b) is of State or local heritage significance.
Should this in fact be the case, before the commencement of excavations, it will be necessary for the proponent to obtain from the Heritage Council of NSW an Excavation Permit under s. 139:
139 Excavation permit required in certain circumstances
(1) A person must not disturb or excavate any land knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the disturbance or excavation will or is likely to result in a relic being discovered, exposed, moved, damaged or destroyed unless the disturbance or excavation is carried out in accordance with an excavation permit. (2) A person must not disturb or excavate any land on which the person has discovered or exposed a relic except in accordance with an excavation permit. Should any items properly described as relics, for example footings of demolished structures, in fact be unearthed in the course of site or construction works, notification must be made in accordance with s. 146, as follows:
103 Heritas Architecture, ‘Heritage Impact Statement, 409 Hunter Street (former Energy Australia building), Newcastle NSW’ (December 2005). 104 Heritas Architecture, ‘Civic Arcade Facade, 395-409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW’ (March 2006) This concerned the Art Deco-style facade of the former Australian Provincial Insurance building, later the Civic Arcade. 105 Suters Architects and Planners, in association with C. Lavelle, C and M.J. Doring Pty Ltd and John Turner for Newcastle City Council (February 1997).
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 130 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 146 Notification of discovery of relic
A person who is aware or believes that he or she has discovered or located a relic (in any circumstances, and whether or not the person has been issued with a permit) must: (a) within a reasonable time after he or she first becomes aware or believes that he or she has discovered or located that relic, notify the Heritage Council of the location of the relic, unless he or she believes on reasonable grounds that the Heritage Council is aware of the location of the relic, and (b) within the period required by the Heritage Council, furnish the Heritage Council with such information concerning the relic as the Heritage Council may reasonably require.
The Heritage Council should be immediately contacted via the Heritage Division of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 3 Marist Place, Parramatta NSW 2150, telephone: 02 9873 8500, and by email at [email protected]
In the event of such a discovery, Council’s Heritage Officer, Ms Sarah Cameron, should also immediately be contacted at (02) 4974 2000, and by email at [email protected]
Conservation Management Plan
It is necessary that the ‘Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle’ (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works prepared by EJE Heritage, should guide the future external and internal conservation of the building, with specific emphasis on the long-term physical conservation of the structure, which is an item of State heritage significance. The Conservation Management Plan (April 2011) should also inform a Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the building.
Both the ‘make good’ works and the removal of the existing fit-out should be overseen by an appropriately qualified heritage architect. In addition, an appropriately qualified heritage architect should be engaged to undertake the detailed design for the proposed fit-out, which should be integrated with the interpretation strategy and the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works particularly as concerns Conservation Policy and Implementation (CMP Section 9).
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 131 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 8. HERITAGE INTERPRETATION STRATEGY
8.1.1 Statement of Principles Interpretation is intended to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the place by presenting the history and significance of the place, which is otherwise not obvious by its fabric and setting.
An Interpretation Strategy provides policies and strategies and should identify key themes and relevant audiences, with recommendations of appropriate media. Appropriate media may include signs, guided tours, events, displays, exhibitions, lighting, oral history, publications, artwork and educational programs.
An interpretation strategy for the University House Building should be prepared and implemented for visitors to have a greater understanding of the cultural significance of the place.
8.2 Implementation
a) Interpretation should provide equitable physical, spiritual and intellectual access to the cultural significance of University House.
b) Interpretation of University House should take into account all the historic phases of the sites history and be presented in an accurate and insightful manner. It should reveal and interpret the significance of the building.
c) Reference should be made to the NSW Heritage Branch Publication Interpreting Heritage Places and Items Guidelines 2005.
d) Appropriate conservation skills and experience should be employed in the documentation and supervision of interpretation works and works.
While this Statement of Heritage Impact does not include such a Heritage Interpretation Strategy, potential opportunities for heritage interpretation include:
· The construction and initial planning and décor of NESCA (University) House, together with the alterations and additions subsequently made to the building;
· The history of NESCA, the former electricity supply undertaking of Newcastle City Council;
· An exploration of the motivations and achievements of notable persons, such as Guy Albutt, and classes of persons connected with the history of the building, with particular attention given to the role of women, not only as consumers but as administrators such as Miss Myrtle Marshall;
· The occupation of the building after the NESCA/Shortland County Council era, including the revitalising role of the University of Newcastle both before and after the construction of NeW Space; and
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 132 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle · The continuing relevance, in terms of the NSW Heritage Council document Place Names of Heritage Value: a Heritage Council Policy (2004), of the place name NESCA House, together with that of the now-removed crest and titles above the entrance, to the fabric and identity of the building, despite its more recent identity as University House.
The ‘make good’ works and the removal of the existing fit-out should be overseen by an appropriately qualified heritage architect. In addition, an appropriately qualified heritage architect should be engaged to undertake the detailed design for the proposed fit-out, which should be integrated with the interpretation strategy and the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, particularly as concerns Conservation Policy and Implementation (CMP Section 9).
It is submitted that, should the preparation of a Heritage Interpretation Strategy be a Condition of Consent within the State Significant Crown Development framework, the Strategy should be completed subsequent to such consent, should this in fact be given.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 133 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 9. PROPOSED ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION MEASURES
9.1 MANDATED ACTIONS 9.1.1 Construction Non-Indigenous Management Plan The lead contractor for the construction of NeW Space should, before commencing site work, prepare a Construction Non-Indigenous Management Plan setting out the mitigation and management strategies that would be implemented to minimise potential impacts to archaeological items.
9.1.2 Excavation Director An Excavation Director, whose experience complies with the criteria promulgated by the Heritage Division of the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, should be appointed prior to any excavation. The Excavation Director must advise on archaeological matters associated with the excavation, and is to ensure compliance with both the procedures to be adopted in the event of unexpected finds and measures for protecting heritage items that are to be conserved.
9.1.3 Potential Impacts on Archaeological Resources Associated with the NeW Space Site Excavation works proposed for the site are likely to unearth items properly classified as relics within the meaning of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), s 4(1):
Relic means any deposit, artefact, object or material evidence that:
(a) relates to the settlement of the area that comprises New South Wales, not being Aboriginal settlement; and (b) is of State or local heritage significance.
Any such relic disturbed within the subject land falls within the intent of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), s 139:
(1) A person must not disturb or excavate any land knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the disturbance or excavation will or is likely to result in a relic being discovered, exposed, moved, damaged or destroyed unless the disturbance or excavation is carried out in accordance with an excavation permit.
(2) A person must not disturb or excavate any land on which the person has discovered or exposed a relic except in accordance with an excavation permit.
The proponent shall, therefore, apply for an Excavation Permit under the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) s 139.
9.1.4 Heritage Council must be Notified of Discovery or Location of Relics Should relics indeed be discovered or located, the proponent and its agents are bound to act in accordance with the provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) s 146:
A person who is aware or believes that he or she has discovered or located a relic (in any circumstances, and whether or not the person has been issued with a permit) must:
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 134 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle (a) within a reasonable time after he or she first becomes aware or believes that he or she has discovered or located that relic, notify the Heritage Council of the location of the relic, unless he or she believes on reasonable grounds that the Heritage Council is aware of the location of the relic, and (b) within the period required by the Heritage Council, furnish the Heritage Council with such information concerning the relic as the Heritage Council may reasonably require.
The proponent and its agents are also bound to act in accordance with the provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), s 146A:
(1) As soon as practicable after a relic is obtained from an excavation carried out by the holder of a permit, the holder shall notify the Minister of the existence of the relic.
(2) The holder shall furnish the Minister with such information concerning the relic as the Minister may reasonably require.
9.1.5 Duties and Responsibilities of the Excavation Director The Excavation Director shall: (a) notify the proponent of potentially archaeologically sensitive places; (b) closely observe the course and conduct of excavations both in those places and in the entire area of excavations; (c) be responsible to the proponent for compliance with the provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) as described above, and (d) advise the proponent as to the level of significance of such relics as may be discovered within the area of excavations. These levels may be Local, State or National.
9.1.6 Measures for Protecting Heritage Items that are to be Conserved Should relics be discovered within the area of excavation, the Excavation Director shall advise the proponent as to practical measures for the protection of those items.
In the first instance, the Excavation Director, in consultation with the Heritage Branch, shall consider the practicality of conserving the relic on site in accordance with Kelly Strickland and Martin Carney, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’, together with any further site-specific archaeological reports, as guided by the Burra Charter: the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance 2013.
Should this not be possible within the parameters of the Burra Charter, the Excavation Director shall have regard to the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) s 146B, which provides that:
The Minister may, by notice in writing, direct any person:
(a) who is or has been the holder of a permit, or
(b) who, in the Minister’s opinion, has obtained a historic shipwreck as a consequence of having removed the relic without a historic shipwrecks permit, in contravention of section 51, or
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(c) who, in the Minister’s opinion, has obtained a relic as a consequence of having excavated land without an excavation permit, in contravention of section 139, to deliver the relic to a specified person or body (such as a museum) who in the opinion of the Minister has the facilities and expertise to conserve the relic.
These provisions make clear the need to conserve such relics as cannot be retained on site. The relic or relics will, therefore, be offered in sequential order of priority to the bodies listed below in terms of conservation by location, classification and acquisition policy:
(a) Newcastle Museum, Newcastle NSW; (b) Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney NSW (Powerhouse Museum); (c) National Museum of Australia, Canberra ACT.
9.2 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS It is recommended that printed and PDF copies of this Statement of Heritage Impact should be made available to University of Newcastle Cultural Collections, Callaghan NSW, and to the Local Studies section of Newcastle Region Library, Newcastle NSW.
It is also recommended that, if so suggested by Awabakal stakeholders, a smoking ceremony should be conducted, so as to reinforce the importance of the NeW Space site to Aboriginal Australians.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 136 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle 10. CONCLUSION
The proposed NeW Space education precinct has the potential to revitalise an inner Newcastle precinct characterised by gradual economic and social decline. Identified as a State Significant Crown Development in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011, the scheme has the potential to fulfil two chief aims of the Newcastle Urban Renewal Strategy, namely the establishment of a university campus in the city centre, and the reshaping of Hunter Street as a key city destination.
The site has played an important part in the history of inner Newcastle. Its original custodianship by the Awabakal people, its sympathetic users and protectors, gave rise to early interaction with the European newcomers. The dispossession of the Awabakal, shortly followed by the giving of their land to a corporation that took no account of their prior claims, is an event that ought to be better realised. The subdivision of the land in the 1850s, and its consequent purchase by owners who put it to small-scale residential and commercial use, was followed by more intensive development as befitting the increasingly industrial character of the surrounding locality. The somewhat surprising transformation of this area into a new Civic Centre was the fruit of vision and determination on the part of municipal leaders, chief among them Morris Light, who in this way served his adopted country without prospect of personal gain. The Civic Centre represented the first, essential stage in the attraction of further municipal development, including NESCA House and later that of Northumberland House. This, in turn, encouraged the establishment nearby of cultural and educational institutions, such as the War Memorial Cultural Centre and the Conservatorium of Music; the latter became part of the University of Newcastle, which subsequently purchased NESCA House and is now the proponent of NeW Space. The new development, therefore, represents the continuity of historic and cultural themes with which its precinct has long been identified.
The architectural character of NeW Space is clearly modern, being calculated both to inspire and symbolise the process of urban renewal. Its contemporary and confident urban panoramic style replaces the sky-ground context with a panoramic flowing both inwards and outwards, in accordance with the global outlook and aspirations of the University of Newcastle. The building will, therefore, become an integral and connected part of the city, inviting to the community through its connecting pathways and active student learning spaces. It also has the potential, through the use of Awabakal nomenclature and uses inspired by Aboriginal Australians, to educate responders as to the cultural significance of the site in particular, and of Country in general.
The relationship of NeW Space with nearby heritage items, and in particular the adjacent State Heritage Register-listed buildings, is sensitively managed. The design responds to the historical and aesthetic attributes of its site, while remaining a building of its time. While the spatial relationship with the Civic Cultural Precinct, including the Civic Theatre, City Hall and Wheeler Place, is maintained, NeW Space will physically interface only with University (NESCA) House, but will be separated from it by a new laneway, allowing a new-found appreciation of the building. No existing views and vistas to and from State-significant and locally-significant heritage items within the surrounding Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area will be negatively affected; moreover, new views of portions of the Civic Cultural Precinct will be achieved and preserved. The proposed alterations to University (NESCA) House will be in accordance with the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works for that building, and also for the Newcastle City Hall (incorporating the Civic Precinct) and the Civic Theatre.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 137 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle The matching of the tallest part of NeW Space with University (NESCA) House is respectful of both the City Hall and Civic Theatre, while the scale of massing on the corner of Hunter Street and Auckland Street provides balance to the streetscape, including the nine-storey law courts building in process of construction. The continuum of cultural history, both of the ground plane and the diverse stylistic environmental heritage of the Civic precinct, ranging from New- Classicalism to Urban Panoramic over a period of almost 90 years, will enhance the legibility of a key urban site.
The University of Newcastle has recently called tenders for the conservation and restoration of the sandstone and trachyte employed in the facade. This work will be informed by the report previously prepared by the NSW Department of Commerce (Government Architect’s Office), ‘University House, Newcastle (formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report’ (December 2006). The timeframe for completion of this work will be as established within the tender documents. It is necessary that the ‘Conservation Management Plan: University House (formerly NESCA House), King Street Newcastle’ (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, prepared by EJE Heritage, should guide the external and internal conservation of the building, with specific emphasis on the long-term physical conservation of the structure, which is an item of State heritage significance. The Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), which includes a Heritage Fabric Survey and Schedule of Conservation Works, should also inform a Heritage Interpretation Strategy for the building. Both the ‘make good’ works and the removal of the existing fit-out should be overseen by an appropriately qualified heritage architect. In addition, an appropriately qualified heritage architect should be engaged to undertake the detailed design for the proposed fit-out, which should be integrated with the interpretation strategy and the Conservation Management Plan (April 2011), particularly as concerns Conservation Policy and Implementation (CMP Section 9). It is submitted that, should the preparation of a Heritage Interpretation Strategy be a Condition of Consent within the State Significant Crown Development framework, the Strategy should be completed subsequent to such consent, should this in fact be given.
The commitment of the University of Newcastle to inner Newcastle as represented by NeW Space will signify and import that economic and societal confidence upon which the future of the inner city, including its heritage buildings, must in future depend.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 138 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
11.1 Monographs
Armstrong, John, Pipelines and People: The History of the Hunter District Water Board, New South Wales. Newcastle: HDWB, 1967.
Armstrong, Peter, From Council to Corporation: The History of Newcastle’s Electricity Supply. Newcastle: The Author, 2002
Bairstow, Damaris, A Million Pounds, A Million Acres: The Pioneer Settlement of the Australian Agricultural Company. Cremorne: The Author, 2003.
Leo Butler, Symphony on a City. Sydney: Oswald Zeigler Publications, 1957.
Council of the City of Newcastle, City of Newcastle, 1929: Souvenir of Civic Week. Newcastle: Council of the City of Newcastle, 1929.
Council of the City of Newcastle, NESCA House publicity booklet. Newcastle: Council of the City of Newcastle, 1929.
Gregson, J. (1907) The Australian Agricultural Company, 1824-1875, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
James Grant, The Narrative of a Voyage of Discovery, Performed in His Majesty’s Vessel The Lady Nelson, of Sixty Tons Burthen, With Sliding Keels, in the Years 1800, 1801 and 1802, to New South Wales. London: T. Edgerton, Military Library, Whitehall, 1803.
Hunter, Cynthia, The 1827 Newcastle Notebook and Letters of Lieutenant William S. Coke, H.M. 39th Regiment. Raymond Terrace: Hunter House Publications, 1997.
Lingard, Eric (ed.), Newcastle: 150 Years: 1797 – 1947. Produced by Direction of the Council of the City of Greater Newcastle to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Landing of Lieutenant Shortland, R.N., at the Mouth of the Hunter River. Newcastle : Oswald L. Ziegler for the Publicity Subcommittee of the Greater Newcastle 150th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, 1947.
Lingard, Eric (ed)., Vision, Newcastle: Grounds for Growth: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Newcastle Business Men’s Club. Newcastle: Newcastle Business Men’s Club, 1983.
Pemberton, Pennie. Pure Merinos and Others: the ‘Shipping Lists of the Australian Agricultural Company’. Canberra: Archives of Business and Labour, 1986.
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 139 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle Preston, Ron, The Great Northern Railway: Newcastle to Maitland 1857 – 1982. Newcastle: Australian Railway Historical Society (Newcastle Branch), 1982
Pole Depot Neighbourhood Centre Inc, A History of Pole Depot: 25 Years of Serving the Community. Penshurst: The Centre, 2004
Stapleton, Ian and Stapleton, Maisy, ‘C. Bruce Dellit and Emil Sodersten’, in Howard Tanner (ed.), Architects of Australia. Melbourne: Macmillan, 1981.
Thorne, Ross, Cinemas of Australia via USA. Art Department, University of Sydney, 1981. Turner, John, A Pictorial History of Newcastle. Crows Nest: Kingsclear Books, 1997.
Turner, John, Joseph Lycett: Governor Macquarie’s Convict Artist. Newcastle: Hunter History Publications, 1997.
Turner, John, Manufacturing in Newcastle, 1801-1900. Newcastle: Newcastle Region Public Library, 1980.
Wilkenfeld, George and Spearrit, Peter, Electrifying Sydney: 100 Years of EnergyAustralia. Sydney: Energy Australia, 2004
Windross, John, and Ralston, J.P. Historical Records of Newcastle 1797-1897. Newcastle: Federal Printing and Bookbinding Works, 1897.
Wood, W. Allan, Dawn in the Valley: The Story of Settlement in the Hunter River Valley to 1833, Wentworth Books, Sydney, 1972.
11.2 Reports ‘NESCA House Newcastle: A Conservation Plan prepared by EJE Architecture for Becalen Pty Ltd (August 1990)’.
AHMS, Section 87/90 Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit No. 1098622, Excavation Report for SBA Architects, Final Report 13 May 2011. Sydney: AHMS 2011, Appendix 4, Ground Truth Consulting Pty Ltd Geomorphological Report.
Heritas Architecture, ‘Civic Arcade Facade, 395-409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW’ (March 2006).
Heritas Architecture, ‘Heritage Impact Statement, 409 Hunter Street (former Energy Australia building), Newcastle NSW’ (December 2005).
Hunter, Cynthia, ‘Newcastle Civic & Cultural Precinct Historical Development (2002)’, report for City Strategy Group, Newcastle City Council.
NSW Department of Commerce, Government Architect’s Office, ‘University House, Newcastle: (formerly known as NESCA House): Stone Condition Report (December 2006)’.
NSW Government Architect and Newcastle City Council, ‘Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct Draft Master Plan and Design Report’ (October 2003).
Prepared by EJE Heritage Page 140 Nominated Architect – Peter Campbell No. 4294 10021-SOHI-001 STATEMENT OF HERITAGE IMPACT NeW Space Education Precinct, University of Newcastle
Strickland, Kelly and Carney, Martin, Archaeological Management & Consulting Group (AMAC), ‘Archaeological Assessment, Research Design, Excavation Methodology and Heritage Impact Assessment, “NeW Space” Development (December 2013)’.
Suters Architects and Planners, in association with C. Lavelle, C and M.J. Doring Pty Ltd and John Turner for Newcastle City Council, ‘Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan’ (February 1997).
Umwelt Environmental Consultants, ‘Preliminary Archaeological Assessment for Civic Demolition Site’ (July 2012).
11.3 Articles John Heath, ‘Muloobinbah: The Contribution of Aboriginal People to the Resources of the Hunter Region’, in Riverchange: Six New Histories of the Hunter. Newcastle: Newcastle Region Library, 1998.
Johnson, Marguerite, ‘What to Look for in a Mayor; or Classical Reception in the Coalopolis’, in Melbourne Historical Journal, Vol. 40, Issue 2.
11.4 Electronic Materials Campbell, David, ‘Railways of the Newcastle District of New South Wales, 1840 – 1865: Some Influences on their Development’, in Stories of the GNR (CD). Newcastle: Engineers Australia and Newcastle Regional Museum, 2007.
di Gravio, Gionni, ‘The Life and Legacy of Morris Light (1859 – 1929)’, http://uoncc.wordpress.com/category/places/newcastle/history-of-newcastle/newcastle-city- council-history/
Parliament of Australia, Hansard, Minutes of Estimates Committee – 15/05/1990 – Department of Transport and Communications – Program 5 –Maritime – Subprogram 5.3 – Maritime Safety http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:committees%2Festimate %2Fecomd900515a_ece.out%2F0050
11.5 Newspapers
Hebrew Standard of Australia
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate
Sydney Morning Herald
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