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COMMUNITY AND CULTURE COMMITTEE Agenda Item 5.1 REPORT

14 February 2006 NORTH RECREATION RESERVE REDEVELOPMENT – INITIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Division Assets & Services

Presenter Ian Harris, Group Manager Parks & Recreation

Purpose

1. To provide an update on the consultation undertaken in relation to the three options for the redevelopment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve proposed in the 13 December 2005 Council meeting and to recommend approval of the preferred option and further consultation with the community.

Recommendation

2. That the Community and Culture Committee:

2.1. note the consultation undertaken in relation to the three options for the redevelopment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve proposed in the 13 December 2005 Council Report;

2.2. approve the redevelopment of the Reserve consistent with the concept proposed in Option 1 of this Report which would involve the removal of all existing structures on the Reserve, including the grandstand;

2.3. request that further consultation be undertaken with the community in developing the detailed plans with community access to the facility to be located at the site indicated in Option 1 and to the satisfaction of Council; and

2.4. receive a further update on this project following the development of the detailed plans.

Key Issues

3. Council at its 13 December 2005 meeting, resolved as follows:

"1. That Council: 1.1. support the redevelopment of the recreational and sporting facilities located on land managed by the City of Melbourne at North Melbourne, Richmond and Carlton which are currently used by three Australian Football League and various cricket clubs and note that the provision of financial support will be managed through Council’s annual budget processes; 1.2. request that the Australian Football League/Clubs and State Government each contribute no less than any amount that may be provided by Council noting that any allocation by the Council may be conditional upon such commitments being provided by the Australian Football League/Clubs and State Government; and 1.3. in relation to the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve: 1.3.1. rescind all previous resolutions relating to redevelopment of the Reserve, including those relating to the old grandstand; Page 2 of 40

1.3.2. contribute no more than $2 million capital funds towards the redevelopment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve (inclusive of all demolition and landscaping costs) subject to: 1.3.2.1. community access to the facility to the satisfaction of the Council; 1.3.2.2. return of a significant proportion of the land, currently occupied by buildings and other structures, to parkland to the satisfaction of the Council; 1.3.2.3. approval by Council of any capital funding allocation during the Council’s annual budget processes (noting that $548,737 has been allocated in the 2005/2006 capital budget for the grandstand redevelopment); and 1.3.3. consult with the community on the three options proposed in the management report and recommend a preferred option to committee in early 2006; 1.3.4. obtain costings of the three options (refer to above); and 1.4. by instrument of delegation sealed by the Council pursuant to Section 98(1) of the Local Government Act 1989 to delegate to the Chief Executive, or the person from time to time acting in that position, its powers, duties and functions to negotiate and agree final terms and conditions of the proposed redevelopment detailed in paragraph 14 of the Management Report including the community access to the facility and the return of land to parkland.”

Siting Options

4. The following three alternative siting options (as indicated in the December report) for the new facilities were subject to community consultation (see consultation section):

4.1. Option 1: locating the facilities at the eastern end of the Reserve between the Oval and the North Melbourne Pool. This option provides the best opportunity for integrated use of the Pool and community facilities in the new development. (estimated cost $7.3M) (Attachment 1);

4.2. Option 2: locating the facilities on the southern corner of the Reserve (estimated cost $7.3M) (Attachment 2); and

4.3. Option 3: locating the facilities on the southern corner linked with a renovated grandstand (estimated cost including retaining and renovating the grandstand $9M) (Attachment 3).

5. All the options propose that the existing poor standard football club buildings and other structures on the Reserve be removed (with the exception of the grandstand in Option 3) and that much of the western and southern sides of the Reserve (of about 0.6 hectare) be returned to parkland, be landscaped and made available for passive recreational use.

Grandstand

6. The old grandstand on the Reserve has not been used by spectators for some years, is in very poor condition and most of it has been closed to public access due to safety concerns. The North has indicated that it would have no operational use for the grandstand were it to be retained and refurbished. The opportunity to remove all buildings at the western end of the reserve (including the grandstand) would allow for the creation of a large contiguous area of parkland within the North Melbourne area. See Consultation section for community views on whether the grandstand should be retained or removed.

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7. The Grandstand’s heritage significance was assessed in December 1998 by Allom Lovell & Associates, heritage consultants, who advised that it had local historical significance and technological and aesthetic interest. Council again recently engaged Lovell Chen & Associates to update their original assessment. In summary, this latter assessment advises that “on balance, from a heritage perspective, retention of the grandstand is preferred and there does not appear to be any physical reason which would require demolition. Additionally, the costs of repairs do not appear to be unexpectedly high at this stage. However, in the broader context of redeveloping the ground, there may be a greater benefit which would accrue to the ground which may involve demolition. If such benefits were seen to outweigh the contribution made by the grandstand then demolition may be an acceptable option”. (See Attachment 4 for full report – “Revised Cultural and Heritage Assessment of the Grandstand”). Retention of the grandstand would require refurbishment at an initial estimated cost of $1.7million.

Relation to Council Policy

8. Strategic Objective 3 – Inclusive and Engaging City of Melbourne:

"3.3. Deliver and provide access to facilities and services to support city residents, visitors and workers: 3.3.01. Plan for the changing needs of residents, local and international students, visitors, workers and businesses in the city; 3.3.03. Improve community health and wellbeing by increasing participation in sporting leisure and recreation activities and implementing the City Health and Active Melbourne Strategy; 3.3.04. Contribute to the development of sporting and recreational facilities and investigate the feasibility of communal facilities in Docklands in accordance with Council’s ‘Partnership Funding Principles for new sports facilities in parklands’; 3.4. Promote, celebrate and further develop the City of Melbourne as a culturally rich capital city that encompasses its key strengths in art and sport: 3.4.05. Promote and further develop Melbourne as a sporting capital by delivering the Active Melbourne and National and International Sports Marketing Policy programs.”

Consultation

9. Consultation in rela tion to the three options as requested by Council resolution of 13 December 2005 comprised the following:

9.1. a meeting was held with representatives from the North & West Melbourne Association on 20 December 2005. Subsequent to that meeting the North & West Melbourne Association advised that it is not satisfied with the consultation process, especially that the timelines have been too short and that the detail of the designs were not yet available. The Association has not formally expressed a view on which site option it prefers; and

9.2. a public meeting held at the North Melbourne Pool on 24 January 2006. The meeting was advertised in the Melbourne Leader and Moonee Valley Leader and listed on the City of Melbourne’s website. Also, individual invitation letters were sent to a range of representative organisations, including the North & West Melbourne Association, Errol Street Traders Association, four local primary schools and the Kangaroos Football and North Melbourne Cricket Clubs. Issues discussed at the meeting related to the consultation process, information on the detailed design, the proposed community access, management arrangements and whether or not the grandstand should be retained. (See Attachment 5 for further details of the public meeting).

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10. The National Trust has advised Council that it believes the grandstand should be retained.

11. Council officers have also had preliminary discussions on the proposals with representatives from the AFL, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Sport and Recreation , who are all supportive of Option 1.

Finance

12. Council resolved in relation to the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve to:

". . . 1.3.2. contribute no more than $2 million capital funds towards the redevelopment of the Reserve (inclusive of all demolition and landscaping costs subject to: 1.3.2.1. community access to the facility to the satisfaction of the Council; 1.3.2.2. return of a significant proportion of the land, currently occupied by buildings and other structures, to parkland to the satisfaction of the Council; 1.3.2.3. approval by Council of any capital funding allocation during the Council’s annual budget processes (noting that $548,737 has been allocated in the 2005/2006 capital budget for the grandstand redevelopment). . “

Legal

13. The matters detailed within the report are within the functions and powers of Council under the Local Government Act 1989. Legal advice will be provided, where necessary, in relation to the redevelopment.

Sustainability

14. It is anticipated that the redevelopment will result in up to 0.6 hectare of currently occupied land to be returned to parkland. The redevelopment would be designed to substantially improve the aesthetic presentation of the buildings and provide the opportunity to enhance the overall appearance of the park. The design will ensure that the community will have greater access to sporting and recreational facilities thus supporting Council’s Active Melbourne program.

Next Steps

15. The next stage of the redevelopment will involve finalising the layout and detailed design of the proposed facility at the preferred site. This will involve extensive consultation with the community (including the North and West Melbourne Association) and local schools. This consultation is required to ensure that the facilities are designed to meet community and school requirements, as well as those of the Kangaroos Football Club.

16. Other matters that will be progressed simultaneously with the detailed design include developing a landscape plan for the site of the existing buildings, developing arrangements to allow community access to the facilities, and proposed lease conditions. Arrangements for the ongoing maintenance of the new facilities will also be negotiated.

17. Following preparation of the detailed plans, an application will be submitted for a planning permit (giving community another opportunity to provide input).

18. It is envisioned that a further update on this project will be provided to Committee in June 2006.

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Background

19. Melbourne is renowned for being the sporting capital of . A major part of this reputation and image is generated by the Australian Football League (AFL). The City of Melbourne has a significant part to play and contribution to the maintenance of the facilities is part of our responsibility.

20. The AFL and State Government have developed a Victorian AFL Club Facilities Funding Program to assist Victorian AFL clubs to develop their training and administrative facilities. The program proposes a four (4) way funding arrangement involving the AFL, State Government, local government and individual clubs. This funding arrangement will require the City of Melbourne to consider financial contributions in the order of $1.5M to $2M for each of the three locations of AFL clubs on land managed by the City of Melbourne, ie. Kangaroos, Carlton and Richmond. Council’s financial contribution will be matched, or exceeded by the AFL and State Government thus providing a significant overall gain to the constituents of Melbourne.

21. Council is Committee of Management for North Melbourne Recreation Reserve and consequently manages the lease held by the Kangaroos Football Club. The facilities are substandard and in need of redevelopment. The level of investment required to provide these facilities will be substantial. Council approved in February 2001, Partnership Funding Principles for new Sports Facilities in Parkland which provides the framework for Council’s investment in such facilities.

22. All redevelopment proposals would be required to be subject to full community consultation and approval through the normal statutory planning process. Any future commitment for funding (both quantum and timing) would be subject to Council’s normal budget process.

23. The Kangaroos Football Club and Council have discussed a number of proposals to redevelop the Club’s facilities in recent years. The current proposal involves the provision of the administration space, training facilities, and an associated indoor basketball court. Meeting spaces and the basketball court could also be made available for general public use. It is not proposed to incorporate a new pool in the facilities as the North Melbourne Council Pool should be able to meet this requirement (especially if the new Club facilities were located close to the Pool).

24. Council has assisted the Kangaroos Football Club with their redevelopment application submissions to the AFL, particularly with the preparation of designs. External advice in relation to technical, feasibility and opportunity options has also been sought from an experienced recreation consultant (SGL Consulting Group). No commitments to support any future capital developments outside Council’s normal budge process have been given. The Club has been advised that the normal Council approvals process would be required in addition to any process being conducted by the AFL and State Government.

Attachments: 1. Kangaroos Club Option 1 2. Kangaroos Club Option 2 3. Kangaroos Club Option 3 4. Revised Cultural and Heritage Assessment of the NMFC Grandstand 5. Details of the Public Meeting held on 24 January 2006 5 Page 6 of 40 Attachment 1 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006 Kangaroos Club Option 1

1 Page 7 of 40 Attachment 2 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006 Kangaroos Club Option 2

1 Page 8 of 40 Attachment 3 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006 Kangaroos Club Option 3

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REVISED CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ASSESSMENT OF THE

NORTH MELBOURNE RECREATION RESERVE GRANDSTAND

Arden Street, North Melbourne

Prepared for

Parks and Gardens Division City of Melbourne

by

Lovell Chen Architects & Heritage Consultants 35 Little Bourke Street MELBOURNE 3000

in association with

Mark Hodkinson

BE(Civil), Grad Dip Struct Comps, CPEng, MIE(Aust), RPEQ, RBP, M.ICOMOS and Member AusHeritage Consulting Structural Engineer 624 Rathdowne Street CARLTON NORTH 3054

January 2006

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background and Brief This report has been commissioned by the City of Melbourne to update and expand upon the 1999 Allom Lovell & Associates, Cultural and Heritage Assessment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve Grandstand. The City of Melbourne is currently investigating options for the future of the grandstand, as part of a general upgrade of the facilities at the and also in the context of the return of the Kangaroos (formerly North Melbourne) Football Club to the site. Presently the City of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Victorian State Government, the AFL and the Kangaroos Football Club are working to develop new facilities at the ground for the Club. In this regard there are several options planned for redevelopment which variously involve demolition or retention of the grandstand. This report re-appraises the cultural heritage significance of the grandstand and includes the results of a current structural assessment.

1.2 Location The North Melbourne Recreation Reserve is located on a wedge-shaped site bounded by Arden Street, Fogarty Street and Macaulay Road, North Melbourne. The grandstand is located at the south-west corner of the site, near the corner of Arden and Fogarty Streets.

1.3 Heritage Listings The grandstand is not included on the Victorian Heritage Register or the Register of the National Estate, nor is it classified by the National Trust of Victoria (Australia). The grandstand is not included in the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay of the Melbourne Planning Scheme, and was not identified as a place of significance in the North and West Melbourne Conservation Study prepared by Graeme Butler (1983).

Figure 1 Location Plan: North Melbourne Recreation Reserve Source: Streetdirectory.com.au

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2.0 Historical Context

2.1 The Rise of Football in Melbourne The North Melbourne Recreation Reserve is one of a number of inner-suburban sporting facilities which are distinguished by their association with Australian Football League, formerly the Victorian Football League, teams. Although most of Melbourne’s sports ovals are shared by cricket and football clubs, the construction of grandstands and other infrastructure has usually occurred in response to the growing support for Australian Rules Football rather than the needs of local cricket clubs. The game of Australian Rules Football had developed from the late 1850s as a winter activity for cricketers. By the late 1860s, local competitions were being played, although regular football venues were not established until the late 1870s, coinciding with the introduction of the Saturday half-holiday and the free time that brought to workers. As Michael Cannon describes: Immediately they finished work at 1p.m., a few employers but tens of thousands of young ‘clerks, shopmen, bagmen, mechanics, larrikins, betting men, publicans, barmaids, working-girls, and the half-world’ swarmed to the sports arenas on foot and by train...1

By the 1880s, watching local the football match was entrenched as a winter Saturday afternoon activity, and football clubs soon became social hubs of the inner suburbs, with teams inspiring great loyalty and emotion. To be a boy growing up meant defending one’s team in the schoolyard, playing in the street after school, and attending the games with one’s father on Saturdays. Football was the ideal game for the working class inner suburbs: it was cheap, physical, male- oriented and capable of founding strong bonds. Regular football competitions began in earnest in 1877, with the formation of the Victorian Football Association (VFA), of which North Melbourne was a founding member. In 1896, the Victorian Football League (VFL) was formed by a faction of the VFA, and soon established itself as the premier football league in Melbourne. By 1908, ten clubs had joined the League, but it was not until 1925 that the twelve-team complement which characterised the VFL until the late 1980s was formed. For both VFL and VFA clubs, the provision of spectator accommodation has always been integral to the history of the club. The simplest and most common means of providing spectator viewing areas was by building raised earth embankments, which were often later converted to asphalted or concreted terraces.2 These were usually uncovered, although simple, framed shelters were sometimes erected later, as were rows of seats. Although providing grandstand accommodation was costly for clubs, without it, supporters were turned away and potential revenue lost. Grounds which did not offer grandstand facilities were thus at a distinct financial disadvantage. The popularity of football in Melbourne meant, however, that even by the early 1900s, spectators were being turned away from grounds such as Fitzroy’s , which had had a grandstand since 1888.3 In this sense, teams such as Carlton, based at , were at a distinct advantage because their grounds offered plenty of room for expansion.

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2.2 North Melbourne Recreation Reserve and North Melbourne Football Club This general historical and social context forms the background to the construction of the second grandstand at North Melbourne Recreation Reserve in 1928. North Melbourne Football Club was formed in 1869.4 The club’s early matches were played at Royal Park, near the present site of the Melbourne Zoo.5 Prior to the commencement of the 1876 season, North Melbourne amalgamated with Albert Park Football Club, the partnership known as “Albert Park cum North Melbourne”. This arrangement lasted only a year, and was dominated by North Melbourne.6 North Melbourne re-emerged as Hotham Football Club in 1877, named after its local municipality.7 In 1877, North Melbourne was one of eight teams to join the newly-created Victoria Football Association (VFA).8 The following year, the club was granted the use of the Madeline Street playing ground, near the present site of Newman College at the north end of Swanston Street, which had previously been used by .9 In 1882, the Hotham Cricket Ground, as it was then known, became the joint home ground of the Hotham Football Club and the Hotham Cricket Club, the clubs having amalgamated to effect improvements to the ground. The first game of Australian Rules football ever played at the ground took place on 29 April 1882, when Hotham defeated Royal Park.10 In 1885, the ground became permanently reserved to the Crown.11 The clubs regained their original names when, on 23 March 1888, seven months after the Town of Hotham became the Town of North Melbourne.12 The late 1890s saw some tension over the sharing of the ground by the football and cricket clubs, a common occurrence at most grounds. The use of the cricket pavilion by a visiting football team caused a dispute which ended up in court, with the ruling that since the ground was on Crown land, it was illegal to fence off any part of it for the benefit of either party.13 In 1896, when eight VFA teams branched off to form the rival VFL, the North Melbourne Football Club was not included in the new league.14 In 1906, one year prior to North Melbourne’s second attempt to join the VFL, the ground’s first grandstand was built on the Fogarty Street side of the ground, adjacent to the west end of the present stand, at a reputed cost of £850.15 Remnants of this stand, the concrete players’ race and the base of one of the external staircases, remain in the terraced area. The players’ race is still connects the players’ dressing rooms in the Football Club administration building with the oval. The pavilion was demolished to make way for the 1928 stand. By mid-1909, the control of the Recreation Reserve had shifted to the Parks and Gardens Committee of the Melbourne City Council.16 The following year, plans for a new grandstand, to cost £1,000, had been drawn up by the Council’s Parks and Gardens committee’s Councillor J H Gardiner. However, despite the popularity of the club, it was deemed that too few finals games were scheduled for the ground to warrant the construction of another stand.17 In 1921, North Melbourne amalgamated with Essendon in order to try again at admission to the VFL, a move which led to the temporary expulsion of North Melbourne from the VFA.18 The had previously played at the East Melbourne ground at Jolimont, but this site had been acquired by Victorian Railways, making the ground unavailable for use.

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However, the terms of the Crown grant allowed the use of the ground only for North Melbourne’s citizens, not Essendon’s. This prompted Essendon being granted its own ground in Napier Street, Essendon, and the re-formed North Melbourne’s return, the following season, to Arden Street.19 In 1922, management of the ground was transferred from the Melbourne City Council to the North Melbourne Football and Cricket Clubs. Improvements to the ground that year, made in an attempt to increase revenue, included the installation of hot showers in the change rooms.20 In early 1925, North Melbourne was finally admitted to the VFL, with Hawthorn and Footscray, one of the last three clubs to join.21 The invitation to join the VFL came at a time when local support for the club was at an all-time high, although, ironically, the club’s first decade in the League brought little success on the field; North Melbourne’s first finals appearance not occurring until l945.22 The move to the VFL, however, in part prompted further upgrading of facilities. Almost symbolic of the club’s new status as a member of the VFL was the construction of the present brick grandstand in 1928, with seating for 2,000 spectators.23 Located to the south-east of the existing 1906 stand, it was built on the site of the small timber pavilion, which was demolished, and another even smaller structure to the south-east which was apparently re-located elsewhere.24 The designer was H E Morton. The construction drawings for the building denote Morton as the Melbourne City Council’s ‘City Architect’, although the foundation stone and Morton’s own signature on the drawings refer to him as the ‘City Engineer’.25 The builder was J E Morison.26 The foundation stone reads as follows: NORTH MELBOURNE RECREATION RESERVE THIS TABLET WAS UNVEILED BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORD MAYOR OF MELBOURNE ALDERMAN SIR STEPHEN MORELL ON SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 1928 COMMITTEE 1927-28 COUNCILLOR DR KENT HUGHES, CHAIRMAN L. W. ABLEY REV. D. DALEY A. J. HARFORD J. T. EDMONDS C. W. LETTEY J. P. T. MORAN G. P. RUSSELL W. J. WOODBRIDGE R. ROUTLEY, J. C. CONNOLEY, SECRETARY TREASURER H. E. MORTON, J. C. MORISON, ENGINEER BUILDER Until the late 1960s, these two grandstands were the only major structures associated with the Recreation Reserve. Just as the construction of the 1928 grandstand followed the club’s admission to the VFL, the construction of the new administration building and Social Club followed the club’s return to Arden Street after one season spent at .27 Historical photographs show a number of other smaller structures on the site. An undated aerial photograph of the ground, probably from c.1970, shows the social club and administration buildings, the 1928 grandstand, and small shelters behind the eastern goals and on the Macaulay Street boundary.28 These shelters have now been demolished.

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Figure 2 The 1928 Grandstand at the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve. Source: Santa Caruso et al, Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 13.

The North Melbourne Football Club continued to use the site as its home ground until 1985, when the club began using the for its home matches. The mezzanine floor continued to be used by both the football and cricket clubs, with one area forming a small office space for the cricket club. Since 1991, the grandstand seating area has been fenced of due to the deterioration of the timber fabric. The 1998 AFL football season was the last time that the club played under the name North Melbourne. The name of the club was changed to the Kangaroos Football Club in 1999 as part of the AFL’s push to make the game more national.29

3.0 Physical Analysis

3.1 Description The North Melbourne Recreation Reserve Grandstand is a brick structure, with the enclosed part of the building being of solid red brick construction, and with the external walls in red face bricks laid in stretcher bond. The rear elevation, to the south-west, is approximately two-and-a-half storeys in height, and comprises an expanse of brickwork punctuated by large rectangular window and door openings at ground floor level. The openings sit between brick piers which divide the elevation into nine bays of equal width. Five windows have been added at the northern end to reflect the addition of the mezzanine floor (c.1940s). A strip of timber louvred ventilating panels runs along this elevation beneath the eaves line. Multi-paned, steel-framed windows with awning sashes sit beneath rendered lintels which run between shallow brick piers. Sills are bullnose profile bricks. Most of the ground floor window openings are screened with Cyclone wire panels. The two side elevations are similarly detailed, and characterised by their raked profile which reflects the tiered grandstand seating behind. The large gabled roof cantilevers from four central steel columns. The roof frame is formed by riveted steel trusses which are clad with corrugated iron. The building’s decoration is largely confined to the gable-ends, each of which feature raised panels and mouldings around a circular motif, and geometric raised panels

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Figure 3 The North Melbourne Grandstand (1928). Figure 4 South elevation.

Figure 5 North elevation. Figure 6 West (rear) elevation.

to the fascia on all elevations. The textured circular and triangular panels in the gables appear to be of pressed metal. A steel-framed triangular panel, probably originally glazed, sits between the top of the raked side wall and the gable-end. The front elevation, facing the oval, comprises a low brick wall supporting the lower end of the seating tiers. Small windows in this wall sit high in the internal wall of the rooms inside. The timber seating is reached via three timber staircases which lead to three aisles, which in turn divide the seating into three bays. At the rear of the seating area are a cricket scoreboard, media boxes and the lower walls of partly demolished spectator boxes. The ground between the grandstand and the low Cyclone wire fence which encircles the oval is raked, and divided into two areas, both terraced. Closest to the grandstand is a standing area with wide bitumen steps. Between this and the fence is a raked concrete area with fixed steel and timber seating. This spectator accommodation is divided in half by the concrete and cyclone wire players’ race, which connects the training area foyer with the oval.

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Accommodation within the building comprises clubroom and training facilities for both the cricket and football clubs, as well as some office space for the cricket club. The internal configuration of the building has been substantially altered. Original working drawings indicate two main spaces, the home club training room and social room, plus a number of auxiliary spaces including two committee rooms, bathroom facilities for players, men and women, an ambulance room, a kitchen and a bar.30 A timber-framed mezzanine floor, constructed c.1940s, is accessed by a timber staircase in the present gymnasium, and from the grandstand seating area via a short ramp. The mezzanine comprises two main players’ rooms, a small office and a kitchen and bathroom. This area was refurbished in the late 1960s. Internally, the surfaces and materials used are basic as is typical of similar sporting facilities. Most of the wall surfaces are painted brick, whilst some areas of the concrete floors are covered in vinyl or carpet. The walls of the mezzanine floor are timber panelled, and the floors of the main rooms carpeted. The raked underside of the grandstand seating area is clad in ripple iron, which forms the ceiling of some of the ground floor and mezzanine spaces. Suspended ceilings have been installed in spaces below the mezzanine. The present gymnasium ceiling and the adjoining side wall of the mezzanine area are clad in thin corrugated aluminium. The north-east wall of the gymnasium has been clad with full-length mirrors.

3.2 Condition and Structure: 1999 In 1999, the condition of the grandstand was described as Condition

Externally, the condition of the grandstand is variable. As noted in the 1987 report,31 the masonry structure and steel roof framing appear to be sound. The tiered timber flooring and seating, however, is in a state of deterioration. Little maintenance of this area has been carried out since the mid-1980s, particularly following the closure of the seating area in the early 1990s. Other external elements which have begun to deteriorate include the downpipes and most of the painted surfaces. The masonry of the structure is generally in good condition. There is a small amount of graffiti on the walls. There are a few broken windows on the rear elevation and most of the glazing is missing from the framed triangular panels on the side elevation.

Internally, maintenance appears to have been somewhat inconsistent across the building. For instance, there has been some recent repainting of the main rooms by the cricket club, but the overall poor condition of the bathroom areas reflects the high level of maintenance required as these areas, which contain some original or early fixtures, gradually deteriorate.

Intactness

Externally, the intactness of the grandstand is generally good. There is some external evidence of the ad hoc internal alterations which have been made over the years. Of these, the most substantial has been the addition of five windows (c.1940s) on the south-west elevation, added to serve the mezzanine level. Although steel-framed, the fenestration pattern does not match the existing windows. The patterned amber glazing (c.1960s) in some of the windows is

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particularly unsympathetic. Two additional door openings have been made in this wall. Large lights for to illuminate the oval are mounted along the ridge of the roof.

Internally, the present layout, as described above, is much altered and reflects the changing needs of the football and cricket clubs. With the exception of the bathrooms, most of the spaces have changed their function. The overall impression of the internal spaces is of a combination of surfaces and finishes in a variety of styles, reflecting the ad hoc development of the interior of the stand. Surface-mounted conduits and pipes run across most of the walls and ceilings, which will the suspended fluorescent lighting and other overhead beams bearing training equipment give the building a very utilitarian feel.

3.3 Structural Assessment 2006 3.3.1 Construction of the Grandstand The North Melbourne Grandstand was constructed in c1928 to a design prepared by the Melbourne City Council. The building is typical of many Grandstands constructed in the 1920’s in as far as it has a steel trussed roof, timber Grandstand Floor structure and face brickwork walls. In particular the construction of the North Melbourne Grandstand is very similar to the recently restored Coburg City Oval Grandstand which we have inspected. 3.3.2 Wall Construction The rear wall of the Grandstand is full height and is constructed of face brickwork with integral piers and what appears to be a reinforced concrete horizontal band beam located at the Grandstand Floor level. The window and door openings have a mixture of reinforced concrete and steel lintels. The end walls of the Grandstand follow the slope of the floor and continue above the floor level to form the balustrades. The end walls are capped with what appears to be reinforced concrete copings. The front brick wall of the Grandstand is constructed to the Grandstand Floor level and retains the mounded ground in front of the Grandstand. A timber and mesh balustrade runs along front of the Grandstand. 3.3. Roof The roof structure consists of three rectangular longitudinal steel Pratt Trusses spanning between the four RSJ columns located at the ends and third points of the building. Ten triangular steel Fink Trusses span from the rear wall and cantilever past the Pratt Trusses to support the roof overhang at the front of the Grandstand. All of the steelwork connections appear to be riveted or bolted and there was no welding evident. The corrugated iron roofing is supported via oregon rafters that span between the steel Fink Trusses. 3.3.4 Floors The Grandstand Floor structure appears to consist of sloping primary large section oregon joists that are either supported from the external and internal masonry walls or from the internal longitudinal beams. Horizontal secondary small section oregon joists are constructed above the primary joists to form the tiered seating levels. The internal mezzanine, which we understand was constructed in c.1940 appears to have a timber joisted floor structure, and the ground floors consist variously of timber floors and concrete slabs. 3.3.5 Stair and Landings

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The stairs and landings at the front of the Grandstand are constructed of timber. 3.3.6 Design of the Grandstand Although we have not sighted the original design computations it is probable that the Grandstand floor would have been designed in accordance with the 1923 City of Melbourne By-Laws which stipulated that ‘places of assembly’ be designed for a Live Load of 140 Lb per Sq Ft (6.7 KPa or 683 kg/m2). The current relevant Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 1170.1:2002 – Structural Design Actions – Part 1 : Permanent, imposed and other actions requires that Grandstands be designed for a Live Load of 5.0 KPa (510 kg/m2) or 3.6 KN (367 kg). Similarly it is probable that the roof would have been designed for a ‘horizontal wind pressure’ of 25 Lb per Sq Ft, or 1.2 KPa (122 kg/m2). The apparent Grandstand Floor structure seems to consist of fairly conventional construction. Although at first glance the roof structure may appear to be of a reasonably complex form the structure basically reduces to two truss types that carry various combinations of Dead, Live and Wind Loads. In the 1920’s structural steel design and construction was very advanced and had been for some time. The analysis of the roof structure would have been carried out using well established numerical or graphical methods, and the design of the roof structure would have been carried out via the permissible stress method in accordance with the plethora of text books that were available at the time, the steel manufacturers’ handbooks (viz BHP Handbook of Rolled Steel Sections 1924, Dorman, Long & Co Handbook for Constructional Engineers 1924, Carnegie Pocket Companion 1923, etc ), the City of Melbourne By-Laws and the British and Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards. Note that the permissible stress method of design was only recently superseded in 1988 as the recommended method of design by AS4100 – Steel Structures. 3.3.7 Findings of Inspection The January 2006 inspection of the Grandstand revealed that although the building is clearly in a ‘run-down’ state of repair, in general the structure of the Grandstand appears to be in a sound structural condition. Please note that access to all of the ground floor rooms was not provided at the time of our inspection. Specifically our inspection revealed the following - External Walls The inspection of the external walls of the Grandstand revealed: • Cracking and spalling of the concrete lintels of the rear wall as a result of the corrosion and exfoliation of the reinforcement of the lintels. • Cracking between the concrete copings and the end wall brickwork, probably as a result of differential movement between the concrete and the brickwork (brickwork ‘grows’ and concrete shrinks over time). • Cracking in the brickwork at the southern corner of the Grandstand due to what appears to be outward rotation of the end wall - at the junction of the southern end wall and the front wall. The cause of this cracking was not immediately obvious and access to the Ground Floor room at this corner was not provided. • Lateral dampness in the front wall as a result of the mounded earth along the front of the Grandstand. • Localised cracking in the brickwork of the rear and front walls. • Cracking in the concrete band beams that run along the front and rear of the Grandstand, probably as a result of long term shrinkage of the concrete.

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Internal Walls Our inspection of the internal walls of the building available for inspection revealed that although there is some localised cracking evident, the internal walls appear to be in sound structural condition. Roof Structure An inspection of the steel roof structure carried out from the upper Grandstand Floor level revealed that the original paint system has failed and that there is some minor pitting and surface rust evident along the lengths of the structural members able to be inspected. The oregon rafters appear to be in sound structural condition and given that the roofing appears to be of recent vintage it is probable that any defective rafters would have been noticed at the time of the re-roofing. It was also noted that the non-structural sheet metal fascias along the fronts and ends of the Grandstand have failed which may be allowing water to affect the supporting timber and steel framing. Ground Floor Structure Some areas of the Ground Floor timber floors have failed, most probably due to a lack of sub-floor floor ventilation. Grandstand Floor Structure Given that the Grandstand Floor structure is covered with strip flooring above and lined with a ripple-iron ceiling below the nature of the construction of the whole of the Grandstand Floor is not immediately obvious. Notwithstanding, where the flooring was missing at the front of the Grandstand the floor structure was able to be locally observed. From our experience with historic buildings it is unlikely that there would be any defects in the Grandstand Floor structure, apart from perhaps some minor rot caused by failure of the flooring. Stairs, Landings The timber stairs and landings along the front of the Grandstand are very dilapidated and are most probably beyond repair. Balustrade The timber and wire mesh balustrade along the front of the Grandstand is in need of restoration. Rectification Works In order to restore the structurally integrity of the Grandstand we would recommend that the following works be undertaken - • Replace with concrete or repair the Ground Floor timber floors that have failed. • Repair the concrete lintels. • Point-up the brickwork and concrete cracking. • Investigate the cracking at the southern corner. • Investigate the need to re-tank the front wall. • Investigate the condition of the Grandstand Floor joists where the flooring has rotted. • Make good the timber flooring and investigate the floor structure at these locations. • Re-paint the steel roof structure.

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• Repair the non-structural sheet metal fascias and investigate the structure covered by the same. • Renew the roof drainage system. • Replace the external stairs and landings. • Restore the front balustrade. Of the works listed above the major cost items are envisaged to be: • the re-painting of the steel roof structure that will entail the removal of the existing lead (?) based paint system and the scaffolding costs associated with gaining access to the roof structure. • the possible re-tanking of the front wall of the Grandstand which may involve the removal of the mound along the front of the Grandstand. • the repair the non-structural sheet metal fascias and the renewal of the roof drainage system which again will involve scaffolding. The other works listed above may be considered reasonably minor works. 3.3.8 Summary and Conclusion It would appear that little has changed in relation to the physical condition of the Grandstand between 1999 and 2006. Although the North Melbourne Grandstand is clearly in a ‘run-down’ state of repair, in general it appears to be in a sound structural condition. If appropriate remedial and restorative works were undertaken there should be no reason why the Grandstand could not continue to be used for its intended purpose.

4.0 Comparative Analysis Grandstands of the Victorian and early Edwardian eras were generally characterised by their timber construction and often ornate decoration, which was usually in keeping with the architectural fashion of the day. By the 1920s, however, much of the architectural pretension seen in earlier stands had been lost, and grandstand design became much more of an engineering exercise. This decade saw the beginning of an innovation which was to have a dramatic impact on grandstand design, namely the partly cantilevered roof.32 The more delicate character of grandstands built prior to the mid-1920s is due in part to their simply supported roofs, which required regularly spaced columns at the lower end of the seating. The engineering development of the cantilevered roof improved spectator viewing through the removal, or reduction, of the columns supporting the roof.33 Grandstands designed in the 1920s and early 1930s generally have heavy brick bases with lighter steel or timber superstructures. For the base, red face brickwork with simple rendered dressings was the preferred treatment. Windows were usually steel-framed with awning or hopper sashes, but timber-framed windows were also still in use, being mostly used for louvred openings. Roofs were almost invariably gabled, sometimes with one or more gablets on the front (oval) elevation. Gable-end decoration ranged from plain panelling to half-timbering, either relatively ornate in the Edwardian style, or simple and geometric. Ventilating ridge lanterns were also sometimes present. It is worth noting that somewhat retardataire designs with a strong Edwardian flavour persisted into the mid-1920s, by which time the types of decoration they incorporated had passed from use in other building types. The North Melbourne stand is one of the ‘second generation’ of inter-War stands, with its steel trussed gabled roof supported at only four points along its length. Other stands of this type are those at Princes Park, Coburg and Victoria Park (See

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below). In another respect, though, the roof at North Melbourne is less innovative, employing not welded joints, but bolted or riveted ones. The next generation of stands, such as those at , Hawthorn (1938) – which is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (H0890), - and the A F Showers Stand at Essendon (1939), had the structural expression which was absent in the late-1920s designs, the former incorporating a fully cantilevered roof.

4.1 Melbourne Football and Cricket Grandstands Of the grandstands at Melbourne grounds used by VFL and VFA clubs, those structures which are broadly contemporaneous with that at North Melbourne are discussed below. 4.4.1 R S Reynolds Stand, Windy Hill, Essendon History The Essendon Football Club was created in 1873, and the grandstand, now known as the R S Reynolds Stand, was constructed in 1922, after the Club moved from the East Melbourne Ground to Napier Street. The Essendon Council agreed to improve the facilities at the ground to VFL standards, which included, among other things, the construction of a new grandstand.34 The stand remained un-named for 28 years until 1950, when it was named the R S Reynolds Stand in honour of the Essendon and triple Brownlow Medallist.35 Physical Description This stand is similar in its base construction to the North Melbourne stand, being constructed of red brick; however it is faceted in plan form, the cantilevered roof structure appears to have been entirely re-built in recent years and the original seating replaced. While it is in fair condition, the historical integrity of the structure is low and it is devoid of decorative elements or features.

Figure 7 R S Reynolds Stand (1922), Windy Hill, Napier Street Essendon.

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Figure 8 R S Reynolds Stand, Windy Hill, photographed post 1950. Source: Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 187.

4.4.2 Kevin Murray Stand, , St Kilda History The was formed in 1873, but didn’t move to Junction Oval until it re-entered the VFA in 1886. The ground was considered one of the best in Melbourne, and hosted the VFL’s first grand final in 1898. The grandstand at Junction Oval was erected in 1925, and was originally known as the G P Newman Stand (in honour of a St Kilda cricketer). The stand was renamed the Kevin Murray Stand after the Fitzroy footballer who won the 1969 , because Fitzroy played its home games at the ground from 1970 until 1984.36 Physical Description The Kevin Murray Stand is similar to the North Melbourne Stand in its rectangular plan form and red brick construction; however, the roof form is distinctly different and gives the stand a more ornate appearance. The hipped roof with gablets is not cantilevered but is supported along the front by a series of eight timber posts. The roof structure is further emphasised by a small gable at each end of the front elevation, a panelled frieze and simple timber brackets. The half-timbered effect in the gables adds to the Edwardian characteristics of the stand.

Figure 9 Kevin Murray Stand (1925), Junction Oval. Source: Victoria Park Conservation Management Plan, p. 62.

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4.4.3 Grandstand, Cramer Street Oval, Preston History The Cramer Street Oval was used for both cricket matches and football games from 1882, but the Preston Football Club did not join the VFA until 1903. The brick grandstand at the Cramer Street Oval was built in 1925, to a cost of £3,500. The grandstand was extended in 1961, although the roof extension covered only half of the stand. A new cantilever roof covering the whole stand replaced the existing roof in the 1970s, and in 1977, a double-storey brick building for the social club was added onto the back of the grandstand.37 Physical Description This grandstand has been significantly altered by an extension, which approximately doubled its floor area, a new roof structure and additions to the rear. However, much of its character has been retained through the retention and replication of the wrought iron balustrade and the continuous use of red brick. The building, which has a rectangular plan form and steel skillion roof, has very few similarities with the North Melbourne grandstand.

Figure 10 Grandstand (1925), Cramer Street Oval, Preston.

Figure 11 Preston Grandstand 1926 and c. 2002. Source: Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 126.

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4.4.4 A R Glenn Stand, Gillon Oval (Brunswick Park), Brunswick History In 1865, the Brunswick Football Club was one of the earliest clubs to form in Melbourne. Brunswick joined the VFA in 1897, and the main grandstand at Brunswick Park was constructed in c. 1925. At the time, it was considered one of the best in the VFA. The stand was named the A R Glenn Stand in 1978 in honour of the Brunswick Football Club official and treasurer, Alfred Roy Glenn. The Brunswick Football club withdrew from the VFA in 1991, and the ground is now used by a VAFA club.38 Physical Description This rendered masonry grandstand is notably different to similar structures constructed in the same period; which were predominantly constructed of face red brick. The hipped roof with a large central gablet is unusually supported on posts, not cantilevered, and this more solid structural form is further emphasised by the strong symmetry of this rectangular building.

Figure 12 A R Glenn Stand (c. 1925), Gillon Oval, Brunswick.

Figure 13 Grandstand (1926), Lakeside Oval, South Melbourne Source: Victoria Park Conservation Management Plan, p. 64.

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4.4.5 Grandstand, Lakeside Oval, South Melbourne Cricket Ground History The South Melbourne Football Club was originally founded in 1864 as the Albert Park Club. South Melbourne played in the VFL until 1982, when it was moved to Sydney, becoming the . Early games were played at a number of local venues before the club moved to the Lakeside Oval in 1878. After a wooden pavilion at the ground, which was designed by William Elliott Wells in the 1870s, was destroyed by fire in 1910, the red brick grandstand was constructed in 1926. This stand, which was designed by prominent architects G W Glegg and Morrow, is now part of the Bob Jane Stadium, used by the South Melbourne Soccer Club.39 It is of interest that the Lakeside Oval grandstand, whilst incorporating roof lanterns and half-timbered gable-ends in the Edwardian style, is thought to be the first Melbourne grandstand to have a half-cantilevered roof, an innovation which allowed a clear view of the oval to at least half of the stand’s occupants. The South Melbourne Cricket and Football Grandstand is classified as a structure of State Significance by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) (File Number: B6652). Physical Description This grandstand has a faceted plan form and marks the innovative use of a cantilevered roof, whilst maintaining Edwardian architectural elements. The half- timbered gablets and timber roof lanterns are highly characteristic of the Edwardian period, and stylistic similarities can be seen between this structure and the non- cantilevered Kevin Murray Stand, St Kilda. Whilst constructed of red brick, this grandstand shares no other similarities with the smaller and architecturally less distinguished North Melbourne Grandstand.

4.4.6 N L Goss Stand, North Port Oval, Port Melbourne History

The Port Melbourne Football Club was founded in 1874, and was admitted to the VFL in 1886. The brick stand at the North Port Oval was constructed c. 1928, to a total cost of £8,000. It was opened by the Port Melbourne Mayor, and named the N L Goss Stand in honour of Norman Leslie Goss, secretary and president of the Port Melbourne Football Club.40 Physical Description This grandstand is remarkably similar to the North Melbourne Grandstand. It shares the same rectangular plan form, red brick construction, gabled roof form, riveted steel roof trusses, wire mesh balustrading (although this is now partially concealed by building sheet) and raised decorative panels to the fascia. However, the roof structure is not cantilevered, like the North Melbourne Grandstand, but is supported by six steel posts along the front elevation. Both grandstands have three symmetrically located flights of stairs; however, the North Melbourne Grandstand has retained what appear to be the original timber stairs, while steel stairs have been latterly installed at Port Melbourne. It should also be noted that the applied decoration of raised panels and mouldings around a circular motif to the gable ends at North Melbourne, are more refined than the half-timbered effect of the Port Melbourne gables.

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Figure 14 N L Goss Stand (c. 1928), North Port Oval, Port Melbourne.

Figure 15 N L Goss Stand, North Port Oval. Source: Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 122.

4.4.7 J C Ryder Stand, Victoria Park, Collingwood Cricket Ground History The Collingwood Football Club was founded in 1892 as a member of the VFA, and played its first football game at Victoria Park. In 1897, the club then became one of the founding members of the VFL. The Ryder Stand was erected in 1929 to seat 3,000 spectators, and was named for Collingwood cricketer, and Australian test captain Jack Ryder. It was constructed during the Depression years, through the use of Council funds and local unemployed men, and was designed by architects Peck & Kempter.41 Physical Description The setting of Victoria Park, which is almost fully enclosed by grandstands of various dates, is very similar to that of the Heatley Stand at North Carlton, with later structures built adjacent to it. The Ryder Stand is also of a similar scale and facetted plan form to the Heatley Stand. The grandstand appears to be constructed of a reinforced concrete frame with red brick infill panels between the concrete columns to the street façade; while this gives a similar appearance to other grandstands of the period, the construction method is unusual. The roof of

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Figure 16 J C Ryder Stand (1929), Victoria Park, Collingwood. Source: Victoria Park Conservation Management Plan, p. 65.

the Ryder Stand is cantilevered like the North Melbourne and Heatley stands; however, its simple skillion roof form contrasts with the more elaborate gabled roofs. The Ryder stand is in poor condition and various alterations have been made over the years. These alterations include the replacement of the external timber stairs with steel stairs and the addition of a coaches’ box just below the roof level. However, the Ryder stand is notable as one of the largest grandstands of the period and for its unusual construction.

4.4.8 Grandstand, City Oval, Coburg History The Grandstand at City Oval was constructed in 1925, soon after the club joined the VFA. The foundation stone for the stand was laid in August of that year, and the stand was opened for the 1926 football season.42 Physical Description The Coburg Grandstand is similar to the North Melbourne stand in form and materials. The architectural expression of a red brick ‘wedge’ supporting a cantilevered gabled roof is repeated here; however, in contrast with the applied decoration to the gables of the North Melbourne Grandstand, the Coburg Grandstand gable-ends are plain. The Coburg stand shares with its North Melbourne counterpart the distinction of remaining freestanding, with no later adjacent structures, and thus maintaining a stronger presence on its site. However, more extensive external alterations have been made to the Coburg Grandstand, including new fascia cladding and new clubrooms built projecting from the lower level and facing the oval.

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Figure 17 Grandstand (1925), City Oval, Coburg.

Figure 18 Coburg Grandstand. Source: Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 40.

4.4.9 Robert Heatley Stand, Princes Park (now Optus Oval), North Carlton History The Robert Heatley Stand was constructed in 1932, and named in honour of the chairman of the ground committee.43 Physical Description The Robert Heatley stand at Princes Park is similar in materials, form and architectural expression to that at North Melbourne, the rear elevation is extremely similar, but with twelve bays rather than nine. In plan, this stand is slightly more sophisticated with a facetted plan approximately parallel to the boundary line. Due to the later grandstands at the ground, however, the original physical context of the stand has been completely lost. The Heatley stand does not read as a separate entity, rather comprising just one part of the almost continuous stands which now surround this oval. Most of the south elevation and all of the north are obscured by later structures. The stand itself, too, has undergone extensions at the south end.

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Figure 19 Robert Heatley Stand (1932), Optus Oval, Carlton.

Figure 20 Robert Heatley Stand, Optus Oval. Similar design to North Melbourne, but with a facetted plan. Note additions in foreground. Source: Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 117.

4.4.10 Grandstands excluded from comparative analysis The Stand, , Richmond was erected in 1914 and extended in 1927 with the addition of new training quarters, social rooms and football committee accommodation for the club. While the date of the extensions fit within the timeframe of other stands compared here, the grandstand structure, including prominent cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals, predominantly dates from 1914.44 The John Gent Stand at Western (now Whitten) Oval, Footscray was constructed in 1929. It was originally built with a cantilevered roof featuring Edwardian detailing, including half-timbered gable-ends and a central roof lantern, in a similar manner

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to the grandstand at South Melbourne described above. However, in 1988 the Metropolitan Fire Brigade issued a summons to the Footscray Football Club regarding inadequate fire and safety precautions. The John Gent Stand was subsequently redeveloped in the early 1990s, including the addition of a third level, incorporating nine superboxes, a new roof and the opening of a gaming area.45 Apart from the red brick rear wall, the original design is virtually unrecognisable as a result of this extensive redevelopment. 4.4.11 Summary The North Melbourne Recreation Reserve grandstand dates from a transitional period in grandstand design. Whilst the composition and massing of the structure is similar to that of pre-WWI stands, its use of the half-cantilevered roof distinguishes it structurally. The conservative design harks back to the Edwardian era, and contrasts with the later dramatic expressions of advances in engineering which characterise grandstands such as that at Glenferrie Oval. There are nine extant grandstands built between 1922 and 1932 at grounds used by Melbourne VFL and VFA clubs, which are physically similar to the North Melbourne. Of the grandstands built during this period and described above, the most architecturally significant is the South Melbourne grandstand, because of the early utilisation of a cantilevered roof form and the high quality of its architectural details, particularly the gables and roof lanterns. In terms of overall design, the North Melbourne stand is most readily comparable to the stands at Port Melbourne, Princes Park and Coburg. Of these, the grandstand at Coburg appears to have been built to an almost identical design to that at North Melbourne. The Princes Park stand is faceted rather than rectangular in plan, and the roof of the Port Melbourne stand is not cantilevered.

Construction Plan Roof Windows Seating Alterations Condition

North Red brick Rectangular Gabled and Steel- Timber Minimal Roof and Melbourne with cantilevered framed seating windows – (1928) concrete poor. Brick (riveted lintels and structure – steel copings fair. trusses)

RS Red brick Facetted Skillion and Timber- Steel Roof Fair Reynolds with cantilevered framed and structure Stand, concrete timber replaced & Essendon lintels seating additions (1922) to rear

Kevin Red brick Rectangular Hipped with Timber- timber Addition to Fair Murray two gablets framed seating side Stand, St (riveted (north) Kilda steel (1925) trusses)

Grandstand, Red brick Rectangular Skillion and Timber- Plastic Extended, Fair-good Preston with cantilevered framed and steel roof (1925) concrete seating structure lintels replaced and

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additions to rear

AR Glenn Rendered Rectangular Hipped with Timber- Timber Minimal Fair - good Stand, masonry central framed seating Brunswick gablet (only (c.1925) (riveted half steel extant) trusses)

Grandstand, Red brick Faceted Hipped and Steel- Timber Minimal Poor South cantilevered framed seating Melbourne with gablets (1926) to the sides and south front (riveted steel trusses)

NL Goss Red brick Rectangular Gabled Steel- Timber Minimal Fair - good Stand, Port with (riveted framed seating Melbourne concrete steel (c.1928) copings trusses)

JC Ryder Red brick Faceted Skillion and Timber- Not Various Poor Stand, with cantilevered framed original alterations Collingwood concrete to fabric (1929) piers

Grandstand, Red brick Rectangular Gabled and Steel- Timber Some Fair Coburg with cantilevered framed seating fabric (1925) concrete (riveted (only altered and copings steel one third new club trusses) extant) rooms at lower level

Robert Red brick Faceted Gabled and Steel- Timber Various Fair Heatley with cantilevered framed seating alterations Stand, concrete (riveted to fabric North lintels and steel and Carlton copings trusses) addition to (1932) north end

5.0 Statement of Significance The North Melbourne Recreation Reserve Grandstand is of local historical significance and technological and aesthetic interest. Historically, the North Melbourne ground has been associated with the North Melbourne Cricket and Football Clubs since the late nineteenth century, and as such as been a focus for the local community, and, as a Victorian Football League home ground until 1985. The grandstand has been associated with the Football Club

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since 1928 and dates from a crucial period in the history of the North Melbourne Football Club, namely the years immediately following its entry into the VFL. Technologically, the structure demonstrates a relatively early use of a half- cantilevered steel-trussed roof, a type which was used in the 1920s and early 1930s, but had been superseded by fully cantilevered roofs by the late 1930s. Aesthetically, the grandstand is a conservatively-designed engineering structure which is not architecturally distinguished. Compared with other Melbourne grandstands of the period, in particular those associated with League football clubs, the stand is remarkably externally intact, its inter-War character not having been obscured by extensions or signage. The physical presence of the grandstand is enhanced by it remaining a freestanding element on the site, visible from all sides. Unlike other examples, it is highly intact and has few alterations. While run-down and shabby, the grandstand is structurally sound.

6.0 Overall Assessment The historical significance of the grandstand is not especially distinguished, rather it is demonstrative of the continued evolution of the North Melbourne Football Club, its penultimate settling at the Arden Street ground and the progressive need to improve infrastructure to attract spectators. The same could be said of grandstands at other grounds and as such its history, in the wider context of League football, is not unique. It is representative of the waves of development at local football grounds in response to changing spectator or administrative expectations. At North Melbourne it is the only tangible evidence of the history and activities of the North Melbourne Football Club at this time and for decades afterwards. Compared with other grandstands at similar grounds, it lacks the architectural expressions of several. However, it was designed more as an engineered structure rather than a designed building and this does not necessarily diminish its aesthetic significance per se. Nevertheless it is fair to say that it has minimal aesthetic significance at any level. Technologically it demonstrates the use of a half-cantilevered steel-trussed roof which was common in the 1920s. This type of construction had been advanced for some time and the North Melbourne example is neither trendsetting nor ground breaking in its design. Rather it is typical of well-established numerical and graphical methods of roof design typically documented in the textbooks of the day. As an example of its type it has a high degree of integrity and is structurally sound but run down. Socially, the grandstand has some local significance in relation to spectator sport in the broad context of Australian Rules Football. While the level of social significance has yet to be tested amongst the football fraternity, any level of significance would be commensurate with that related to many other grandstands at similar grounds. Overall there is nothing outstanding nor unique in relation to the North Melbourne grandstand. Rather in some ways (historical and social) its significance is typical of that which surrounds many other structures at local sporting facilities and which are typically included in the Heritage Overlay. In this regard, any objective review would probably put it over, possibly just over, the threshold of significance as would warrant inclusion in a Heritage Overlay. It would reasonably meet the requirements of Australian Heritage Commission criteria:

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D2:Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of the range of human activities in the local environment (including way of life, custom, process, land-use, function, design or technique).

G1: Importance as a place highly valued by a community for reasons of religious, spiritual, symbolic, cultural, education, educational, or social associations (i.e. North Melbourne and the football fraternity). These criteria, whilst developed with regard to the Register of the National Estate, are used to assess the significance of local places with regard to including them in a Heritage Overlay.i In summary, the grandstand has a degree of local historical and social significance which would support its retention. This is not outstanding but is nevertheless sufficient to meet the usual thresholds used when assessing places of local significance such as would occur as a consequence of undertaking a municipal heritage study. In this regard the grandstand is worthy of retention. While it has little aesthetic or technological significance the grandstand is not structurally unsound but is run-down. An assessment of remediation works required, and therefore the costs, do not appear to be major or beyond what might typically be expected of structures of this type and age. On balance, from a heritage perspective, retention of the grandstand is preferred and there does not appear to be any physical reason which would require demolition. Additionally, the costs of repairs do not appear to be unexpectedly high at this stage. However, in the broader context of redeveloping the ground, there may be a greater benefit which would accrue to the ground which may involve demolition. If such benefits were seen to outweigh the contribution made by the grandstand then demolition may be an acceptable option.

i VPP Practice Note, 1999.

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6.0 Bibliography

Books Cannon, Michael. Life in the Cities: Australia In The Victorian Age: 3. West Melbourne, 1975. Caruso, Santo et al. Football Grounds of Melbourne, Pennon Publishing, Melbourne, 2002. Dowling, Gerard. The North Story: The History of the North Melbourne Football Club. Caringbah (NSW), 1997. Feldman, Jules et al. The Point of It All: The Story of St Kilda Football Club. Caringbah (NSW), 1992. Frost, Lionel. The Old Dark Navy Blues: A History of the Carlton Football Club. St Leonards (NSW), 1998. Gordon, Harry. The Hard Way: The Story of the . Paddington, (NSW), 1990. Hanson, Brian. Tigerland: The History of the from 1885. Burwood (Vic), 1992. Hutchinson, Garrie et al (eds.). Roar of the Lions: Fitzroy Remembered 1883-1986. Port Melbourne, 1996. Lack, John et al. A History of the Footscray Football Club: Unleashed. Footscray (Vic), 1996. Maplestone, Michael. Flying Higher: History of the Essendon Football Club 1872- 1994. Melbourne, 1994. Stremski, Richard. Kill For Collingwood. North Sydney, 1986.

Reports Bick, David. South Melbourne Cricket Ground Grandstand: Submission Supporting Addition to the Historic Buildings Register by the City of Port Phillip (South Melbourne Division). September 1994 Butler, Graeme. North and West Melbourne Conservation Study. 1983. Whitford & Peck Ltd. Assessment of the Physical/Structural Status of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve. August 1987.

Drawings City of Melbourne. Proposed Grandstand for North Melbourne Cricket Ground. Set of five construction drawings. Dated 24 March 1927.

Miscellaneous National Trust of Australia (Victoria). File No. 6652: South Melbourne Cricket Ground Grandstand. National Trust of Australia (Victoria). Unnumbered File: Grandstands.

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Endnotes

1 ‘Manly Sports’, The Vagabond Papers, quoted in Michael Cannon. Life in the Cities: Australia In The Victorian Age: 3. West Melbourne, 1975. p 254.

2 L. Frost. The Old Dark Navy Blues: A History of the Carlton Football Club. St Leonards (NSW), 1998. pp 60-61.

3 Ibid. p 61.

4 G. Dowling. The North Story: The History of the North Melbourne Football Club. Caringbah (NSW), 1997. p 21.

5 Ibid. p 21.

6 Ibid. p 26.

7 Ibid. p 28.

8 Ibid. p 32.

9 Ibid. p 32.

10 Ibid. pp 32-33

11 Ibid. p 35.

12 Ibid. p 34.

13 Ibid. pp 37-38.

14 www.kangaroos.com.au

15 G. Dowling. Op. cit. p 46.

16 Ibid. p 49.

17 Ibid. p 58.

18 Ibid. p 58, and S. Caruso et al, Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 12.

19 G. Dowling. Op. cit. pp 65-66.

20 Ibid. p 66.

21 G. Dowling. Op. cit. p 73.

22 Ibid. pp 79, 340.

23 Ibid. p 79.

24 City of Melbourne. Proposed Grandstand for North Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sheet No. 5 of five construction drawings. Dated 24 March 1927.

25 City of Melbourne. Proposed Grandstand for North Melbourne Cricket Ground. Set of five construction drawings. Dated 24 March 1927.

26 Foundation Stone. North Melbourne Recreation Reserve Grandstand.

27 G. Dowling. Op. cit. pp 135-136.

28 Ibid. pp 142-143.

29 www.kangaroos.com.au

30 City of Melbourne. Proposed Grandstand for North Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sheet No. 1 of five construction drawings. Dated 24 March 1927.

26 Lovell Chen Page 37 of 40 North Melbourne Grandstand

31 Whitford & Peck Ltd. Assessment of the Physical/Structural Status of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve. August 1987.

32 D. Bick. South Melbourne Cricket Ground Grandstand: Submission Supporting Addition to the Historic Buildings Register by the City of Port Phillip (South Melbourne Division). September 1994.

33 Allom Lovell & Associates, Victoria Park, Abbotsford, Conservation Management Plan, p. 63.

34 M. Maplestone, Flying Higher: History of the Essendon Football Club 1872-1994, p. 96.

35 S. Caruso et al, Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 180.

36 Ibid. p. 75.

37 Ibid. p. 124.

38 Ibid. p. 21.

39 Ibid., p. 84, and Allom Lovell & Associates, Victoria Park, Abbotsford, Conservation Management Plan, p. 57.

40 S. Caruso et al, Op.cit., p. 119 and www.pmfc.com.au.

41 S. Caruso et al, Op. cit, p. 154, and Allom Lovell & Associates, Op. cit., Appendix B, p. B12.

42 S. Caruso et al, Football Grounds of Melbourne, p. 39.

43 Ibid. pp. 113-114.

44 Ibid. p. 128, and www.richmondfc.com.au

45 J. Lack, et al. A History of the Footscray Football Club: Unleashed. Footscray (Vic), 1996. pp 268-270.

Lovell Chen 27 Page 38 of 40 Attachment 5 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006

NORTH MELBOURNE RECREATION RESERVE (NMRR) REDEVELOPMENT

Community Meeting: Tuesday 24 January, 5.30pm, North Melbourne Pool

CHAIR: Cr Brian Shanahan

PARKS & RECREATION REPRESENTATIVE: Graham Porteous, Manager Sport and Recreation and Business Support

PARTICIPANTS: Councillors Brindley, Clarke and Wilson, Mr Geoff Walsh (Kangaroos Football Club), Dale Stewart and Joan O’Grady (Parks & Recreation officers) and approximately 57 community representatives and members of the public

APOLOGY: Ian Harris (Group Manager, Parks and Recreation)

PROGRAM: · Cr Shanahan chaired the meeting. · Cr Shanahan outlined the 3 options for the redevelopment of the NMRR which Council had considered at its December 2005 meeting. It was noted that Option 1 was Council’s preferred option and the only option being considered for funding by all funding parties (Council, AFL, State Government and Kangaroos Football Club). · Graham Porteous advised that feedback from the meeting would be included in a report to Council on 14 February 2006 on the reserve redevelopment. · Cr Shanahan invited questions and comments from the floor. Opportunities for provision of further feedback in writing and a commitment to distribution of meeting notes to all participants who left contact details was provided.

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION ISSUES: Major issues raised: · Process (including consultation): - the community indicated a lack of involvement in the process and in particular consultation to date. It was confirmed that further involvement and consultation opportunities will be available when working through detailed design. · Concepts & Design– Council support of Option 1 when Options 2 and 3 lack the same detailed information. It was confirmed that further detailed design is required, and a transparent process in accordance with Council and State Government requirements will be adopted. It was noted that there was some support for the facility linkage aspect of the redevelopment. · Community facilities – Concerns raised over the provision of fee-paying facilities, the amount of community access, the need for no / low cost options to be included and ongoing management model and operational costs. It was noted that further negotiation and consultation is required to ensure the best community outcome. · Management – the uncertainty of future management, leasing, licensing and ongoing operating arrangements, including terms and conditions. It was noted that this is still subject to discussion and negotiation between a number of parties. · Grandstand – costing of renovation to current standards queried, concern on how grandstand could deteriorate to its current condition raised. Retention not supported by Kangaroos or Council. Council to provide further detailed information into current grandstand condition and cost implications.

1 Page 39 of 40 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006

FINANCE ATTACHMENT

NORTH MELBOURNE RECREATION RESERVE REDEVELOPMENT – INITIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Funding of $548,737 has been included in the 2005/06 budget for the North Melbourne Grandstand Redevelopment. Any further funding will be subject to normal budget processes. There are no other carry forward funds available to the project.

Joe Groher Manager Financial Services

Page 40 of 40 Agenda Item 5.1 Community and Culture Committee 14 February 2006

LEGAL ATTACHMENT

NORTH MELBOURNE RECREATION RESERVE REDEVELOPMENT – INITIAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

This report seeks approval of the redevelopment of the North Melbourne Recreation Reserve consistent with the concept proposed in the preferred option, Option 1. The report also requests that further consultation be undertaken in relation to the development of the detailed plans under Option 1.

The matters detailed in this report are within the functions and powers of the Council under the Local Government Act 1989 (Act).

Section 3C(1) of the Act provides that:

“The primary objective of a Council is to endeavour to achieve the best outcomes for the local community having regard to the long term and cumulative effects of decisions.”

Section 3C(2) of the Act provides that in seeking to achieve its primary objective the Council must have regard to facilitating objectives including:

"(c) to improve the overall quality of life of people in the local community;

(e) to ensure that services and facilities provided by the Council are accessible and equitable;”

Section 3E of the Act provides that the functions of a Council include:

"(a) advocating and promoting proposals which are in the best interests of the local community;

(b) planning for and providing services and facilities for the local community;

(c) providing and maintaining community infrastructure in the municipal district;”

Legal advice will be provided, where necessary, in relation to the redevelopment.

Instrument of Delegation On 26 April 2005 the Council resolved to delegate to the Community and Culture Committee the powers, duties and functions directly relating to Recreation Strategies and Sports and Community Grants.

Alison Lyon Manager Legal & Governance