Historic Cultural Heritage Assessment
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PARWAN STATION PRECINCT STRUCTURE PLAN Sponsored by Victorian Planning Authority Date 7th October 2020 Prepared by Heritage Advisors Noah Tyler & Stewart Thomson PO Box 776 Beacons!eld, VIC 3807 IImageImage © 22020020 CCNESNES // AAirbusiirrbuss www.aatardis.com.au © 22019019 GGoogleooglle ASSESSMENT HERITAGE CULTURAL HISTORIC Parwan Station Precinct Structure Plan Historic Cultural Heritage Assessment Large Activity Size (r.81 Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018) Assessment Type Historic Cultural Heritage Assessment Victorian Planning Authority Sponsor (ABN 58 651 383 439) Noah Tyler & Stewart Thomson Heritage Advisors Archaeology At Tardis Pty Ltd Authors Noah Tyler Completed 7th October 2020 The intellectual property within this report and the primary research material therein are the property of Archaeology At Tardis Pty Ltd and may NOT be used, reproduced or distributed in any way without prior written consent of Archaeology At Tardis. Ethnographic information that has been provided by Aboriginal people and included in this report is the property of the Aboriginal community to which the informant/s is/are representing at the time the information was given. Such information may NOT be reproduced or distributed in any way without prior written permission from that community. Any advice and/or opinions offered within this report by Archaeology At Tardis does not constitute legal advice or represent those of any third party. The report remains the property of the Sponsor. It may NOT be used, reproduced or distributed in any way without the written consent from the Sponsor. i DOCUMENT HISTORY Version No. Reviewed By Edits Made By Date Edited A A Murphy N Tyler 28.02.2020 A A Murphy S Ellis (Admin) 03.03.2020 A VPA N. Tyler 04.06.2020 B VPA N. Tyler, S. Ellis (Admin) 27.08.2020 C VPA N. Tyler 22.09.2020 DISTRIBUTION OF COPIES Version No. Distributed To Reason Date Issued A Victorian Planning Authority Draft 03.03.2020 B Victorian Planning Authority Draft 10.06.2020 C Victorian Planning Authority Draft 02.09.2020 D Victorian Planning Authority Draft 23.09.2020 D Victoria Planning Authority Final 07.10.2020 Authors: Noah Tyler Project Archaeologist: Noah Tyler Name of Organisation: Archaeology At Tardis Pty Ltd Name of Project: Parwan Station Precinct Structure Plan Parwan Station Precinct Structure Plan Historic Cultural Name of Document: Heritage Assessment Ver. D AAT Project Number: 4188.000 ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report presents the results of an investigation into the historical cultural heritage values, and statutory obligations of the Parwan Station Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) (activity area) (Map 1). The Historic Cultural Heritage Assessment (HCHA) has been prepared in order to develop a broader understanding of the activity area, and identify known historic sites, as well as locations that have historic archaeological potential. Management recommendations have been formulated for known historic sites, and locations of historic archaeological potential. The activity area covers a total of approximately 506 hectares, and is located south east of the Bacchus Marsh town centre. It is bound by the proposed Parwan Employment Precinct in the south, Woolpack Road and Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road to the west and the Werribee River on the north and east. The activity area is located approximately 46 kilometres west of Melbourne (Map 1). The cadastre is presented in (Appendix 2). The activity comprises the Parwan Station Precinct Structure Plan (PSP). The land is currently used predominantly for agricultural and rural residential uses. The intention of the precinct is to establish a residential and commercial growth precinct catering for up to 13,000 people. There are no Victorian Heritage Register or Victorian Heritage Inventory sites within the activity area. However, there is one Moorabool Shire Council Heritage Overlay site within the activity area; the Dwelling at 75 Browns Lane, Parwan (HO 194). The place is protected under Section 123 of the Heritage Act 2017. Additionally, a heritage architect investigation has recommended that the heritage overlay for 75 Browns Lane (HO 194) extend to include the dwelling and selective land at 81 Browns Lane, Parwan. A survey of known and potential historic sites was undertaken on Wednesday 4th December 2019, 3rd January 2020 and 19th May 2020 as part of this assessment. A heritage architect investigation by Graeme Butler & Associates (Appendix 6) was undertaken to determine the original Browns Homestead and prepare a statement of significance for the place. BACKGROUND INFORMATION – DESKTOP ASSESSMENT (SECTION 2) The activity area has been subject to pastoral, rail and agricultural activities. The desktop assessment identified the activity area has been influenced by the selection era (1862- 1890s) when Land Acts led to a diversity of landowners. It was during this period the James Brown and McCullagh homesteads were established. The area has also been influenced by the Closer Settlement Act 1904, which led to subdivisional sales of large estates in the area between 1909 and the 1920s. This led to the establishment of smaller lots and homesteads in the Parwan area. The Parwan Railway Station, which opened in 1886, was also an important part of the development of the Parwan region. The Parwan Railway Station gave quick access to the metropolitan markets as well as milk and butter processing factories in Bacchus Marsh. Unfortunately, no extant features remain from the previous Parwan Train Station. iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FIELDWORK – HISTORIC SITE SURVEY (SECTION 3) The desktop assessment identified five places for investigation with survev undertaken at the c. 1936 Old CFA Building, dwelling at 75 Browns Lane, dwelling at 81 Browns Lane, McCullagh ‘Brightview’ homestead and the Parwan Train Station. INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION (SECTION 6) There is one extant place within the activity area recorded as having local significance. The dwelling at 75 Browns Lane is a weatherboard house, most likely built c. 1900, which has undergone several periods of alteration. It is registered on the Moorabool Shire Council Planning Scheme for local historical and aesthetic significance. It is recorded as having historical significance for being the last 19th century building remaining in Parwan that demonstrates early farming settlement in the area. It is also recorded as having aesthetic significance for demonstrating c. 1870s construction in overall form, materials and surviving original features. However, a heritage architect investigation has determined that the place is a later dwelling built by the Browns’ in the early 20th century within the Browns’ estate. This assessment is based on interpretation of the characteristics of the house, and the physical and documentary evidence of the house situated at 81 Browns Lane as being the original homestead. The architect investigation has determined that the existing heritage overlay should be retained, and extended to include contributory elements and curtilage at 81 Browns Lane (Figure 8 & 9). The dwelling at 81 Browns Lane has two major observable periods of construction, with an original brick dwelling at the front of the house, and a contemporary extension (post 1950s) as the back part of the dwelling. There are also numerous outbuildings, including two brick and corrugated iron roof buildings, and a cistern constructed from brick and covered with concrete. All buildings are in good condition. The dwelling has been determined by a heritage architect investigation as being the original Browns homestead, as indicated by its construction technique, materials and roof pitch. These all indicate a mid-19th century building. Based on this, and documentary evidence presented in this report, it has been recommended that the heritage overlay at 75 Browns Lane be retained and extended to include contributory elements and curtilage at 81 Browns Lane (Figure 8 & 9). The CFA building is of local historical and social interest. It was built in c. 1936, and was originally associated with the Parwan Railway Station Post Office; it was part of the property that housed the post office. In 1947 it became the headquarters of the Parwan CFA, and operated from 1947 until the 2000s, when a new Parwan CFA station was constructed across the road. The place has local historical interest, as it is associated with the formation of an important community organisation. It is of local social interest for its association with the Parwan CFA, an important part of the community, and it represents a community meeting place important to the Parwan community. However, these associations do not meet the heritage criteria for addition on the Moorabool Shire Council Planning Scheme. If possible, any future development affecting the place should be minimal and focus of retaining or repurposing the place for social/community purposes. The sites of the McCullagh homestead and Parwan Railway Station were investigated. All material culture associated with these places, with the exception of a derelict cistern, have been demolished and removed from these locations (Photo 22). This cistern is in poor condition. iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Drystone walls could be present within the activity area, though were disguised by the long, overgrown grass present within the area at the time. The potential for substantial drystone walls is low. If remains are identified, it is likely they will be in relatively poor state, due to the lack of maintenance, and agricultural and pastoral activities that have occurred