20193-Waca His

Home , Barry Shepherd, Cricket Australia, Fremantle, John Inverarity, Perth, WACA Ground

Job No. 20193

WACA Ground Improvement Project

Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds, East Perth

Heritage Impact Statement

Prepared for: Cox Architecture

December 2020

ABN 91 277 671 706 1/315 Rokeby Road, Subiaco Western Australia 6008 Telephone 08 9381 1666 Facsimile 08 9381 1566 [email protected] www.griffithsarchitects.com.au

Griffiths Architects is a leading architectural firm in Perth, Australia. Griffiths Architects was born out of a practice of which Philip Griffiths was a co-director for over 20 years.

The company emerged from a desire to diversify the range of work covered by the practice, and to take a fresh approach to design.

The practice undertakes commissions in architecture, heritage, urban, interior design, interpretation and heritage assessments. Griffiths Architects provides professional advice on a range of issues related to these areas of our discipline.

The practice has won architectural, planning, and heritage awards for a wide range of projects located throughout the state.

Griffiths Architects has a great depth of experience across numerous project types and delivers innovative solutions that embrace environmental responsibility with elegant and simple solutions. The projects are the product of working closely with clients, carefully assessing their expectations, and delivering high quality results.

Cover: Looking south towards the Lillee-Marsh Stand. Griffiths Architects 2016. Revision History Date of this revision: 17 December 2020 Distribution Document Version Author Status Date

HIS 01 Griffiths Architects Draft 14/12/2020 Cox Architecture

HIS 02 Griffiths Architects Final 16/12/2020 Cox Architecture

HIS 03 Griffiths Architects Final 17/12/2020 Cox Architecture

Contents

Introduction 2 Summary 3 Location 4 Heritage Listings 4 Background 6 Statement of Significance 17 Proposals 19 Impacts and Mitigation 22 Conclusion 27 References 28

Heritage Impact Statement | WACA Ground Improvement Project I December 2020 1

Introduction

This Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) relates to proposed ground improvements to be undertaken at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) grounds in East Perth. The works involve the demolition of several existing improvements to accommodate the construction works. The construction works comprise a new WACA pavilion, playing field extensions, new community amenities and an external piazza to establish the WACA as a community destination with cricket and sport at its heart.

Heritage advice was sought from Griffiths Architects in the early schematic design phase of the project, to provide heritage input to the project and identify any possible impacts, as outlined in the HIS.

In 2016, Griffiths Architects prepared, Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds, Heritage Assessment for GHD on behalf of the WACA.

The assessment concluded that;

the place has mainly historic and social values and the only object that is of any longstanding heritage significance is the re-located manual scoreboard. It is both rare and part of the theatre of cricket when in use. On the basis of these values, it would be possible for the place to meet threshold for entry in the State Register, as only one State value needs to be met. The Heritage Council would prepare its own assessment and make its own judgement at some future time. If made available, HCWA might draw on the evidence provided in this assessment as part of its assessment.

No formal assessment has been undertaken, but WACA ground was included in the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s (HCWA) database in 2003 as a place to be assessed.

It is included in the City of Perth’s Municipal Heritage Inventory (MHI) and the MRA’s Heritage Inventory as a Category 3 level place. It was thought at that time that the MHI assessment was prepared, that heritage values attached to the place were mainly historic and social. At that time no values were attached to the physical fabric, but by their nature MHIs are a first pass. In this respect, the Griffiths Architect report of 2016 is a more useful document.

Places in italics throughout the report are include in the State Register of Heritage Places.

The WACA is located in the vicinity of the Queen’s Gardens (Heritage Place no 4572), Gloucester Park (Heritage Place no 021170) and the Western Australian Police Service Complex (Heritage Place no 02170) all of which are State Heritage list registered places. Trinity College does not appear to be picked up on any heritage registers.

This HIS will use the statement of significance for the WACA Grounds from the Griffiths Architects report of 2016 and from their register entries of the above places to identify any possible impacts the proposed works will have on their heritage values, and determine if any mitigation is required.

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Summary

Based on the drawings provided and considering the heritage values of the adjacent heritage places, together with the values attributed to the WACA Grounds, this heritage impact statement demonstrates, that there are no significant heritage impacts on State Heritage values arising from the proposed developments at the WACA Grounds,

As a result, no mitigation is required, and there is a potential for these works to provide positive impacts to social values, with the possible increase in visitation that these works may bring, being beneficial to the future of the WACA Ground.

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Location

WACA Grounds and Stands, Perth is located on the block of land bounded by Nelson Crescent to the north, which changes to Nelson Avenue, Braithwaite Street to the east, Hay Street to the south and Hale Street to the west.

Beyond the roads that bound the grounds, are a public carpark to the north, Gloucester Park, harness racing sports ground complex to the north, Trinity College to the east, the WA Police Service Complex – an administrative and police complex to the south, and Queens Gardens - a public park is located to the west.

N ELS ON CR ES CE NT

H T A E

L LOCATION OF E E R T

S PROPOSED WORKS S

T E

HA R IT Y ST E A REE E W T T H IT A R B

Figure 01: Aerial photograph of location, location of works shown red. Google Maps, Griffiths Architects 2020.

Heritage Listings

Heritage listings for Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds include the following:

• City of Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 - 31 December 1999

• City of Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory - 13 March 2001

• DevelopmentWA (MRA) Central Perth Heritage Inventory Level 3 Place of Lesser Significance

The WACA Ground but is included as a place to be assessed by HCWA as of 14 February 2003.

Western Australian Police Service complex:

• National Trust Classification - 8 July 2002

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• Stage Register of Heritage Places - Place no. 03048 - 14 February 2003

• City of Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory - 9 January 2004

Queens Gardens:

• Register of the National Estate (Defunct) - 21 October 1980

• State Register of Heritage Places - Place no. 4572 - 29 June 1999

• National Trust Classification - 11 June 2001

• City of Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory - 26 June 2001

Gloucester Park include:

• City of Perth Municipal Heritage Inventory - 31 March 2000

• State Register of Heritage Places - Place no. 02170 - 17 April 2003

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Background

Documentary Evidence

The following documentary evidence is comprised a simplified and summarized text drawn from documentary evidence completed by Eddie Marcus and Griffiths Architects within the WACA Heritage Assessment, dated September 2016. For the full documentary evidence, please refer to the original document in the Appendix.

The amalgamation of the Perth and Union cricket clubs formed the Metropolitan Cricket Club (MCC) in 1878. This powerful new club was to revolutionise the sport in the State, since it was instrumental in forming the Western Australian Cricket Association.

The officers of the MCC were ordered in October 1885 to “consider the question of forming a Cricketing Association, and to make their report upon the subject as soon as possible”. This was evidently achieved with some speed since a November meeting of the committees of the various cricket clubs in Perth, held at the United Service Hotel, unanimously passed the following resolution: “That it is desirable to form a Cricketing Association of the recognised Perth Clubs, subject to the Municipal Council’s letting an adequate portion of the Recreation Ground for the exclusive right of playing thereon by such Association”.

The West Australian Cricketing Association was officially established on 25 November 1885, with John James becoming President on 14 January 1866. The four initial members were Perth CC, City Temperance CC, Metropolitan CC and Union CC.

In June 1886, the Football and Cricket Associations of Perth passed a resolution pledging to obtain a ground for themselves, partly because of the playing conditions on the New Recreation Ground, but mostly because they were banned from charging admission there. Again there were concerns expressed that any site near the Causeway was too far distant from the town to be practical.

It was not until late 1889 that land for the WACA Grounds & Stands was granted to the Association. On 19 December, a deputation from the WACA met with Governor Frederick Broome, just two days before he was due to go to London to request Responsible Government for the State. Evidently in no mood to waste time, Broome had the Commissioner of Crown Lands, John Forrest, draw up a 999- year lease for fourteen acres two roods of Perth Reserve A27, near the Causeway, to be used for cricketing purposes. The WACA Committee was satisfied with the nature of the soil, “a stiff red clay”, and announced that it would not take much expenditure to make it “one of the finest grounds in

Australia”.

On 27 May 1891 the opening of the WA Cricketing Association’s Ground took place, with the Governor and Lady Robinson in attendance. A track and field meeting was held in the afternoon, along with a pony race, and a band playing between events. It was noted that the ground had been improved by the Association, but a great deal more work needed to be undertaken. The site needed raising around two feet to prevent dampness, and it was recommended that a bicycle track would be preferable to a course for ponies.

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Practice matches were first played on the WACA Grounds & Stands‘ turf wickets in February 1894. Unfortunately, the two wickets were slow, and the ball “cut all kinds of queer capers”, sometimes delivering an unintended bouncer and breaking both ways without the bowler’s control. Although development had raised the ground level, it was still much lower than it would become after years of top dressing and the installation of new drainage systems. The wicket could be damp due to the rise and fall of the river. In addition, the raised banks around the ground were formed with ashes from the Railway Depot at East Perth. Players would often be smothered in ash until the banks were properly grassed.

The first competitive match appears to have been played on 20 October 1894, between the MCC and West Perth. It was noted that it was purely a bowler’s wicket and the batsmen, being unaccustomed to the style of the WACA’s turf, “made a poor hand with the bat”. The MCC managed a score of only 39 from the single-innings game.

In 1895 the first Grandstand was built at the WACA Grounds & Stands, seating 500 people. Beneath were four dressing rooms, a dining room, two bathrooms, members’ rooms and bars. As was common in this era, it received a glowing review from the newspapers:

The new pavilion at the Cricket Association’s Ground is now nearing completion, and was used for the first time at the cycling sports. The building comprises upon the ground floor, four dressing- rooms, one dining-room, two bathrooms, members-room and bar for the public. The plan is so arranged that the dressing-rooms are easy of access from the bathrooms, which are fitted with showers as well as lavatory-basins. Above the rooms a gallery rises with eleven tiers of seats, each seat being about 2ft. 6in. wide, and in all will seat about 500 persons. All the spectators will have a clear view of the whole field; the gallery being raked sufficiently to allow one to see over the heads of those in front. Along the centre of the gallery a strong handrail has been securely fixed to the main timbers of the gallery. This handrail is designed as a safeguard to the public in case of a rush occurring when the stand is well filled, and by its means those in front would be relieved of the pressure of those at the back. The gallery also contains a vice-regal box in the centre bay, and in each of the end bays the members and press will be accommodated. The whole is supported upon large piers at the rear and substantial brick piers and wall to front, which is broken into five bays by bold ornamental piers finishing in panelled pedestals for the support of the cots of the roof. The whole of the brickwork is to be painted in black and suitably enriched with bold mouldings of cement and sunk panels in which are set ornamental tiles of rich colors. From each end of the building a wide staircase ascends to the gallery; the stairs being finished with moulded and turned newels and iron bats. They are continued along front between the pedestals. Six cots rising from the pedestals support the front of the roof which is a gable end with bold projection and ornamented barge board terminating in a flag pole. The front of the roof is broken up with three pediments, enriched cornice and finials and in the centre panel the letters W.A.C.A. suitably written and gilded. The eaves are all projecting to front and finished - with bold overhanging cornice to correspond with the pediments. Beneath the eaves an ornamental frieze runs the whole length of front - finishing against the colors with brackets to match, the whole being finished in well-blended greens enlivened with maroon, and will form, a handsome feature in the surrounding landscape. The work has been carried out by Mr. H. Doyle, of Perth,

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according to the design and under the supervision of Mr. [Peter John] Wilson, architect, of Fremantle, whose design is generally commended.

Two years later, there was an opening of a new Members’ Pavilion on 6 May 1897, with the Premier, Sir John Forrest, as the guest of honour. At the subsequent reception, Forrest praised the WACA for transforming “the principal home of the mosquito” into a cricket ground. In response, the committee thanked him for the generous support his government had offered and made it clear they expected much more financial support in the coming years.

Photograph 1: WACA Oval. c.1905, State Library of Western Australia 009932PD

In 1948, the 1907 scoreboard was completely destroyed by storm. Money was raised by the Nor’ West and Murchison Cricket Association for a new board, and by 1951 they had raised £2,350. However, there were complications obtaining a permit from the State Housing Commission for a brick and concrete structure, meaning plans had to change. It took until 1954 for the replacement scoreboard, which remains today at the WACA Grounds & Stands, to be officially opened and it commenced use in February 1954 at a Town v Country match. The new scoreboard was of tubular steel on concrete foundations with the scoring mechanism enclosed in fibrolite sheeting.

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Photograph 2: Scoreboard. 1953 since relocated and re-built. State Library of Western Australia, 102555PD

In 1955, after more than half a century of playing at the WACA Grounds & Stands, football left for Subiaco Oval. What had been a multi-use ground for most of its life was now almost exclusively a cricket venue. The following year saw plans for an improved shelter for the outer reserve, alterations and additions to the Members’ Stand and the erection of a players’ pavilion. These improvements were a risky decision since they required members’ approval for a £25,000 overdraft. When the loan was approved, the improvements began in 1959-60.

When Perth got its first Australia-England test in 1970, the city now having a population of 750,000, there was a chance to prove the West had the equal of other Australian cricket grounds. $400,000 was raised, partly by public subscription, to improve facilities, and they constructed the Test Stand, later renamed after John Inverarity. This basic concrete edifice, many of the 3,000 seats were in the sun for most of the day, still represented the first modern stand at the WACA Grounds & Stands. Crowds totalled 84,142, even though the pitch was dead, leading to a predictable draw.

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Photograph 3: Inverarity Stand. 1971, State Library of Western Australia 160045PD.

A master plan was prepared by Hanlon Young Architects in 1983 which included plans for a new members’ stand, southern stand (Lillee-Marsh Stand), new surfacing and lighting with Bruechle Gilchrist and Evans, and other minor projects, with a view to the ground having a 60,000 capacity.

The development included a realignment and a complete resurfacing of the ground and the construction of new terracing and seating in the outer. Also built were the three-tiered Prindiville Stand (opened November 1984) and two-tiered Lillee-Marsh Stand, which increased the ground's seating capacity. Bernie Prindiville was a past president of the Association, and the stand named after him houses the Association’s Administration and Finance Departments, along with the President’s Room, the Willow Room, the Stump Lounge and a range of private boxes.

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Photograph 4: Inverarity Stand (left) and the Prindiville Stand. 1987, State Library of Western Australia, 324413PD.

These redevelopments once again made the WACA Grounds & Stands an attractive venue for sports other than cricket. East Perth FC and Perth FC ground shared the Oval from 1988. From 1987 to 2000, the ground was used by the West Coast Eagles, and from 1995 by the Fremantle Dockers Australian Football League teams. From 1995 to 1997 the WACA Grounds & Stands served was home for the Western Reds rugby league team. From 1996 the ground played host to the Perth Heat in the former Australian Baseball League (1989-99). For varying reasons these sports moved away from the WACA Grounds & Stands by the end of the 20th century.

At the southern end of the Oval, the Lillee-Marsh Stand was completed in 1988 as a public stand, intended to cater for both cricket and football spectators. Since the 2002 redevelopment, this stand has been reserved for members. The Sir Donald Bradman Room and Media Centre are housed in the upper levels of the Stand along with a series of private/sponsor boxes. A reception-function centre for 500 people is available in this complex. It was named after former State and Australian players Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh. During construction of the Lillee-Marsh Stand, the scoreboard was disassembled and moved it to the east side of the ground, where it remains.

By the early 21st century, it was clear that football was unlikely to return to the WACA Grounds & Stands, so it was redeveloped in 2002. The capacity of the ground was reduced to around 20,000 and the dimensions of the playing arena were also decreased by a total of 31 metres at the eastern and western boundaries. These changes meant Australian Rules Football could no longer be played at the venue. A new Players’ Pavilion was constructed within the Members’ Enclosure and included change rooms and social rooms for all players. The 2002 redevelopment also saw the demolition of Farley

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Stand (1931) after a report from the Heritage Council found that it was likely to be included in the State Register of Heritage Places. Architect for the work was James Christou and Partners.

Photograph 5: Aerial of East Perth showing the WACA, Queens Gardens and WA Police Service Complex. 2012, State Library of Western Australia BA2314/1021

In September 2013, Cricket Australia announced the WACA Grounds & Stands would not host a test match, a decision that left Perth without a summer test match for the first time in 40 years. Cricket Australia said the WACA Grounds & Stands required significant improvements given it has the smallest capacity of the five mainland capital city venues.

From the 2018-19 season, the WACA Grounds & Stands ceased to be a major international cricket venue in Perth, as these events relocated to the 60, 000-seat stadium in Burswood. The WACA Grounds & Stands is scheduled to host some minor tests, Sheffield Shield matches, and be developed into a cricket training facility. Physical Evidence This section is drawn from the Heritage Assessment for the WACA, completed in 2016 by Griffiths Architects.

WACA Grounds & Stands, Perth is a cricket grounds arranged around a central grassed oval with spectator grandstands, grassed banks, pavilion structures and six 70metre high concrete light towers.

Wide bitumen and concrete slab paved; concrete kerbed footpaths surround the grounds. Street trees line the south and east perimeters of the place and these are all young London Planes. The perimeter of the site is mostly enclosed with brick walls with a variety of tops including garrison style fencing,

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chain-link, and barbed wire. There are eight patron entry gates located around the perimeter, together with service access gates. Street paving types vary.

The buildings on the site are the spectator stands, including, the Inverarity Stand (1970) to the north- west, the Prindiville Stand (1984) to the north and Lillee Marsh Stand (1988) to the south. Some pavilion structures are also located in the place including the South West Pavilion and Players Pavilion (2002). These are organised in an elliptical arrangement surrounding the grassed oval. There are numerous minor structures, sheds, bars and shelters arranged around the perimeter of the grounds, and most of these structures date from 1983 and later.

Planting consists mainly of grass and trees in beds, around open spaces and in paving. In general terms this is no real plan to the landscaping and it generally consists of small areas of opportunistic planting to fill in spaces that are available. The setting itself, apart from being centred on the playing surface has little or no heritage value.

Plantings within the grounds include Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Lemon Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora), Queensland Box (Lephostemon confertas), London Plane Trees (Platinus x acerfolia), Cocos Palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana), New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsia), White Poplar (Populus alba), Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia), Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), Dracaena (Dracaena spp), Bamboo Palm (Dypsis lutescens), and Tree Ferns (Cyathea cooper). There is no real theme to this planting and few of the plantings are more than adolescent. There are numerous standard roses around the grounds in lines, groups and single plantings. None of the landscapes hard, soft or plantings has intrinsic heritage value.

An interpretive memorial walk is located between the rear of the South West Members Pavilion, Lillee Marsh Stand and the southern boundary wall. Photographs of cricket players are fixed between brick piers on the internal face of the brick boundary wall, and also female players are commemorated on the rear of the South West Members Pavilion concrete retaining wall. The ground surface is a bituminised. A row of unfixed tables and benches are located in this area in between mature trees, which are located in limestone planters.

There is a single storey painted brick and concrete tiled building located at the north west corner of the site that operates as a museum and a corrugated metal indoor centre to the north east. Podium and seating structures include the north-east podium, members’ seats to the south, pavilion buildings to the south-east and member’s pavilions to the south west.

A practice wickets area is located to the north-east and is enclosed with steel garrison type fence with plantings of Cocos Palms and Standard Roses along the western side.

The perimeter of the place is enclosed with a mixture of brick and steel fencing and a number of gates as noted above. The west wall is a piered brick wall detailed with bullnose brick capping and topped with steel garrison fencing. The southern external portion of the west wall has been painted with an

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interpretive mural. A small “Change Booth” is located in this portion and comprises two aluminium framed windows, and a brick, rendered and roughcast parapet. Way finding signage is located on the south-west corner. The south perimeter wall is stretcher bond brick with relief carved “Midland Brick” branding and soldier brick topped with barbed wire. The east perimeter wall is stretcher bond brick with barbed wire. The north portion of this wall changes to garrison steel fencing. The north perimeter fence comprises the wickets practice area chain link fence bordered by hedging. An assortment of Colorbond and garrison style fencing on limestone plinths make up the remainder of the north perimeter.

A variety of temporary steel framed service buildings are located around the site and these are noted on the site plan.

The Playing Surface

The grassed playing surface is centrally located at the place with buildings arranged around it in an elliptical form. The surface includes a 10 wicket centre square.

Gates

The north entrance gate, Gate 2, named ‘JP Stratton Entrance’ is a painted brick and metal roofed building with a semi-circular metal-sheeted canopy. Two ticket windows flank either side of a large central entrance, which is secured with a metal roller shutter. The forecourt is paved and includes metal tubular barriers. Gate 3 is of a similar construction and style with a translucent sheeted semicircular canopied entryway and small painted brick ticket booth. It serves as the Prindiville Stand entrance and includes cast iron turnstiles, manufactured by Legrand and Sutcliff, London from the World War I period, and metal crowd barriers.

The west spectator entrance gate, Gate 6, named the ‘Barry Shepherd Entrance’ is comprised of a single storey white painted brick and green metal hipped roofed building. Two metal hipped roof canopies and steel pole supported entrances with metal security grilles are located one to either side of the ticket building. The central building includes four aluminium framed ticket windows with projecting brick surrounds and steel grilles. The forecourt is paved and contains metal barriers.

Gate 8 is located at the south east corner of the site and is named “Truman Entrance”. It is a steel framed, flat roofed structure supported by circular steel posts. Cast Iron turnstiles of the same vintage as those in Gate 3 are located on a concrete pathway with the remainder of the forecourt paved.

Other gates around the site include corrugated sheet metal swing gates and WACA branded metal gates.

Spectator Stands

The place includes the Inverarity Stand, Prindiville Stand, Lillee Marsh Stand, pavilion structures and podium scaffold-construction seating.

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The Players Pavilion (2002) and member’s seats located at the south east portion of the oval is a double storey concrete and steel framed gable roofed building with one tier of plastic foldable seats and extended steel canopy. Roof sheeting is green corrugated metal with boarding and flag poles to the gable ends. The canopy is of flat roofed construction with tapered steel beams terminating with steel shade fins. The first level has aluminium framed glazing facing the oval. It includes change rooms and social rooms for the players.

The Lillee Marsh stand (1988) is a 4 storey concrete and steel grandstand with 2 tiers of plastic foldable seating. The building employs a tapered, cantilevered concrete beam system and a metal roof deck. The stand is reserved for WACA membership. The upper stand includes the Sir Donald Bradman Room and Media Centre along with a series of sponsor boxes. A reception-function centre is located within the building. The ground level is used as a bar with a number of storage areas. The walls are of brick construction. The rear of the building is observable from Hay Street and exhibits a rendered wall with WACA insignia that contains the elevator shafts and stairwells. Balconies with steel balustrading overlook the rear of laneway and Hay Street. Tunnels lead to the oval from the stand.

The members grassed area comprises an open pavilion type structure and steel fenced enclosure in the south-east portion of the oval. It is a double level steel framed structure with shade sail roofing at the first level. A steel staircase with chain link metal balustrade is located to the north and provides access to the first level. A staircase to the south provides rear access to the ground level roadway.

The assembly includes various temporary timber screens and steel lean-to canopies connected to the structure.

The south west portion of the grounds includes the South West Members Pavilion, a steel framed and truss, gabled metal roof and cantilevered steel canopy, open structure with 2 tiers of plastic spectator seating, concrete flooring and low height limestone walls.

The Prindiville Stand (1984) is a four storey concrete and steel grand stand with 3 spectator seating tiers. Additional seating is also provided to the north perimeter oval bank. The building is clad in corrugated metal to the east and the north portion which also includes corrugated translucent panels. North facing balconies are clad in corrugated metal and have steel handrails and balustrades to the stairwell. The walls are of painted brick construction and full height glazing to the north. The building houses the Association’s Administration and Finance departments and also includes the President’s room, the Willow Room, the Stump Lounge and private boxes.

The Inverarity Stand (1970) is a single tiered concrete and steel grandstand with 6 banks of fixed plastic seating. It includes a cantilevered steel canopy supported by tapered steel beams. Concrete columns support the seating. Branded sponsorship insignia is located at the seating balconies. Tiered seating is also located below it as part of the north perimeter seating.

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The north east podium seating is a temporary demountable system of scaffolded construction spectator seating.

The grassed banks comprise low height concrete walling, concrete footpaths at the top and are grassed, sloping downward toward the pitch. Steel balustrading is located at various level changes and separating adjacent areas.

The indoor centre is a single storey steel framed, corrugated metal clad building located at the north east portion of the place. It contains four wickets and bowling machines. Adjacent to this building is the outdoor Practice Wickets Area. Retractable shade sails and steel column structure located to the Practice Wickets area. Trees planted alongside the practice wickets are Cocos Island Palms.

Museum

The museum is a single storey painted brick and hipped concrete tiled roofed building located in the North west corner of the site.

Indoor Centre

The indoor centre is a single storey steel framed, corrugated metal clad building located at the north- east portion of the place. It contains four wickets and bowling machines.

Scoreboards

Two scoreboards are located in the east portion of the grounds. Both are currently used during matches. The digital board is a steel structure with an access ladder and 3 platforms to the rear.

A manually operated black and ‘gold’ painted scoreboard is located to the south of the digital board. It has a brass dedication plaque affixed to the wall fronting the board, reading:

TO THE MEMORY OF CRICKETERS FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IN TWO WORLD WARS. 1914-1918 1939-1945. THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED ON THE 24TH FEBRUARY 1954 BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA LT.GEN. SIR CHARLES GAIRDNER K.C.M.G C.B., C.B.E. This memorial was made possible by the efforts of the Nor’West and Murchison Cricket Association and the help of other supporters of the game.

The scoreboard is a 3 level timber and steel framed, fully enclosed scoreboard that is accessed from a steel stair and doorway to the rear. The front of the scoreboard is constructed of boarding and the rear and sides clad with corrugated metal. 2 Timber staircases are located internally. Horizontal format sliding windows are located to the sides and at each level to the rear. A historic photograph of the scoreboard indicates that these are a latter addition to the structure.

The structure has a skillion roof with sheerline gutters and rectangular profile downpipes. A steel cross braced foundation system supports the board. The front of the board has been modified since the

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historic photograph was taken, with the addition of a parapet that has arched mouldings, an analogue clock, flagpoles and up lighting at the board base. The scoreboard displays the Western Australia all- time XI cricket players on the left side. The score cards are hand painted metal plates.

During a match the scoreboard usually employs 10 operators who manoeuvre between the three levels to update the board.

Statement of Significance

To assist in assessing heritage impacts, the significance of Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds, Western Australian Police Service Complex, Queens Gardens and Gloucester Park need to be understood, and this is summarised in the statement of significance.

WACA Grounds & Stands, consisting of an oval, entry gates, Post-War International style grandstand buildings, and a manual scoreboard, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place as a whole is highly valued by the community for the social and cultural associations of cricket over the years;

the scoreboard is rare, as only one of two manual operated scoreboards remaining in operation in Australia.

WACA Grounds & Stands is significant as an originally multi-use sportsground, which by the early 21st century had been redeveloped into a ground mostly suited exclusively for cricket. It is unique in Western Australia as the major home of cricket since 1894.

In the DevelopmentWA (MRA) Heritage Inventory, the statement of significance reads:

An element of the early planning scheme and an important element of the townscape. The place has historic value with community sentiment and attachment to the site over a long period of time. It has value as a setting for sport and recreation. The place has historic and social value but the fabric has no aesthetic value.

This statement capture longstanding social and historic values and specifically excludes all of the fabric. These values are contained in the City’s values.

Western Australian Police Service Complex, a nine storey administrative building and attached three-storey police station and lock-up, constructed in the Late-Twentieth Century International style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place is a prominent landmark, by virtue of the distinctive concave form of the tall headquarters building, which marks the eastern gateway to the city of Perth;

the place is a good example of an office building constructed in the Late-Twentieth Century International style still extant within Perth. The increasing use of curvilinear forms was characteristic of this style and the concave form of the headquarters building is the dominant aesthetic;

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the place is rare as it includes the only multi-storey office building of curvilinear form, designed in the 1960s, extant within Western Australia. The place is also rare as an intact multi-storey office building in the International style dating from the period;

the place demonstrates the principal characteristics of office buildings dating from the 1960s, such as the external expression of the concrete structure and the integration of passive sun-control devices in the design of the façade;

the place is associated with the Police Commissioners and other officers who have worked from it since its construction, and the Walsh Pitman Memorial is associated with the many fallen police officers that it commemorates; and,

the place, designed by the Architectural Division of the Public Works Department of Western Australia, is the first purpose-built consolidated Western Australian Police Service headquarters in Western Australia, incorporating all the major branches and sections of the Western Australian Police Department.

Queen’s Gardens, a public park of approximately 3 1/2 hectares bounded by Hay, Nelson, Hale and Plain Streets, in the Picturesque and Paradise/Oasis styles featuring a series of artificially created ponds, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place is an important and representative example of a public park in the Picturesque landscape style with Paradise/Oasis style design and planting elements;

the place is important in the history of the City of Perth because of its early association with the manufacture of bricks in the mid to late 1800s which were used in several prominent buildings, and for its subsequent role in the provision of public parklands in the late nineteenth century;

the place is important as a source of aesthetic delight and recreation for the community and as a venue for wedding ceremonies and other social occasions;

the statue of Peter Pan, a copy of the Peter Pan statue in London's Kensington Gardens, is significant for its association with the sculptor Sir George Frampton and with the Perth Rotary Club who gave it to the children of Western Australia;

the Caretaker's Cottage, which forms an integral part of the Gardens, has been occupied by garden caretakers with few interruptions since 1906;

the place is important for its scientific value, arising from its earlier use as a brickworks and for the variety of plants it contains; and,

the place is important as a rare example with a high degree of integrity of the Picturesque and Paradise garden styles.

Gloucester Park, a harness racing sports ground comprising Trotting Track, Main Entrance and Forecourts, Enclosure Totalisator, Leger Totalisator, Switchhouse, Birdcage, Birdcage Entrance, Birdcage Kiosk, Canary Island Palms, and other associated buildings and plantings surrounding the Track, and enclosed in a masonry and chainlink mesh Perimeter Wall, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

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the place has operated as the State’s principal harness racing venue from 1929 to the present, and is the oldest only remaining purpose built harness racing ground in Perth;

the Enclosure Totalisator and Leger Totalisator provide important evidence of the housing and use of automatic mechanical calculating devices in the first half of the twentieth century. The Western Australian Trotting Association in East Perth had the first installation of this device in Australia;

the early and original buildings within the place, including the Main Entrance, Canary Island Palms, Enclosure and Leger Totalisators, Birdcage Kiosk and Switchhouse together with the Track as the organising design element, collectively form a cultural environment of historic built elements;

the arcaded Main Entrance on Nelson Crescent, including two ticketing booths and six double vehicular gates, is valued for its Free Classical detailing and impressive scale, and, with its backdrop of Canary Island Palms and generous forecourt, has become a considerable landmark in the vicinity. The Free Classical detail of the nearby Switchhouse reinforces that of the Main Entrance.

the Enclosure and Leger Totalisators, with their three storey towers and symmetrical facades displaying characteristics of Federation Arts and Crafts style, collectively form a cultural environment of historic built elements which both individually and collectively have landmark value;

the evidence of the early and original development of the place is associated with individuals and organisations including James Brennan, J.P. Stratton, and the Committees and members of the Western Australian Trotting Association. Later developments are significant for their association with Sir Frank Ledger and the Western Australian Trotting Association; and,

the place is highly valued by the community as a landmark and social gathering place, which contributes to its sense of place, and also by the Western Australian Trotting Association, harness racing fraternity and by the community at large for the place’s continuous use as a harness racing venue since 1929. The Totalisators, Main Entrance, and plantings, particularly the Canary Island Palms, contribute to the community’s sense of place as a landmark and social gathering place.

Proposals

A) Demolition

A number of existing improvements are to be demolished during the first stage of the proposed works, these are comprised;

- Prindiville Stand and related ancillary structures - Inverarity Stand - WACA Museum - Barry Shepherd Entry & Box Office (western entry) - Orangery & The Sails - Northern internal carpark - Northern podium

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- Light tower 2 - North-eastern security & box office building - Indoor cricket centre - All practice wickets (synthetic & grass) - Langers Loft - Areas of the east & west banks to allow for playing field extensions

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B) Construction

The proposed works to the north of the site involve the construction of a new pavilion. This pavilion is comprised a basement level, ground floor concourse and three upper levels.

The basement level contains players facilities, grounds storage and matchday facilties. The former Barry Shepherd entrance is to become a secure vehicular circulation path, which ramps beneath the pavilion and continues through to Braithwaite Street.

The ground floor conscourse serves as a crowd crush area and as the main area for community enagement on the site, and contains the main entry accessible via Nelson Crescent. The proposed use of angular geometry is to create a panoramic view upon entry, where the lines of structure to either side lead the viewers gaze directly toward the existing playing field. External to the entry, a narrative wall will invite the indigenous peoples of Western Australia to tell their own story and engage the wider community.

The concourse offers alfrecso dining and a café due west of the entrance,along with a reception and box office area. A theatrette and museum are situated east of the entrance, and will exhibit movable heritage and artefacts, many of which are currently in storage at the WACA, or in the existing museum.

The greater concourse area west of the pavilion proposes the introduction of three community swimming pools to service a proposed health club. A learn to swim pool, comprised a shallow design, is aimed at first timers and their familes. A splash pool, for a more recreational swim, and a 50m lane pool.

To the east, a sports medicine and high performace space precede new indoor/outdoor cricket & practice facilities, replacing the outdated existing facilties. A childcare centre has been proposed to span the ground floor and first floors, the ground areas offer outdoor spaces, while the latter is indoors.

The first level is comprised high performance admin and offices, along with a community health club, which overlooks the playing field. The health club contains universally accessible amenties, a reception kiosk, program rooms and welness treatment areas.

Level two is to house the majority of offices and administriation for the WACA, with the thrid level mainly being used for functions and other gatherings, with an indoor function area to the south, and an external function deck area to the north.

The removal of parts of the east and west banks allow the playing field to be altered, accomodating other sports including AFL.

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Impacts and Mitigation

In reviewing the Statements of Significance for the WACA Grounds, Queens Gardens, WA Police Service Complex, and Gloucester Park, impacts or any proposed works might be measured.

A review of the values and examination of the possible impacts are as follows:

Heritage Values Potential Impact Analysis Degree and Intensity of Impacts and Mitigation Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds

The place as a whole is highly valued by This is a social and historic value that No impact and no mitigation is required, the community for the social and will remain unchanged by the the proposed developments may cultural associations of cricket over the development. positively impact this value. years.

The scoreboard is rare, as only one of The scoreboard is being retained in its No mitigation required. two manual operated scoreboards present location. No impact. remaining in operation in Australia.

WACA Grounds & Stands is significant Some existing stands and structures No mitigation required. as an originally multi-use sportsground, are proposed to be demolished, which by the early 21st century had leading to a reduction in the maximum been redeveloped into a ground patron capacity. However, the mostly suited exclusively for cricket. It is proposed works accommodate for and unique in Western Australia as the encourage the return of other sports to major home of cricket since 1894. the WACA. The project maintains the WACA as the major home of cricket in Western Australia. No impact.

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Heritage Values Potential Impact Analysis Degree and Intensity of Impacts and Mitigation Queens Gardens There are no physical works proposed for Queens Gardens in this proposal. The place is an important and There is no overshadowing that will No mitigation required. representative example of a public park impact on plantings. in the Picturesque landscape style with The proposed works will have no Paradise/Oasis style design and impact the presentation on the planting elements. gardens or on this value.

The place is important in the history of This historic value will not be No mitigation required. the City of Perth because of its early impacted. association with the manufacture of bricks in the mid to late 1800s which were used in several prominent buildings, and for its subsequent role in the provision of public parklands in the late nineteenth century.

The place is important as a source of There is no overshadowing that will No mitigation required. aesthetic delight and recreation for the impact the park’s amenity. This social community and as a venue for wedding value will not be impacted by the ceremonies and other social occasions. proposed works.

The Caretaker's Cottage, which forms The proposed works will have no No mitigation required. an integral part of the Gardens, has impact on this value. been occupied by garden caretakers with few interruptions since 1906.

The place is important for its scientific The proposed works will have no No mitigation required. value, arising from its earlier use as a impact on this value. brickworks and for the variety of plants it contains.

The place is important as a rare The proposed works will have no No mitigation required. example with a high degree of integrity impact on this value. of the Picturesque and Paradise garden styles.

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Heritage Values Potential Impact Analysis Degree and Intensity of Impacts and Mitigation Western Australian Police Service Complex

The place is a prominent landmark, by The landmark value is the view from No mitigation required. virtue of the distinctive concave form of the east, south and west. The the tall headquarters building, which proposed works will have no impact on marks the eastern gateway to the city of this value. Perth.

The place is a good example of an The development is remote from this No mitigation required. office building constructed in the Late- element and will not impact on this Twentieth Century International style presentation. still extant within Perth. The increasing use of curvilinear forms was characteristic of this style and the concave form of the headquarters building is the dominant aesthetic.

The place is rare as it includes the only The development is remote from this No mitigation required. multi-storey office building of element and will not impact on this curvilinear form, designed in the 1960s, presentation. extant within Western Australia. The place is also rare as an intact multi- storey office building in the International style dating from the period.

The place demonstrates the principal This historic and social value will not be No mitigation required. characteristics of office buildings dating impacted by the proposed works. from the 1960s, such as the external expression of the concrete structure and the integration of passive sun- control devices in the design of the façade;

The place is associated with the Police This historic and social value will not be No mitigation required. Commissioners and other officers who impacted by the proposed works. The have worked from it since its Walsh Pitman Memorial has been construction, and the Walsh Pitman removed since this value was adopted. Memorial is associated with the many fallen police officers that it commemorates;

The place, designed by the This historic and social value will not be No mitigation required. Architectural Division of the Public impacted by the proposed works. Works Department of Western Australia, is the first purpose-built consolidated Western Australian Police Service headquarters in Western Australia, incorporating all the major branches and sections of the Western Australian Police Department.

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Heritage Values Potential Impact Analysis Degree and Intensity of Impacts and Mitigation Gloucester Park

The place has operated as the State’s This historic value will not be impacted No mitigation required. principal harness racing venue from by the proposed works. 1929 to the present, and is the oldest only remaining purpose built harness racing ground in Perth.

The Enclosure Totalisator and Leger The works are remote from these No mitigation required. Totalisator provide important evidence features and will not impact on them. of the housing and use of automatic mechanical calculating devices in the first half of the twentieth century. The Western Australian Trotting Association in East Perth had the first installation of this device in Australia.

The early and original buildings within The works are remote from these No mitigation required. the place, including the Main Entrance, features and will have no impact to Canary Island Palms, Enclosure and these elements, or their historic and Leger Totalisators, Birdcage Kiosk and social value. Switchhouse together with the Track as the organising design element, collectively form a cultural environment of historic built elements.

The arcaded Main Entrance on Nelson The proposed works will have no No mitigation required. Potential for Crescent, including two ticketing impact on this value. The use of positive impact. booths and six double vehicular gates, angular geometry will allow for a is valued for its Free Classical detailing panoramic view of from the WACA and impressive scale, and, with its Grounds towards Gloucester Park. backdrop of Canary Island Palms and Potential for positive impact. generous forecourt, has become a considerable landmark in the vicinity. The Free Classical detail of the nearby Switchhouse reinforces that of the Main Entrance.

The Enclosure and Leger Totalisators, The proposed works will have no No mitigation required. with their three storey towers and impact on this value. symmetrical facades displaying characteristics of Federation Arts and Crafts style, collectively form a cultural environment of historic built elements which both individually and collectively have landmark value.

The evidence of the early and original There is no impact on any of these No mitigation required. development of the place is associated elements. with individuals and organisations including James Brennan, J.P. Stratton, and the Committees and members of the Western Australian Trotting Association. Later developments are significant for their association with Sir Frank Ledger and the Western Australian Trotting Association.

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Heritage Values Potential Impact Analysis Degree and Intensity of Impacts and Mitigation The place is highly valued by the The works are located well away from No mitigation required. Potential for community as a landmark and social this element. The landmark qualities of positive impact. gathering place, which contributes to the place will not be impacted. its sense of place, and also by the Western Australian Trotting The proposed works aim to establish a Association, harness racing fraternity wider sense of community and by the community at large for the engagement, especially in the place’s continuous use as a harness northern areas of the site toward racing venue since 1929. The Nelson Crescent. Potential for positive Totalisators, Main Entrance, and impact and interaction with Gloucester plantings, particularly the Canary Island Park. Palms, contribute to the community’s sense of place as a landmark and social gathering place.

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Conclusion

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References

Western Australian Cricket Association Grounds, Perth - Heritage Assessment, 2016. Griffiths Architects.

Queens Gardens - State Register of Heritages Places - Place no. 04572 Permanent Entry 29 June 1999

Gloucester Park - State Register of Heritage Places - Place no. 02170 Interim Entry 17 April 2003

Western Australian Police Service Complex - State Register of Heritage Places - Place no. 03048 Permanent Entry 14 February 2003

Development drawings, reports and other documentation. Cox Architecture, 2020.

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