Fagan Park, Arcadia Road, Galston Conservation Management Plan Prepared by Chris Betteridge BSc MSc(Museum Studies) AMA MUSEcape Pty Ltd 42 Botany Street Randwick NSW 2031 Tel: (02) 9314 6642 Fax: (02) 9398 7086 E-mail: [email protected] for Hornsby Shire Council November 2003 2 Front cover: Main visitor entry point to Fagan Park from Arcadia Road. (Photo: C Betteridge, 24 April 2003) ___________________________________________________________________________________ Fagan Park Chris Betteridge, Musecape Pty Ltd Conservation Management Plan November 2003 3 Table of Contents Foreword.................................................................................................................... 7 1 Executive Summary............................................................................................ 8 1.1 The Brief................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Scope of Work.......................................................................................................... 8 1.3 Natural and Cultural Significance............................................................................. 8 1.4 Constraints, Issues and Opportunities ..................................................................... 9 1.5 Conservation Policies, Strategies & Actions ............................................................ 9 1.5.1 Conservation of Significance.............................................................................................9 1.5.2 Site Interpretation............................................................................................................10 1.5.3 New Developments .........................................................................................................10 1.5.4 Maintenance and Repairs ...............................................................................................11 1.5.5 Archives and Research ...................................................................................................11 1.5.6 Public Access and Safety................................................................................................11 1.5.7 Site Security....................................................................................................................11 1.5.8 Movable Heritage ............................................................................................................12 1.5.9 Community Participation .................................................................................................12 1.5.10 Endorsement, Adoption and Review of the Plan ........................................................12 1.6 The Future.............................................................................................................. 12 1.7 References and Appendices .................................................................................. 12 2 Introduction........................................................................................................14 2.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 14 2.2 Objectives and Structure of the Plan...................................................................... 14 2.3 Where this Plan Applies ......................................................................................... 14 2.4 Methodology........................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 16 2.6 Authorship .............................................................................................................. 16 2.7 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................. 17 2.8 Abbreviations Used ....................................................................................................... 18 3 Documentary Evidence......................................................................................18 3.1 Thematic Approach ................................................................................................ 18 3.2 Chronological Historical Context............................................................................ 19 3.3 Ability to Demonstrate ............................................................................................ 23 3.3.1 Australian National Themes ............................................................................................23 3.3.2 State Historical Themes ..................................................................................................23 3.3.3 Local Themes..................................................................................................................24 4 Physical Evidence..............................................................................................25 4.1 The Environmental Context.................................................................................... 25 4.2 Site Description ...................................................................................................... 25 4.2.1 Landform, Geology and Soils..........................................................................................25 4.2.2 Indigenous Vegetation ....................................................................................................26 4.2.3 Indigenous Fauna ...........................................................................................................27 4.2.4 Views and Vistas.............................................................................................................27 4.2.5 The Designed Landscape ...............................................................................................29 4.2.6 Buildings and Other Structures .......................................................................................29 4.2.7 Movable Heritage ............................................................................................................29 4.2.8 Archival Material..............................................................................................................30 5 Assessment of Natural and Cultural Significance ..............................................31 5.1 Basis for Assessment............................................................................................. 31 5.1.1 Cultural Heritage Assessment Process and Criteria .......................................................31 5.1.2 Natural Heritage Assessment Process and Criteria ........................................................33 5.2 Previous Significance Assessments ...................................................................... 34 5.2.1 Hornsby Shire Heritage Study 1992................................................................................34 5.2.2 Hornsby Shire Local Environmental Plan........................................................................34 5.2.3 Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Assessment Report.............................................................34 5.2.4 Statement of Heritage Impact for Proposed Showground Facility...................................35 5.3 Assessment of Significance .......................................................................................... 36 5.3 Comparative Analysis ............................................................................................ 38 5.4 Determination of Curtilage ..................................................................................... 39 5.4.1 Definition of Curtilage......................................................................................................39 ___________________________________________________________________________________ Fagan Park Chris Betteridge, Musecape Pty Ltd Conservation Management Plan November 2003 4 5.4.2 Recommended Curtilage for Fagan Park........................................................................39 5.4.3 Park Character Zones .....................................................................................................39 5.4.4 Heritage Control Zones ...................................................................................................40 5.5 General Statement of Significance......................................................................... 42 5.5.1 Statement for Fagan Park ...............................................................................................42 5.6 Identification of Significant Elements ..................................................................... 43 5.6.1 Grading of Significance ...................................................................................................43 5.7 Draft State Heritage Inventory form ....................................................................... 44 6 Issues, Constraints and Opportunities ...............................................................45 6.1 Constraints arising from Cultural Significance ....................................................... 45 6.2 Constraints arising from the Burra Charter of Australia ICOMOS ......................... 45 6.3 Statutory Constraints and Obligations arising from Non-statutory listings............. 49 6.3.1 Australian Heritage Commission Act, 1975.....................................................................49 6.3.2 NSW Heritage Act 1977 and Heritage