Austin Park and Environs Heritage Area

The Austin Park and Environs Heritage Area including residences dating from the Victorian, Federation and Interwar periods. Austin Park with its mature elm trees and sloped form is also significant as is the early basalt kerbing and channelling to the streets.

The Austin Park and Environs Heritage Area is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Greater Geelong.

Historically, the Austin Park and Environs Heritage Area is significant as a residential area that consists mostly of Victorian period houses and includes several early examples of modest cottages that were once common but of which there are now relatively few within the Municipality. These cottages are representative of the modest housing that was erected in nearby areas of Geelong, close to the commercial centre during the mid-19th century.

The narrow lanes with small allotments were quickly developed in the mid-19th century following the initial land sales in the late 1840s and early 1950s. Corio Street, McCann Place and Fyfe Place were part of the original 1838 survey of Geelong, whilst other lanes, extending north and south from Corio Street, were laid out as land was further subdivided, providing access to the small residential allotments. The area had largely been developed by circa 1900, with a few infill houses constructed during the Federation and Interwar periods as the population of Geelong grew and the suburbs expanded.

Historically, the land now known as Austin Park is also significant as a site that remained undeveloped and was used in the early Victorian period for the grazing of residents animals and by local footballers. Austin Park was gazetted as a public park in 1885, a time when the Council was expanding the number of public parks and improving those already set aside as a way of beautifying the city. (Criterion A)

The Austin Park and Environs Heritage Area is of aesthetic significance as a cohesive area consisting mostly of Victorian residences, with a few later houses from the Federation and Interwar periods which have a similar character to the earlier dwellings. The significant and contributory buildings in the precinct are mostly modest, single storey cottages, with a mix of hipped and transverse gable roof types, all clad in corrugated metal sheeting. Houses are predominantly clad in weatherboards, though there are a couple of notable brick examples and one early rendered residence. The consistent scale, material palette and the limited (if any) setbacks, combined with the relatively narrow width of all streets creates a cohesive character that is distinct from other areas in Geelong. The remaining sections of early basalt kerbing and channelling also contribute to the character.

The precinct is enhanced by Austin Park which slopes down towards the bay, providing views of the harbour from Corio and England streets. Landscaped in the 1880s by John Raddenberry, the park has mature elm trees to its south, east and west boundaries. Unusually relatively modest houses surround the parkland. (Criterion E)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Residential Precinct