Koo Wee Rup Commercial Precinct

The Koo Wee Rup commercial precinct comprises much of the main commercial centre of Koo Wee Rup, which contains a number of early to mid-twentieth century commercial buildings, with the extent 275-297 and 272-300 Rossiter Road, and2-16 and 56-86 Station Street, Koo Wee Rup. The majority of the precinct is within the original township area, while the properties on the south-east side of Rossiter Road were created as the result of a 1920 subdivision. Most of the contributory buildings in the precinct were constructed between 1919 and 1940, a time when Koo Wee Rup was undergoing a period of significant growth. The majority are single-storey rendered brick shops, some with decorative parapets. There are three interwar garages, including one in the Spanish Mission style and one in the Streamlined Moderne style.

Buildings of individual significance are:

-The Dustings Garage

-The Wattle Theatre

-The ANZ Bank

-The G & L Light Mechanical Garage at 68 Station Street.

The buildings at 279-285, 276, 278, 280-282, 287, 290, 297 and 300 Rossiter Road and 56-58, 72-74 and 86 Station Street contribute to the significance of the precinct.

The buildings at 275-277 & 291 Rossiter Road, 2-6 Station Street and at the Telstra site on Station Street (Lots 1 & 2 TP853604) are not contributory.

How is it significant?

The Koo Wee Rup commercial precinct is of local historic significance to Cardinia Shire.

Why is it significant?

The Koo Wee Rup commercial precinct is historically significant as evidence of an important phase in the growth of Koo Wee Rup in the interwar period when it grew to become the most important commercial centre in Cranbourne Shire. It is also significant as a representative example of a mid twentieth century commercial precinct, which is typical of the self-contained centres formed around railway stations in country towns during that era. (RNE criteria A.4, D.2 and H.1)

Group

Commercial

Category

Commercial Precinct