FORMER MELBOURNE MORGUE AND CORONERS COURT

The site has the potential to contain features and artefacts relating to the former City Morgue and Coroner’s courthouse that was situated along the Yarra Bank Road, later Batman Avenue, and now Birrarung Marr Park. 

The Former Morgue at Yarra Bank Road, now Birrarung Marr Park, was the first purpose-built coroner’s courthouse in Melbourne and is of historical significance to the State of Victoria (Criterion A). The site is also important due to its strong association with Dr. Richard Youl (1821-1897), Medical practitioner and City Coroner (Criterion H). The high degree of disturbance from development activity has significantly compromised the sites archaeological integrity but there exists the possibility that archaeological remains might survive in the form of structural remnants and related artefact deposits (Criterion C). 

The former Morgue and Coroners Courthouse at Yarra Bank Road is important in the course of Victoria’s cultural history as it represented the first building of its kind in the state (Criterion A). The complex, built in the Queen Anne style, was designed by Mr. G. Watson of the Public Works Department and served the city and state from 1888 to 1951. Any archaeological finds or features associated with the Morgue would be of significance in providing insight into the construction and operation of this facility (Criterion C).