582-606 COLLINS STREET

The site is currently under demolition and is proposed for development but contained a four-level concrete and brick office building. It has no basement level but four stairwells and three list wells. The site adjoins H7822-1688 (610 Collins Street).  

 

The site contains three significant levels of historical occupation including the 1838-1848 Government Block which included the first surveyor's office, military barracks, guard room and police office. The first immigration depot occupied the site from 1848-1864 which comprised weatherboard structures with cooking and privy facilities. 

The land was subdivided in 1864 and contained a timberyard from 1865 until 1880. Brick stores were constructed in 1880 and occupied the area until the current structure was constructed in the 1980s. Evidence from the Melbourne ‘Buried Block’ deep fills modelling suggests that deep fills may survive in part of the southern area of the site. 

The site is of archaeological and historical significance. 

The site has the potential to contain intact historical archaeological deposits relating to the early government block (1838-1848) and the first gaol and immigration depot (1848-1864). Although there have been some impacts from later phases of historical archaeological occupation, it is likely that there is substantial fill across the site.