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Wimmera Heritage Area
LocationWimmera Heritage Area LevelIncluded in Heritage Overlay |
Statement of Significance
The Wimmera Heritage Area has significance for its notable
concentration of interwar housing stock constructed in the 1920s and
1930s, and for its smaller number of postwar Bungalows built after the
Second World War. These dwellings are a physical embodiment of the
aspirations of original low-middle income population of the area. The
dwellings are single storey with detached and mainly asymmetrical
compositions and feature hipped and gabled roof forms, front and/or
side verandahs, timber weatherboard wall construction (there are a
small number of dwellings of brick construction), corrugated sheet
metal roof cladding and timber framed double hung windows. The
dwellings are situated on mainly regular, rectangular allotments. An
historic landmark in the area is the former 'Sunnyside' property at
206 High Street. Although altered and extended, the front Edwardian
design qualities are clearly discernible. The regular front setbacks,
visually permeable flat and capped timber picket, timber post and
woven wire and low solid brick front fencing - which allow views to
front garden settings - and the grassed nature strips, contribute to
the streetscape qualities of the area. Although initially subdivided
as the Belmont Hill Estate in 1911 (south of Roslyn Road) and Belmont
Heights Estate in 1913 (north side of Roslyn Road), it was not until
after the First World War when housing development progressed. From
the interwar period the area became more attractive as a result of
electricity and mains water supplies and its close proximity to bus
and tram services. The Wimmera Heritage Area is architecturally significant at a LOCAL
level (AHC D.2). It demonstrates original and early design qualities
associated with the interwar and early postwar Bungalow residential
development. These qualities include the single storey, detached,
dwellings having hipped and/or gabled roof forms (with a pitch between
20 and 35 degrees), front and/or side verandahs (of designs and
construction reflecting the designs of the dwellings), timber
weatherboard wall cladding (with a smaller number of brick wall
construction), corrugated sheet metal roof cladding, timber framed
double hung windows, wide eaves, projecting chimneys, timber
weatherboard or brick wall construction, corrugated profile sheet
metal or tiled roof cladding, timber framed double hung windows and
front or side verandahs (with detailing matching the style of the
dwelling). The detailing to the dwellings is economical but typical
for the interwar era, including decorative gable infill (timber
shingling and ventilators or battening and paneling) and brick
verandah piers (expressed as one pier or with squat concrete verandah
columns). The regular front and side setbacks and rectangular
allotments, predominant rear or side location of garages and carports,
and low-medium height fences also contribute to the significance of
the place. The Wimmera Heritage Area is aesthetically significant at a LOCAL
level (AHC E.1). It demonstrates important visual qualities that
reflect the historical and residential development of the area. These
qualities include the front garden settings and the grassed nature
strips. The Paperbark, Bottlebrush and Lilly Pilly trees in Cambridge
and Oxford Streets provide additional aesthetic value to these
streets. The Wimmera Heritage Area is historically significant at a LOCAL
level (AHC A.4) for its associations with interwar and early postwar
housing development that transformed the area from rural open paddocks
into a residential suburb. Although initially subdivided as the
Belmont Hill Estate in 1911 (south of Roslyn Road) and Belmont Heights
Estate in 1912 (north side of Roslyn Road), it was not until after the
First World War when housing development progressed. From the interwar
period the area became more attractive as a result of electricity and
mains water supplies and its close proximity to bus and tram services.
Other subdivisions and land sales in the 1920s contributed to the
transformation of the area. These included the Sutton Estate of 1922
which caused the formation of Wimmera Street (as a result of the sale
of part of Fred Wurfel's property), subdivision of the eastern portion
of George Sprake's 'Sunnyside' estate in c.1929 (to create Union
Street), and the sale of the Jacob's Estate in c.1925 (on the north
side of Roslyn Road, west end). The influx of population to the area
had occupations that drew their business from the growing community,
including mechanics, butchers, builders, carpenters, painters and
decorators, labourers and electricians. The former 'Sunnyside' farm
house (now 'Nangatta' hostel) at 206 High Street is the only surviving
pre-interwar property in the area. While altered and substantially
extended, it remains a local historical landmark. Overall, the Wimmera Heritage Area is of LOCAL significance.
Group
Residential buildings (private)
Category
Residential Precinct