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Australian Estates wool store

Other Name Listed as number 47 in the Maribyrnong Heritage Review Volume 3 pg. 182 Location 47-61 Sunshine Road, FOOTSCRAY WEST VIC 3012 - Property No 5131002000 File Number 20248 Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2] HO 160 (1) - Australian Estate [2/2] HO160 (2) - Australian Estate

Statement of Significance

The Australian Estates wool store is of regional historical and architectural significance, as one of the largest single wool store buildings in Victoria built on a grand scale with considerable architectural refinement. It represents a peak of pastoral development when Australia rode on the sheep's back and the culmination of the architecturally elaborate wool store designs, subsequent stores becoming bland clear span and tilt-slab sheds. The location on the fringe of Melbourne and in proximity to the railway and the connecting siding demonstrates its dependence on transport connections. The wool industry has played a significant role in the development of Victoria and Australia, and wool stores have been one of the most prominent building types in Melbourne's West. (Criterion A4) The building also relates to the Australian Estates Company, an influential agricultural finance and agency corporation. Architecturally this building represents the epitome of wool store design with the functional married seamlessly to the decorative. (Criterion F1)