WEATHERBOARD HOUSE, 780 HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE RD, Hurstbridge

REVISED STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE, CONTEXT, 2010

What is significant?
The c1915 house, which was formerly the Hurstbridge police station, the gabled outbuilding and the surrounding site to the extent of the title boundaries.

How is it significant?
The house and the associated gabled outbuilding are historically significant to the Shire of Nillumbik.

Why is it significant?
The house is historically significant as one of only three remaining pre-1920 houses that were built opposite the railway station, following the opening of the railway line in 1912, and because it is a reminder of the town's growth following the railway's completion (Criteria A & B). The house is historically significant for it connections to the pioneering orchardist George Apted and the Hurstbridge Cool Stores, and because it was later used as the Hurstbridge Police Station (c1935-1954), while the gabled outbuilding reputedly served as the police lock-up (Criteria A & H).

BUTLER STUDY, 2001
Revised statement of significance

Given its good state of external preservation as seen from the street (if not condition) the house is significant to the Nillumbik Shire:

. For its close association with early police work in Hurstbridge;

. For its association with early suburban land development arising from the advent of the railway;

. As one of three surviving pre 1920 houses built opposite the new railway station; and

. For its initial connection with the pioneering orchardist, Apted, and the Hurstbridge Cool Stores which was in turn associated with the major primary industry in the area at that time.

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Most probably constructed after the coming of the railway in 1912, this building is a significant streetscape element and one of just three surviving pre 1920 houses that were built opposite the Railway Station. The opening of the railway line had a major impact on the growth of Hurstbridge and this house is the southernmost of a very largely intact group of buildings from that period that still form the heard of the town. Only Allwood further north on the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road predates the coming of the railway.

BASIS OF SIGNIFICANCE:
ILLUSTRATION OF THE THEME
STREETSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE

DEGREE OF SIGNIFICANCE LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE

EXTENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: ENTIRE BUILDING AND SITE

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House