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Tramway Woodblocking

Location

Royal Parade,, PARKVILLE VIC 3052 - Property No B6831

File Number

B6831

Level

State

Statement of Significance

Woodblocking located at Royal Parade, Parkville and Victoria Parade, at Brunswick Street and Victoria Parade, at Smith Street.(Victoria Street sites now removed)
Statement of Significance.
Wooden block paving was used internationally in the mid 19th century and came into service in Melbourne during the 1880s when the great forests of western Australia were being milled. The forests supplied the world with hard wearing timber and Melbourne with wood block paving. Of all the hardwoods tried, Jarrah was the most suitable because it was hard wearing and did not expand when wet.
Wood blocks were initially used for general street pavement, having superior wearing and riding qualities to bluestone pitchers. They also proved the ideal paving for Melbourne's cable and, later, electric tramway reservations. Wood blocks were able to handle heavy loads, and withstood the transition from horse to motorised vehicles, carrying Melbourne's heavy traffic for half a century.
Wood blocks also made a major contribution to Melbourne's sanitation. The smooth surface created did not retain any of the animal waste which was swept and hosed down daily in city streets during the horse era.
There is now only about 100 metres remaining of the once-extensive woodblock paving of Melbourne's city and inner suburban streets and of the metropolitan tramway system.
Classified: 20/03/1998

Group