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Former Supreme Court

Other Name The Ballarat School of Mines & Industries Location Lydiard Street,, BALLARAT CENTRAL VIC 3350 - Property No B4182 File Number B4182 Level Local

[1/2] B4182 Fmr Supreme Court [2/2] B4182 Fmr Supreme Court

Statement of Significance

The former Supreme Court, Ballarat was erected in 1866/7 by the Public Works Department. The contractors were Wright and Smith. Soon after its opening the building, which was suffering from subsidence, was relinquished by the Law Department to the School of Mines.
This is a comparatively large provincial court house and exhibits an unusual massing with pavilion forms flanking a recessed central arcade. The facade decoration is austere and relfects the architectural principles of William Wardell, the Inspector-General of Works at the time of the construction. A further unusual feature is the rear open gallery which is supported on a fine rusticated bluestone base. The Former Court House is a notable example in the Lydiard Street precinct.
The external appearance has been modified by the removal of the front chimneys, the glazing of the front colonade and minor alterations to side and rear elevations.
Classified: 19/03/1981