ANZ BANK
2 MALOP STREET GEELONG, GREATER GEELONG CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
A branch of the Bank of Australasia was first opened for business in Geelong in 1846. In 1854 an allotment on the corner of Malop and Gheringhap Streets, Geelong was purchased and the existing bank building constructed in 1859-60 to designs by Melbourne architects, Purchas and Swyer. A number of banks were built at the west end of Malop Street at this time as it was assumed that the town would develop around the railway station. The Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank amalgamated in 1951 and the Australian and New Zealand Bank was formed.
The two main facades of the three storey bank building were constructed of Barrabool Hills sandstone in an Italian Renaissance palazzo style. By 1956 these stone facades had deteriorated to such an extent that a brick veneer was applied over the existing facades and the original external features were concealed. In 1977 extensive additions were made to the rear of the building, necessitating the demolition of such rooms as the kitchen, scullery, clerk’s room, stationery room and one strong room. This two storey extension was connected to the original bank building and openings were created in the banking chamber to connect the two sections. The existing interior, which had been retained, was restored at this time.
The business portion of the premises occupied the ground floor and the private areas occupied the upper two floors. The banking chamber, entered through a cedar vestibule, is of double height, lit by ornamental glass panels in the ceiling, covered externally by sloping skylights. The chamber features strongly modelled plasterwork, such as a rich Ionic cornice, panelled ceiling and wall pilasters, and cedar counters. A number of the ancillary rooms on the ground floor remain and retain their original decoration. The manager’s room retains an original speaking tube to the drawing room, dining room and bedroom above.
The manager’s residence occupied the two upper floors with access provided by a separate entrance through double doors from Gheringhap Street, and an unusual oval spiral staircase with wrought iron balusters. The dining room and drawing room of the first floor are decorated elaborately, while the second floor rooms are less decorative.
How is it significant?
The interior of the ANZ Bank, Malop Street, Geelong is of aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The ANZ Bank, Geelong is of aesthetic significance as a highly intact mid-nineteenth century bank interior. The banking chamber, with its strongly modelled plasterwork, glass ceiling lights and cedar fittings; and the unusual spiral staircase are of particular note. The retention of the decoration in subsidiary public rooms and such private rooms as the dining and drawing rooms on the first floor, add to the assemblage of intact interiors.
The interior of the ANZ Bank, Geelong is of historical significance as an illustrative example of a large banking complex of the nineteenth century. The scale of the building, and the incorporation of the manager’s residence, demonstrates the importance of the bank at that time, and the richly decorated interior of the residence indicates the status of the bank manager in this period. The retention of a speaking tube between the manager’s office and rooms upstairs is an important remnant of the nineteenth century bank.
[Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]
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ANZ BANK - History
A branch of the Bank of Australasia was first opened for business in Geelong in 1846. In 1854 an allotment on the corner of Malop and Gheringhap Streets, Geelong was purchased and the existing bank building constructed in 1859-60 to designs by Melbourne architects, Purchas and Swyer. A number of banks were built at the west end of Malop Street at this time as it was assumed that the town would develop around the railway station. The Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank amalgamated in 1951 and the Australian and New Zealand Bank was formed.
The draft statement of significance and the above history were produced as part of an Online Data Upgrade Project 2004. Sources were as follows:
D. Crouch. D. McIntosh and S. Spencer. Conservation Analysis Report of the Bank of Australasia, Geelong. 1988ANZ BANK - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.Specific Exemptions:General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component.General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan provides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan.
General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.
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