Review of Heritage Overlay 1 Port Melbourne ... - City of Port Phillip

Figure 16
Detail of Heritage Overlay map, showing the relationship between the existing
HO1 precinct south of Graham Street. (outlined in red) and DDO1 (outlined in
blue).
3.3 Part 4a – Identification of smaller sub-precincts
Discussion:
The Project Brief required the reassessment of HO1 with a view to the identification of
‘smaller, more detailed and relevant/consistent areas and the corresponding boundaries’
[Part 4a, refer p. 5 of the Project Brief]. This is as a response to the scale and diversity of
the area within HO1 and a perceived need to identify smaller areas with identifiable qualities
and characteristics. It was considered that the identification of such areas and the
preparation of more detailed citations reflecting their specific qualities and characteristics
would assist the City of Port Phillip in its assessment of planning applications.
In considering this issue, the historical themes identified in the earlier conservation studies
were considered and the statement of significance for the existing HO1 was also reviewed.
Out of this review, it is evident that one of the key attributes of the Port Melbourne HO1 area
is its ability - in the breadth of the area - to demonstrate themes in the development of a
working class maritime suburb developed from the mid-nineteenth century with some
development also into the early twentieth century. While Williamstown is the other key
example in Melbourne of such a suburb, there are significant differences between the two.
The area as a whole contains extensive areas of nineteenth century workers’ housing,
substantial numbers of hotels (for which Port Melbourne was well known), a range of
nineteenth and early twentieth century industrial buildings, a fine predominantly nineteenth
century commercial shopping strip (Bay Street), and handsome civic and community
buildings (town hall, police station and courthouse, fire station and others). The area also
retains evidence of the transport links which underpinned the development of Port
L O V E L L C H E N 23