Review of Environmental Factors - Transport for NSW - NSW ...

Heritage Branch Website - Online Databasehttp://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=5055121Page 2 of 523/08/2011The buildings and their location have social significance due to thecommunity of past residents and their descendants who have strongemotional ties to the site and still live in the Wollongong district.Date Significance Updated: 25 Oct 06Note: There are incomplete details for a number of items listed in NSW.The Heritage Branch intends to develop or upgrade statements ofsignificance and other information for these items as resources becomeavailable.DescriptionDesigner/Maker:Unknown (Original Nissen Hut designed by Lieutenant Colonel PeterNorman Nissen)Builder/Maker:Concrete Constructions Pty LtdConstruction Years: 1950 - 1951Physical Description: Nissen Huts and Quonset HutsBuilding 201 - Former Migrant Hostel Kitchen/Dining Room, then auniversity science centre and currently conserved, refurbished andused as a child care facility. The building has three parts: a singlestorey weatherboard clad kitchen area with clerestory ventilation; a100ft. x 41ft. Quonset hut with curved corrugated steel roof/walls; agable roofed corrugated steel clad extensionBuilding 204 - Former Migrant hostel Laundry Exchange, next theuniversity library/ bookstore and now conserved and ready foroccupation by unspecified university services. The building has twoparts. The western section is a 25 ft x 43 ft Nissen hut. The easternsection c.1980 concrete block and metal deck structure.Building 210 - Former Migrant Hostel staff residence, now conserved,refurbished and awaiting occupation by unspecified universityservices. This is a 21ft. x 53 ft. Quonset hut.Physical Condition and/orArchaeological Potential:Modifications and Dates:The condition of the buildings is excellent, following thoroughconservation carried out in 2004/5. The larger Quonset hut (building201) is in use as a childcare facility. Buildings 204 and 210 are readyfor occupation by University of Wollongong services. Buildings 204and 210 have been moved from their former flood-prone location toa raised berm near building 201. Improved site drainage protectsbuilding 201 from all but one-in-one-hundred-year flooding. There islittle archaeological potential however there is substantialdocumentary evidence available, and former residents of the hostelstill around to be able to tell the story of the site without the needfor archaeological work. Date Condition Updated: 14 Sep 06Since closure of the Hostel, in 1982, the buildings had been adapted,some repeatedly, for use by the University of Wollongong. All threebuildings were conseverd in 2005. The larger Quonset hut (building201) is in use as a childcare facility. Buildings 204 and 210 are readyfor occupation by University of Wollongong services. In 2005,buildings 204 and 210 were moved from their former flood-pronelocation to a raised berm immediately to the west of building 201.The berm also protects building 210 from flooding on its western sidewhile improved site drainage to the north and east protects it fromall but one-in-one-hundred-year flooding.HistoryHistorical Notes:The buildings numbered 201, 204, and 210 are remnants of theBalgownie Migrant Workers Hostel. The Hostel was constructed inlate 1950 and 1951 as a migrant workers hostel to meet the demandfor housing created by a Commonwealth government policy forincreased immigration.At the same time around the rest of the state there were numerous