Rotary Lookout Tower

Statement of Significance

Marlston Hill has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
it has strong landmark qualities as a dominant natural landscape feature;
its nomenclature is associated historically with Surveyor J.S. Roe from his homeland, England;
Strategic planning for a high-class inner-city mixed-use precinct at Marlston Hill represents an outward sign of the growth and maturity of the Port City of Bunbury; and
the place has been the location from which many historic photographs have been taken of the city and town of Bunbury.

Physical Description

Marlston Hill is a natural feature consisting of a high sand dune hill overlooking Koombana Bay and the Indian Ocean, located at the northern most end of the Bunbury Central Business District. This elevated site has been used for many purposes e.g. lookout point; site of previous lighthouses; place for industrial fuel storage tanks; and is currently a showcase precinct for mixed-use high density residential and commercial use. Many photographs of Bunbury down through the years can be linked to shots taken from Marlston Hill, providing a unique set of documents for comparative analysis.

At the top of the hill is a reinforced concrete lookout tower. See entry B001.2

History

Marlston Hill has been known by several different names over the last century. The Aboriginal name for it is Bulligup/Bullyup and in 1841 it was known as Flagstaff Hill. There is also reference in an 1841 hydrographic survey of Koombana Bay and environs by John Lort Stokes of the “Beagle” of the feature being called Signal Hill.

The name Marlston Hill appears on cadastral maps as early as June 1849 and is thought to be given by Surveyor S. J Roe, after the Marlston House Hermitage in Newbury in Berkshire, England (owned by a family named Bunbury). Roe was born in 1797 near Newbury, where his father was the local rector.

Marlston Hill is the highest part of the harbour area and was used as a trigg point for the original town survey in 1841. A lighthouse was built on top of the hill c 1870. It was replaced in 1901 and relocated to another position on Marlston Drive in 1971. (See B001.2 and B112)

Marlston Hill was also an industrial area and then in 1988, the Rotary Club built Lookout Tower on top of the hill with funds from the community and Bicentennial grants. The Rotary Tower is used a popular lookout and hosts telecommunications equipment.

In 1996 an urban renewal program began on Marston Hill which aimed at rezoning the land and removing any sign of industry. This resulted in the rapid growth of the area with housing and commercial premises, as well as the establishment of Jetty Park. Jetty Park recognizes the maritime heritage of the area with a nautical theme and uses timber from the old Bunbury timber jetty for bollards and tree guards. Walkways link the area with the CBD.

The Marlston Hill Redevelopment Project was officially opened by the Minister for Lands, Doug Shave, in February 1998. The aim of the project was to create a seamless flow of development between the city and the water. The project won the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s National Award for Urban Renewal in 2000. The place now provides business, recreational and lifestyle opportunities.

Integrity/Authenticity

Marlston Hill
Low to Medium degree of integrity (original intent not clear, current use has redeveloped the area).
Low degree of authenticity with much change having occurred.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.