Point Heathcote Lower Land

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Statement of Significance

Point Heathcote Lower Land, the level ground adjoining on the northeast and east sides of the former Heathcote Hospital located on the high ground at Point Heathcote, comprising a level cleared sports field created from land filling the former river marshland with some remnant indigenous vegetation and mature introduced tree species generally exotic, is a place of considerable cultural significance for the following reasons: the place has direct associational value with the extant former Heathcote Hospital complex located on the high ground to the west of the Lower Land; the place retains its transformed characteristics whereby the original river marshland was cleared, filled, levelled and developed as a sports field for use in association with the Heathcote Hospital; the place is historically important for its original association through use by Aboriginal people, and subsequently from the 1840s with European settlers who used the land for grazing and who acquired parts of the subdivided Point Heathcote site, and for acquisition by the State Government in the 1920s for establishment of The Point Heathcote Reception Home opened in 1929; the place is historically significant for its association with Captain Stirling in 1827 and Captain Fremantle in 1829, both visiting the site in the process of exploration for European settlement; the place is of social importance for its original use by Aboriginal people and subsequently by white settlers, by the patients and staff of The Point Heathcote Reception Home and Point Heathcote Hospital, and most recently since closure of the Hospital for management by the City of Melville and use of the land in conjunction with the Heathcote Hospital buildings as a place for passive recreation and public access.

Physical Description

Point Heathcote Lower Land is an element of the original The Point Heathcote Reception Home opened in 1929. Preparation of the Lower Land was a deliberate exercise to create a recreational sports ground incorporating a cricket pitch, and later three associated buildings which are no longer extant. Those later buildings were located in the northeast corner of the Lower Land and were constructed for use as rehabilitation buildings, dating from 1939-49 and 1950-69. A proposed pavilion to be erected in the northwest corner of the sports ground does not appear to have been built. A Public Works Department Drawing 24429 dated 4 January 1926 described the Lower Land as ‘Future Cricket and Sports Ground’. It is that open sports ground ringed with tree planting to most of the perimeter which survives as a level area, turfed, and retaining a concrete cricket pitch in the centre of the ground. The turf and the cricket pitch are now in a deteriorated condition. Preparation of the site by clearing and levelling, has removed the indigenous landscape. At the northern edge a section of river marshland and paperbarks appears to be the sole remnant of early original landscape. The perimeter of the Lower Land, and in particular at the northeast, southeast and southwest corners, contains stands of indigenous tree species and a predominant number of introduced trees, all generally mature and some in distressed condition. An 1827 record by Charles Fraser, Colonial Botanist of New South Wales, who visited the Point Heathcote site with Captain James Stirling in 1827, noted the ‘magnificent Banksias and Dryandras, a remarkable species of Grevillea, a species of Leptospermum, and a great dwarf species of Calytris'. Few of these trees are present on site, and some species not at all. The dominant species on site are now peppermints, she-oaks, two conifers, wattles, sugar gums or lemon scented gums and other indigenous eucalypts, tuart, zamias, liquidambar, London plane, oleander, flame, box, paperbark and considerable introduced grasses and weed infestations. In the carpark area there are olives, cape lilacs, oaks and other exotic species. The planting in the northeast corner indicates a more sophisticated garden development incorporating a wide range of introduced exotics, in association with the buildings that formally were located in that area. A gravel carpark in poor condition is located at the northeast corner of the Lower Land, adjacent to Duncraig Road. The embankment which divides the Lower Land from the high ground along the western end retains some indigenous tree growth, generally Banksias and zamia palms, and weed infestation. A cyclone mesh fence extends along the northern boundary between the level ground and an introduced pedestrian/cycle path.

History

The Beeliar Nyoongars used Point Heathcote as a camp site and hunting ground. The Aboriginal name for Point Heathcote is 'Goollugatup', the place of children. Point Heathcote was the landing place and campsite of Captain James Stirling in an exploratory expedition in 1827, an expedition to determine the potential for settlement for a townsite. Later in 1829 on 2 May, Captain Fremantle visited the Point Heathcote headland on his exploration of the river lands. Point Heathcote was a serious consideration for settlement. The Lower Land at Point Heathcote would have been part of that investigation, in the context of the landform of the Lower Land in the early 19th century possibly as a river marshland with indigenous woodland, below the prominence of the high ground as a landmark part of the Point Heathcote site. The landform of the Lower Land and of the embankment at that time is conjectural. Charles Fraser, Colonial Botanist of New South Wales, who accompanied Stirling on his 1827 exploration, commented favourably, somewhat enthusiastically, about the indigenous landscape on the site, including presumably the landscape of the Lower Land which bordered the river foreshore to the west, the north and the east. Fraser also noted the abundance of fresh water on the beach, sourced by scratching the sand close to the surface. Records indicate that settlement at Point Heathcote was slow to establish, on the grounds of a fear of attack from Aborigines who inhabited the site as well as apprehension about fire in an isolated site well away from the settlements at Fremantle and Perth. The headland was part of the traditional lands of Midgergooroo and his son Yagan, whose presence at the site continued into the 1830s. The Lower Land and its potential as a food resource and close association with the river would have been important to the Aborigines. From the 1840s until the mid-1890s, the Point Heathcote site was used by European settlers for grazing of horses and cattle. By the mid-1890s, as a consequence of improved communication and transport in the Colony, the pattern of land use changed dramatically. Subdivision for residential development ensued. • Lionel Lukin (1801-1863) a farmer and pastoralist was the first settler to be granted 300 hectares at Swan Loc. 61, later extended to 440 hectares in 1841. • Alfred Waylen (1805-1856) bought Swan Loc. 61 in September 1842 when Lukin mortgaged his holding and failed to meet repayments. Waylen from Capetown had an inn and was Director of the Agricultural Society in 1841. • John Wellard (1825-1885) bought the property from Waylen in 1856 for grazing purposes. Wellard was a surveyor, storekeeper, hotelkeeper in Fremantle, Chandler & partner with William Padbury. • Silas and George Pearse (1808-1866 and 1839-1914) purchased Lots 61 and 74 at the time of Wellard’s bankruptcy in 1865. The land continued to be used for grazing. The Pearse’s were ferrymen in Fremantle and dairy farmers with a large business as butchers. Both were prominent in civic affairs and Local Government. • William McMillan bought the land in 1886 and sold on to the Western Australian Land Co. Ltd. in 1892. • Alexander Matheson bought Swan Loc. 61 and the nearby Swan Locs. 73 and 74; the land was then subdivided in 1896 by the Melville Park Estate Co. of which Matheson was a Director. • The Christian Brothers in 1909 showed interest in acquiring the land, without resolution until 1918. Between 1923 and 1927, the Christian Brothers’ land was bought by the State Government, together with other smaller lots in private ownership. The Point Heathcote land was promoted in 1920 by the Melville Roads Board and local members of Parliament to Premier James Mitchell for purchase by the Government for use as a pleasure resort. Subsequently in 1926, The Point Heathcote Reception Home was designed by the Public Works Department under the jurisdiction of Government Architect W. B. Hardwick, to address overcrowding at the Claremont Hospital for the Insane, and to provide treatment and care for patients with mental disorders who were considered to be recoverable, as opposed to the senile, epileptic or mentally deficient. The institution was opened in 1929 and continued in operation as a place of peace and tranquillity until closure in 1994. The Heathcote Hospital, in its entirety of buildings on the high ground and the sports field on the Lower Land, was vested in the City of Melville for management as a place of community use in the late 1990s. The Lower Land has remained in that management, but not refurbished for the proposed recreational use pending the completion of a Management Plan by the City.

Condition

Deteriorated.

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Heathcote Hospital Precinct (fmr), Applecross

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Heathcote Hospital is significant on the following grounds: Aesthetic Value: A cohesive group of buildings with a clock tower highlighting it's prominent position on the foreshore. Social Value: The choice of the site was made on the basis that its attractive environment would be therapeutic for the patients. Authenticity: The buildings are intact. Historic Value: Site named after midshipman Heathcote who was a member of Stirling's exploration party up the Swan River. Considered as possible site for the capital city for the infant colony in 1829.

Physical Description

The original buildings, with the exception of the Nurses’ Quarters and the Water Tower, are single-storey and constructed in red brickwork with hipped terra cotta tiled roofs. Joinery is timber painted white, with windows generally in six-light balance-hung sashes. Verandas are provided to shelter the interiors, to act as transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors, and as useful spaces for the residents. Decoration, where it does occur, is constrained. There is no decorative woodwork except to timber brackets supporting hoods to the projecting pavilion of the earliest buildings. Flush solider courses, in face brick walls above and below openings, simple projecting courses to chimneys, arched motifs to the parapets of central pavilions and ventilation cupolas on the centre point of the roof to the earlier buildings, provide the only decorative relief to what is otherwise a simple pallet of single-storey, restrained, domestic buildings for residential and administrative use. The Kitchen Block is faithful to the same architectural vocabulary, and includes a functional glazed roof-light over the central space. The style of the earliest buildings is undistinguished, demonstrating a progression of building form which development out of a rejection of the exuberance of the Edwardian and Federation style through the economics of modernism and the Wars. These buildings are representative of institutional design in the 1920s and 1930s. The architectural merit of the earlier buildings derives from their consistency of materials and elements in the context of a garden environment. Notwithstanding the abuses to which some buildings have been subjected, they provide externally, through the use of verandas and garden spaces between and around buildings, an ambiance which is commendable and not to be found in the more recent buildings dating from the 1960s. The Water Tower is a landmark building, critical to the overall development and distinguishable from spaces between buildings on the site as well as from vistas across the river. This Tower is a masterly piece of design and a rare element of significance in the architectural development of the Hospital. The more recent buildings vary substantially in architectural character from the original buildings and from each other. They present no significant architectural or environmental character, but identify as deterioration in the built environment of the Hospital. The original Nurses’ Quarters on the southern periphery of the Hospital are a two-storey red brick building, sympathetic in character with the Hospital buildings. A modern addition detracts from the simple and representative character of the original building. The Nurses’ Quarters are not included in Heathcote.

History

Prior to European settlement, the Heathcote area was known by the indigenous Beeliar people as “Kooyagoordup” – the place of the “Kooya”, a species of frog – as permanent lookout, fishing and camping ground. From the 1840s, Point Heathcote was used for grazing horses and cattle. In the 1890s, Alexander Matheson subdivided the surrounding area for residential development with the Point remaining as original bushland. Point Heathcote was one of the landing and cap sites of Captain James Stirling during his exploration of the Swan River in 1827. His intention was to assess the potential of the district for settlement. At this time, although there was no subsequent report of its condition, a garden was planted at the site to assess soil productivity. This was one of several experimental plantings made by the party of whom the Colonial Government botanist, Charles Fraser, was a member. Point Heathcote was named after Midshipman G. C Heathcote, said to have been the first European to land there. Following the decision to establish a Colony of free settlers, Point Heathcote was favourably considered as the site of capital city in 1829. However, Stirling explained to the Permanent Under Secretary for the Colonies, R. W. Hay, he had chosen the Perth site as it was well timbered, had good water and better facilitated communication between the capital and both agriculturalists on the Upper Swan and commercial interests at the port of Fremantle. The Point Heathcote Reception Centre was designed in 1926 under the direction of W. B. Hardwick, the Government Architect. The Centre, situated on twenty-three acres of land at the junction of the Swan and Canning Rivers was commenced departmentally in 1926-27 and provided for seventy-six patients, thirty-eight of each sex. The need for a new facility had arisen due to the conditions at Claremont, where overcrowding, the enclosed surroundings and the increasing number of patients had rendered Claremont unsuitable for all cases of mental ill-health. A section of the Lunacy Act allowed for voluntary patients, but this section was seldom used, as patients did not volunteer to enter an institution such as Claremont. In 1924, after a report on the inadequacies of facilities, it was decided that a new reception centre should be provided. Eight hectares of land had been purchased from the Catholic Church in 1923 for this purpose. The Christian Brothers had secured the land in 1918 with the intention of establishing a boy’s school, using the land until 1923 as a holiday retreat. Heathcote was described as a ‘home for the reception of recoverable patients, and not for senile, epileptic, or mentally deficient patients’. Thus the use of Heathcote for recoverable patients implied that those who went to Claremont were not recoverable, and this policy had a bad effect on Claremont for some fifty years. The Water Tower (now Clock Tower) was designed in 1928, by Principal Architect Tait, successor to Hardwick. Point Heathcote Reception Home was completed by early 1929. The official opening ceremony was conducted by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Robert McMillan, on 22nd February, 1929. A new treatment block (Swan house) was added in 1940, for a further twenty-six patients, designed by the Government Architect, A. E. Clare, and marked a change in the style and pattern of development. More recent buildings, dating from 22nd February 1962 include Avon House (1972), the Occupational Therapy Buildings and the Hall. These have had different programmatic requirements due to changes in the nature of the services provided by Heathcote. Post-war development did not attempt to reflect the style, character, typology or site planning principles of the earlier development. Heathcote finally closed in 1994 and discussions began in 1997 between Government and the City of Melville to restore the place and use the site for community purposes.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Some Extent of Original Fabric: Much

Condition

Sound

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Jacaranda & Plane Trees

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Applecross has streets lined with mature jacaranda trees and plane trees which provide an important environmental character to the Applecross location. The extent of the mature plantings reinforces the character of the tree species, the suitability for verge planting, and an enhancement of the residential district.

Physical Description

Jacaranda mimosaefolia. Mature jacaranda trees planted in the street verges of the Applecross locality. Platanus. Mature plane trees in the street verges of the Applecross locality. Apart from ongoing arboricultural management, it is acknowledged that, from time to time, replacement of trees will be necessary and with the same species being maintained.

History

Applecross hosts a "Jacaranda Festival" each year in November. The festival is held in the Applecross Village district, and surrounding local businesses sell products and foods in aid of the local Rotary Club chapter. The use of these two tree species is indicative of Local Government policy to appropriately enhance the residential locality.

Condition

Sound

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Sir James Mitchell's Tree

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The pine tree is an important landmark element in the streetscape of the locality in Applecross, historically significant for its association with a former Lt. Governor of Western Australia, Sir James Mitchell.

Physical Description

Araucaria heterophylla. A mature Norfolk Island pine tree planted on the verge at the intersection of Kintail and Swan Roads in Applecross by Sir James Mitchell, Lt. Governor of Western Australia, in 1938.

History

The pine tree was planted on Arbor Day in July 1938 by Sir James Mitchell, Lt. Governor of Western Australia, with a commemorative plaque on a pedestal adjacent to the tree. Other trees planted at this time are not marked with commemorative plaques.

Condition

Showing some stress and dieback.

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Applecross Library

Uses

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Creation Date

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Applecross Primary School (original buildings)

Child Places

• 17794 Pavilion - Applecross Primary School
• 17792 Bell Tower - Applecross Primary School
• 17793 School House - Applecross Primary School

Condition

The weatherboard buildings, which formed the original Applecross State School and Head Teacher's Quarters, were erected by Aitkens and Tillotson for the Western Australian Public Works Department in 1913. The buildings are both constructed of timber with corrugated iron roofs. The Teacher's Quarters originally consisted of three rooms with a verandah at the front and back, a bathroom being included on the latter. Another room was added and the verandah extended in 1920. Otherwise the house has been little altered and is still used by the school for extra-currricular activities. Apart from installation of a Wonderheat in the fireplace and removal of the raised platform for the teacher, the school is unchanged. It was supplemented in 1918, as school numbers grew, by a pavilion classroom of timber and canvas but this structure has not survived. The weatherboard schoolroom served as the school proper until a brick building, which became the nucleus of the new school, was completed in 1945. After that time it served as an ordinary classroom for several years before becoming a general storeroom. In 1979 the schoolroom was refurbished with school items donated by the public to represent the original one teacher school. The schoolroom was re-opened by the Director-General of Education in 1980 and is a focus of interest for both school and parents with ongoing education value for both teachers and students.

Uses

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Child Places

• 17794 Pavilion - Applecross Primary School
• 17792 Bell Tower - Applecross Primary School
• 17793 School House - Applecross Primary School

Statement of Significance

Applecross Primary School os significant for the following reasons: Historic Value: The building was one of the first purpose built schools in Applecross and is in close proximity to the newer Applecross Primary School (within the grounds) which replaced it. Social Value: The building as a school Museum provides an insight into what this aspect of life was like in the early days of settlement. Authenticity: The building is in its original state.

Physical Description

The School building, the Teachers House and the Shelter Shed are timber-framed clad in lapped timber boarding, painted with pitched and gabled roofing clad in corrugated iron sheeting. Joinery and floors throughout are timber. The Shelter Shed has no windows and is now enclosed as workshop and store. The Bell Tower is a freestanding stepped structure of precast concrete blocks, painted, with a metal bracket and bell mounted on top. A brass plaque on the structure of precast concrete blocks, painted with a metal bracket and bell mounted on top. A brass plaque on the structure reads: “Western Australian Centenary 1829-1929. Presented by Parents and Citizens”. The Bell Tower dates from 1929. The Pavilion is the junction of two individual single pavilion classrooms constructed in 1919 and 1948. The now single building is timber-framed with painted lapped timber-boarded dado, fibrocement linings above the dado, timber floors and pitched roof clad in corrugated galvanised iron sheeting.

History

Applecross was still a small suburb at the turn of the century, with poor roads leading to the nearest school, 4 1/2 miles away. However, there were more than a dozen children in the area needing an education. Discussion with the Education Department about the issue led to the first Applecross School opening in 1905, and run from the local Road Board Hall as there were not enough pupils to warrant a school being built. By 1909, the Hall was in a poor state of repair, and terribly hot in summer, but despite the complaints of parents, the Education Department would still not build a new school, as there was not a large enough attendance. Gradual increases in the numbers of pupils meant that the Hall was becoming increasingly crowded, and the complaints to the Department of Education increased accordingly. Consequently the Department began looking for a suitable piece of land on which to build a school 1912. In order to speed up the process, the Land Agents in the area offered the Department Lots 304-311 for free, providing the new school was built within 6 months. However, by the start of the school year in 1913, the school was not even started, and so a letter by the Land Agents requesting the starting and completion dates for the school building was sent out to the Department in May. At the beginning of June the contract to build the one-room school was given to Messrs. Aitkens and Tillotson of Perth, to be completed on 3rd September at a cost of 783 pounds 18s 6d. The school was opened on the 4th September 1913. As the suburb grew, so too did the school, and by 1918 the new school was already overcrowded, with 57 children on the roll, but the room designed for 50. A second classroom was built soon after, and by 1934 there were still only the two classrooms, but a shelter shed was also being used as a classroom. The Bell Tower was constructed and erected in 1929, in celebration of the Western Australian Centenary 1829-1929 and to house the School bell. The first of the brick classrooms were built in 1945 to alleviate crowding. The ‘baby boom’ era of the late 1940s and early 1950s was a period of tremendous growth in the Applecross area, and consequently the numbers of children attending the school increased dramatically. In 1948 the enrolment at the school was 178 students, and by 1950 it had nearly double to 310. Unfortunately, in the opinion of the School Inspectors of the day, the old wooden buildings were ‘badly in need of general renovation’, but still had to be used because of the overcrowding. In the next few years, classes were place din temporary rooms, in the staff room, in the hall, even in the cloakroom for extra space. More new brick classrooms were added in 1948, 1954 and 1959. When the additions were made in 1954, the old wooden 1913 school room was moved to its present position to make space. The school reached its peak of 843 pupils in 1962, and steadily decreased after that, so that by 1970 the three timber-frame classrooms (all separate from the main school block) were not regularly occupied. In 1978, a student teacher at the school suggested that the 1913 original building be restored and then used as an example of a one-teacher school. By the 1970s, the room had been used for nothing more than a storeroom, so the suggestion was seen as a good use of the old school building. The teacher Mrs Susan Clark who made the suggestion, with the aid of other helpers, cleaned and restored the room and it was opened in May 1980. Since then the school room has been made available to teachers so that classes can be taken through and shown what school life was like at the beginning of this century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Very Few or None Extent of Original Fabric: Most

Condition

Sound, some deterioration of paint finishes.

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Bell Tower - Applecross Primary School

Parent Place or Precinct

01542 Applecross Primary School (original buildings)

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Pavilion - Applecross Primary School

Parent Place or Precinct

01542 Applecross Primary School (original buildings)

Uses

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Creation Date

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School House - Applecross Primary School

Parent Place or Precinct

01542 Applecross Primary School (original buildings)

Uses

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St George's Church (Anglican)

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

St Georges Church is significant for the following reason: Aesthetic Value: The building compliment the scale and proportion of the adjacent residences and anchors the corner site. Historic Value: Th first permanent church in Applecross. Scientific Value: a time capsule of memorabilia is located behind the foundation stone. Social value: The church was built to serve all denominations and also functioned as a centre for community activities including school classes. Authenticity: The church continues to be used for services and community activities.

Physical Description

A small rectangular single-level building constructed in load-bearing face brickwork, now painted, on a limestone footing, with timber small-paned windows set in four bays between attached brick piers. Precast louvre vents are located beneath windows. The main building form is gabled at both north and south ends, with a gabled lower section at the street frontage incorporating small casement windows and recessed double boarded doors with arched fanlight over. The front entry is constructed in arched dark red face brickwork. A lean-to service area is attached at the rear and a brick addition along part of the western side. Roof covering is orange Marseilles pattern terracotta tiles. A freestanding bell hung in a timber frame is located adjacent to the east wall. The site is landscaped.

History

St. Georges Church is noted as the first permanent church to be constructed in Applecross, intended originally for use by all denominations, including school classes and community activities, and now solely for use by the Anglican Church.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Some Extent of Original Fabric: Most. The original altar, paintings, certain consecrated items also remain.

Condition

Excellent

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RSL Hall

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The RSL Hall is significant for the following reasons: Historic Value: The hall housed the original Melville Road Boards Office and the first school before the RSL took over the building and extended it in the 1960's. The remains of the original hall structure can be seen within the extended building. Social Value: The hall is closely associated with social activities that took place in Applecross. Authenticity: The original hall is enveloped by the extensions made in the 1960's however the structure continues to be a focal point of local community activity.

Physical Description

A single-storey original timber-framed Hall with corrugated galvanised iron roof, plus brick and iron additions to the front and both sides.

History

The original 1904 rectangular building survives, originally in use as the office of the Melville Road Board and the first School in Applecross. The building was acquired by the RSL, and was extended in the 1960s. The Waylen Bay Sea Scouts held regular meetings at the RSL Hall from 1965. In 1971 completion of the Waylen Bay Sea Scout Hall ended a generous support by the Applecross RSL by allowing the use of their Hall rent free.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Many Extent of Original Fabric: The original building remains within the structure of the RSL Hall.

Condition

Sound

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Uniting Church and Hall

Uses

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Point Dundas, Majestic Hotel Site, Boardwalk and Applecross Jetty

Child Places

• 03829 Majestic Hotel - Site of

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 03829 Majestic Hotel - Site of

Statement of Significance

Applecross Jetty is significant for the following reasons: Historic Value: The jetty was built for the ferry service that provided the only direct link to Perth after the original Applecross subdivision. Social Value: Important due to it's association with the establishment of the original local community and with recreation on the river.

Physical Description

Point Dundas is now subdivided and developed as residential lots. There is no physical trace of the original house nor the Hotel. The modern Boardwalk around the base of the high ground of the Point is a timber deck and handrail on timber sub-frame into the foreshore. The Applecross Jetty is a timber-decked narrow walkway supported on timber framing, a timber handrail and piles into the Swan River. Remnants of earlier timber planking and stone ballast survive at the landform end of the Jetty, to control erosion of the beach. The Reserve is a grassed and treed public recreation area with adjacent car parks.

History

Point Dundas was used by the Beeliar Nyoongars for hunting and camping. The Aboriginal name for Point Dundas is “Moundauo” or “Moondaap”. Point Dundas Point Dundas was named by Captain James Stirling in 1827 after Viscount Melville’s family name ‘Dundas’. Majestic Hotel Site A house was built on the Point by A. P. Matheson in 1897 as a gift to the State Government in 1897, but the Governor declined to accept it. The house became the Hotel Melville and had many owners. The Stack family purchased the Hotel in 1924 and renamed it ‘Majestic Hotel’ in 1925. The Stack family ran the Hotel until 1981. The Hotel was also used as a residence for prominent identities. During World War II, Fremantle was the second largest Allied submarine base in the world. Secrecy surrounding the operation of the Fremantle submarine base means that its existence was little known at the time. In 1942 Japanese submarines were extremely active in Australian waters and spy planes frequently made surveillance flights over major cities. Without a safe haven in the Pacific, Allied submarine forces relocated to Fremantle, which became a vital submarine base. Fremantle became flooded with more than 10,000 international sailors from the US Navy, Royal Dutch Navy and the Royal Navy. Some sailors were billeted in private homes while large groups of submariners were in leased accommodation at some well known Perth establishments – The Weld Club, Ocean Beach Hotel Cottesloe, Balmoral Hotel Victoria Park, Majestic Hotel Applecross, and the Perth City hotels Palace, His Majesty’s, Wentworth, King Edward and Hyde Park. The Hotel was used by the Australia II syndicate as a training camp during the 1987 America’s Cup defence. The Hotel was demolished in 1989. Applecross Jetty The Applecross Jetty was constructed in 1897 as an early ferry stop on the Swan River. The Jetty and surrounding areas were popular for prawning and crabbing parties, a mooring start for yachtsmen, and the original home of the Applecross Swimming Club.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Some Extent of Original Fabric: Most

Condition

Sound; Hotel demolished for redevelopment and subdivision.

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Lemon Scented Gum Tree

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The tree is important as a landmark element in the streetscape, and for its relevant association with John and Wendy Birman.

Physical Description

Corymbia citriodora (formerly known as Eucalyptus citriodora). An introduced mature lemon scented gum tree planted in the street verge adjacent to 124 Kintail Road, Applecross.

History

The tree was planted on the verge in 1954 by John and Wendy Birman and represents enhancement of the environment in the Post-War residential development in the locality.

Condition

Sound

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Canning Bridge eastbound

Parent Place or Precinct

16178 Canning Bridge

Uses

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Canning Bridge

Child Places

• 04659 Canning Bridge eastbound
• 09192 Canning Bridge westbound

History

Reports during the 1862 floods observed Canning Bridge being ‘gradually swept away’, with ‘only a portion of the centre remaining’ and the approaches completely lost.[1] However, less than three months later the bridge was reported as being ‘in a sufficient state of repair for all the purposes of ordinary traffic’.[2] In 1866, convicts were involved in repairs to both the bridge and its southern approaches.[3] Heritage documents in the 2000s claimed a replacement bridge was built by convicts in 1867, but searches of 1860s newspapers found no record of the bridge being replaced. Possibly works in 1869 to construct Upper Canning Bridge (Perth-Albany Road, Gosnells) have been confused with the Lower Canning site on the Perth-Fremantle Road.[4] Alternately, the ‘repairs’ of 1862 or 1866 may have been a complete reconstruction that was underreported. Canning Bridge was closed for some 18 months from early 1872 after a fire, rumoured to have been lit by fishermen, destroyed two central bays. The government offered £5 reward for information leading to conviction of those responsible. Winter floods caused further damage. The ‘reconstructed’ bridge reopened in 1873.[5] It is likely this ‘reconstruction’ was in later years remembered as a completely new bridge. The bridge that remained in 1892 (when a raised navigation span was added) was approximately 50ft longer than the one known to have been built in 1849,[6] supporting notions that it was not the original bridge (although, as the approaches were lost in the 1862 floods, it is possible that repairs included lengthening the bridge). As Fremantle Roads Board repeatedly invited tenders in 1872 and 1873 for the reconstruction work,[7] it is unlikely that convicts were involved. [1] Inquirer and Commercial News, 23 July 1862, p.4, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/69135805/6578395 [2] Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, 3 October 1862, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2934069 [3] (no author), ‘Public Works’, Inquirer and Commercial News, 4 July 1866, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/69385749 [4] Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 26 November 1869, p.2, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3752009  (re Upper Canning Bridge under construction); Trove newspaper searches completed 5 & 6 November 2018 for ‘Canning Bridge’ and ‘tenders’ between 1862 and 1889; ‘Canning Bridge’ and ‘complete OR construct OR open’ between 1862 and 1869; ‘Canning Bridge’ (articles) in 1867; ‘Canning Bridge’ and ‘Public Works’ in 1868 (searching 163 WA newspapers) Report of recent and current public works in August 1867 mentions 40 bridges and does not include Canning Bridge (‘Public Works in the Colony’, Inquirer and Commercial News, 28 August 1867, p.2, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/69384127); Similar reports a year later 1868 also fail to mention any bridge on the Canning River or Perth-Fremantle Road Perth Gazette and West Australian Times, 14 August 1868, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3753807) HCWA’s documentation for P16178 references the construction of a bridge in 1867 to a conference speech give in 2002 by Lloyd Margetts, engineer, of MRWA’s bridge section; South Perth Municipal Inventory place entry for the place (CB7) also references work by Margetts; Engineers Australia documents include direct input from Margetts, which is unreferenced (Engineers Australia WA Division Engineering Heritage Panel, Swan & Canning Rivers Bridges: Australian Engineering Week Tour 2012, Perth, July 2012, https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/content-files/2016-12/2012_heritage_bridges_tour_low_res.pdf [5] Kuon, ‘Percursory Papers’, Herald, 6 April 1872, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111526212; ‘£5 Reward’ (advertisement), Herald, 25 May 1872, p.1, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111527095; (no author), ‘Roads Boards: Fremantle’, Inquirer and Commercial News, 12 February 1873, p.4, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65932858; Fremantle Roads Board, ‘Notice to the Public’, Inquirer and Commercial News, 23 July 1873, p.2, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65933851 (quote ‘re-constructed’); Herald, 26 July 1873, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114442667;  [6] HCWA, P16178 Canning Bridge, Assessment Documentation, March 2012, p.5 [7] Eg Herald, 3 November 1872, p.2, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114441332; (no author), ‘Roads Boards: Fremantle’, Inquirer and Commercial News, 4 December 1872, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65933715

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• 04659 Canning Bridge eastbound
• 09192 Canning Bridge westbound

Statement of Significance

Canning Bridge, comprising two almost identical timber bridges, Canning Bridge eastbound (1937) and Canning Bridge westbound (1958), over the Canning River between Applecross and Como, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is rare as an intact, substantial timber bridge comprising two adjacent structures built at different times; the site represents changing transport systems in Perth since 1829, from its origins as a ferry crossing, construction of the original Canning Bridge (1849), its role as part of the first road link between the city of Perth and the port of Fremantle through to construction of the current structures; the fishing platform underneath the 1958 structure is one of the few remaining of its kind; the place is valued as a site of recreational activities in the past to the present day, including organised sporting events, and as a venue for informal recreational activities; it achieved prominence in 1962, as the end point for rowing at the VII British Empire and Commonwealth Games; the place is an important landmark when viewed from the Swan and Canning Rivers, and the river foreshores. It contributes to the cultural landscape of the Applecross commercial precinct which includes Raffles Hotel (1937) and the distinctive façade of Applecross District Hall (1934); the place is a good example of a large timber bridge with cross braced driven piles, and demonstrates evidence of the innovative techniques of bridge conservation developed by the Main Roads Department in the 1970s. The signage on the bridges and the metal railings in the centre of the bridge have little significance.

Physical Description

Canning Bridge comprises two timber and steel framed bridges crossing the Canning River at Canning Highway connecting Melville and South Perth.

History

In summer, the Beeliar Nyoongars used the Canning River as a hunting ground as there was an abundant supply of food for them, and they used the land area around the Canning Bridge as a campsite. Initially, the site of the Canning Bridge was solely a ferry crossing at the narrowest point between the later settlements of Applecross and Como, close to the junction of the Canning and Swan Rivers. The first bridge across the river opened in 1843 to the design of Superintendent of Public Works, Henry Trigg, and constructed by Solomon Cook. A second replacement bridge was constructed in 1849 to increase the clearance beneath the 1843 bridge. In 1867 a new bridge was constructed with convict labour to increase traffic flow and address flood damage. Again, in 1908 and 1937 new bridges were constructed to replace the forerunners. In 1958, a new bridge was constructed solely for westbound traffic and the earlier 1937 bridge designated for eastbound traffic, to overcome the inadequacy of two-way traffic on a single bridge. Subsequently, concrete road overlays were introduced to both bridges in 1976 and 1984, and major repairs and maintenance was applied in 1994-96 and 1998-99.

Condition

Sound

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• 04659 Canning Bridge eastbound
• 09192 Canning Bridge westbound

Statement of Significance

Canning Bridge, comprising two almost identical timber bridges, Canning Bridge eastbound (1937) and Canning Bridge westbound (1958), over the Canning River between Applecross and Como, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • the place is rare as an intact, substantial timber bridge comprising two adjacent structures built at different times; • the site represents changing transport systems in Perth since 1829, from its origins as a ferry crossing, construction of the original Canning Bridge (1849), its role as part of the first road link between the city of Perth and the port of Fremantle through to construction of the current structures; • the fishing platform underneath the 1958 structure is one of the few remaining of its kind; • the place is valued as a site of recreational activities in the past to the present day, including organised sporting events, and as a venue for informal recreational activities. It achieved prominence in 1962, as the end point for rowing at the VII British Empire and Commonwealth Games; • the place is an important landmark when viewed from the Swan and Canning Rivers, and the river foreshores. It contributes to the cultural landscape of the Applecross commercial precinct which includes Raffles Hotel (1937) and the distinctive façade of Applecross District Hall (1934); and, • the place is a good example of a large timber bridge with cross braced driven piles, and demonstrates evidence of the innovative techniques of bridge conservation developed by the Main Roads Department in the 1970s. The signage on the bridges and the metal railings in the centre of the bridge have little significance.

Physical Description

Canning Bridge spans Canning River at the narrowest point where the River flows into the Swan River in Como and Applecross. The bridge consists of two adjacent timber structures designed and built by the Main Roads Department of Western Australia. The first structure, completed 1937, was designed and supervised by E. W. Godfrey, Chief Transport Engineer for Main Roads, and the second, almost identical, structure was completed 1958. Canning Bridge eastbound (1937) has a total length of 465 foot (141.8m), an overall width of 51’ 7” (15.7m) and an average clearance above normal water level of 19’ 8” (6.0m). It consists of 22 spans, typically 20 foot (6.1m) apart except for the central navigational span, which is 40 foot (12.2m) wide. The bridge is supported on timber piles. The piles have been potted at various locations and the majority have been epoxy wrapped at water level. The deck consists of three traffic lanes 37’ 5” (11.4m) wide and a footpath. Canning Bridge westbound (1958) has an overall length of 474 foot (144.6m), a width of 45 foot (13.7m) and a clearance of 19’ 8” (6.0m) above normal water level. It consists of 22 spans, typically 20 foot (6.1m) apart except for the navigational span, which is 40 foot (12.2m). The bridge is supported on timber piles, typically eight per span except for the navigational span, which has 12 piles. The deck of the bridge consists of three traffic lanes 37’ 4” (11.4m) wide and a 4’ 11” (1.5m) wide footpath. The timber pylons on both bridges are inscribed with roman numerals. Both bridges are sealed in hot mix asphalt on the vehicular traffic lanes and the footpaths are timber decking overlaid with concrete. The bridges carry water and electrical services. Steel conduits for street lighting are located on the base of the guardrail on the right hand side of the footpath on the downstream (1937) bridge. A similar steel conduit is attached to the half caps adjacent to the left hand side of the footpath posts on the Canning Bridge westbound (1958). The building of the fishing platform on Canning Bridge westbound (1958) emulates the platform on the third Canning Bridge built in 1908, which was specifically designated for fishing. It is now designated as a maintenance platform reached by a timber gangplank that adjoins the shoreline under the bridge. The area around Canning Bridge has seen continual development since the 1960s. As a result Canning Bridge is an important landmark with arteries leading off north and south into the Kwinana Freeway, east and west to the Canning Highway and east to Manning Road. The construction of Canning Bridge station in December 2007 for the Perth to Mandurah rail line has further impacted and changed the surrounding environment. The area around the bridge exhibits a mixture of land uses including wetlands, urban infrastructure and recreation. On the Como side of Canning Bridge between the Kwinana Freeway and the river there are no built elements. The vegetation consists of grassed riverbanks and re-established areas of native flora including Salt sheoak (Casuarina obesa), Geraldton wax (Chamelacium uncinatumm) Pencil pines (Cupressus) and a number of wattle and banksia species.

History

The first bridge over the Canning River was designed by the Superintendent of Public Works, Henry Trigg, who advertised for building tenders in the Perth Gazette on 26 December 1846. The original tenders for the bridge were too high so the project did not advance. In 1849 tenders were recalled and the contract was awarded to Solomon Cook. Cook completed the bridge in four months at a cost of £425. The bridge was 520 feet (175 metres) long, 12 feet (4 metres) wide and had a deck eight feet (2 metres) above the water. The central span of the bridge was 24 feet (8 metres) wide to allow boats to pass underneath.1 The bridge was an important part of road communication between Guildford, Perth and Fremantle even though for a number of years the river remained the main method of transportation of goods between the inland reaches and the coastal port. In 1862 widespread flooding throughout the Swan and Canning Rivers led to massive damage to the Canning, Causeway and Helena (in Guildford) bridges. Owing to the damage, a second Canning Bridge was built in 1867 using convict labour. It is thought the site of the second Canning Bridge was very close to the present bridge. Canning Bridge No. 2 was built 12 feet (4 metres) above the water but was raised in 1892 to 18 feet (6 metres) to allow for increased navigational clearance. Maintenance of the Canning Bridge and the road that linked Perth to Fremantle was given a low priority in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, leading to a deterioration of structure. According to one report from the time, a fire had caused bad damage and a replacement bridge was sought. Owing to the critical nature of the bridge, the State Government allocated funding for a new bridge in 1907-08. Canning Bridge No. 3 was constructed in 1908 and was located south east of the bridge that is currently used (2003). Flatter in appearance and stronger in construction, the new bridge was built under contract for the cost of £2,023. At this time a fishing platform was added to the bridge. Despite the stronger construction, the 1908 bridge was replaced by a new bridge which was commenced in 1937. Built by the Main Roads Department at a cost of £24,830 Canning Bridge No. 4 was constructed with a number of essential services such as water and gas mains and electricity installed under the roadway. The navigation openings included two of 24m wide and one of 18m wide. The bridge was constructed of karri, jarrah and wandoo owing to their abundance and resistance to fire and dry rot. To protect the timber piles from marine borers, concrete collars were put in place. Enhancing the appearance of the bridge were four ornamental concrete pylons surmounted with lanterns cast in bronze and placed at the entrances. Canning Bridge No.4 was officially opened on December 1939 by the Minister of Works, H. Millington MLA. The opening was celebrated by a small gathering of Main Roads people at the Swan Hotel. The old bridge which was going to be demolished had a reprieve owing to the outbreak of World War Two. Owing to the fear of invasion, the old bridge was kept in case of possible damage to the new bridge by an enemy attack. The old bridge was therefore not demolished until the late 1940s. Since then there have been various maintenance and renovation programs. In 1976 a reinforced concrete overlay was placed on the bridge deck and in 1994-5 termite damage led to karri timber being replaced by steel. In 1998-99 superstructure damage was arrested by reinforced concrete treatment. The Canning Bridge remains a vital link between South Perth and Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

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Ardross House

Values

The place is representative of government policy to purchase established residential properties for conversion into hostels within a suburban context in the 1960s. The place has historical value for its association with Mogumber and the subsequent Aboriginal wards of state formerly resident at the Mogumber Methodist Mission after its closure in 1968. Ardross House provides further evidential value to show how residences were chosen in line with the Mogumber’s change in care policy. Ardross House traces the evolution and decentralization of government policy and practices towards Aboriginal children from 1970 to the present, including the working relationship between the state and religious organisations in administering social welfare.

Physical Description

Brick and tile residence with sunken garage, with large upper verandah. In the vicinity of Shirley Strickland reserve and Applecross Senior High School.

History

Originally a private residence transferred to the Department of Native Welfare in 1970 and converted to a hostel operated by the Mogumber Council of Methodist Conference on the State’s behalf. This operation fulfilled Mogumber’s new policy of locating “scatter houses” in the metropolitan area after the closure of the Mogumber Mission (previously Moore River Settlement) in 1968.

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Lemon Scented Gum

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Statement of Significance

The tree is important as a landmark element in Hickey Street, Ardross, and as a landscape item for the associated housing. Note that a number of other relevant trees of the same species are in place in the vicinity in the street verge and adjacent Park. SIGNIFICANT ITEMS: The entire tree, and its location adjacent to the street verge in association with housing on the same lot.

Physical Description

Corymbia citriodora (formerly known as Eucalyptus citriodora). An introduced mature lemon scented gum tree planted at the rear of a lot for staff housing for the Applecross Wireless Station at Wireless Hill Park, off Hickey Street in Ardross.

History

The tree is an element of landscape planting associated with the original Staff Housing development of the Wireless Station, now known as Wireless Hill Park.

Condition

Sound

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Moreton Bay Fig Tree - Wireless Hill

Parent Place or Precinct

03518 Wireless Hill Park

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Scar Tree

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The tree is of Aboriginal cultural significance and recognised by inclusion in the Local Government Inventory as a place of cultural heritage significance to the Melville and State communities.

Physical Description

A remnant mature eucalypt in the street verge in a residential subdivision.

History

The Beeliar Nyoongars once cut a large piece or pieces of bark for ceremony or a coolamon. The scar tree is significant to the record of occupation in the locality of the Aboriginal people prior to European settlement and subdivision.

Condition

Sound and managed by the City of Melville.

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