Road Board and Shire Office (fmr)

Uses

Creation Date

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Kershaw's House

Condition

The place is in good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Kershaw’s House, a brick and iron Federation Bungalow style residence, has cultural heritage significance as the residence of Edward Kershaw and his family and for its contribution to the Prince’s Street streetscape.

Physical Description

The place is a painted brick construction dwelling with a gabled corrugated iron roof. It has a skillion roofed verandah across the front and down the sides with St Andrew’ cross balustrade. The roofscape includes a chimney.

History

The house was built before the turn of the century and was the house of Edward Kershaw and his family (wife, daughter and nephew). His wife died soon after coming to Busselton and it is not known what became of the nephew. For many years, Edward Kershaw taught at schools around the area, and his last appointment was at Newtown – now known as Vasse. Mr Kershaw was an accomplished musician and mathematician. His daughter married Alfred John Bussell, eldest son of Alfred Pickmore Bussell of ‘Wallcliffe’, MargaretRiver. (BusseltonHistoricalSociety.)

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate Degree/Moderate Degree Integrity Notes: Though now a chiropractic clinic the place remains legible as a house and retains a moderate degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: There appear to have been a number of changes to upgrade the place and to adapt it for its present use. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity.

Condition

Good

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Mitchell Park Precinct

Child Places

• 05332 Working Men's Institute - Site
• 05327 Site of the Power Station, Mitchell Park
• 05324 Mitchell Park Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Parent Place or Precinct

05324 Mitchell Park Precinct

Child Places

• 05332 Working Men's Institute - Site
• 05327 Site of the Power Station, Mitchell Park
• 05324 Mitchell Park Precinct

Statement of Significance

Mitchell Park, now a pleasant public park, has cultural heritage significance as the historic site on many of Busselton’s early local government public buildings and utilities.

Physical Description

The site is now a park with lawns and mature trees. The Fire Station and a community building (Former Library) remain in the precinct.

History

The site previously contained the Road Board offices, the former Fire Station, the former Shire Offices, the Power Station, the former Library and the Working Men's Institute, all of which were replaced following the amalgamation of the council and road board and the replacement of the buildings with the new shire offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low Degree/None

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Keyser's Cottage (fmr)

Uses

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St Joseph's Church (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

00400 St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Precinct

Condition

This place is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

This building is historically very important as the first place of worship for Roman Catholics in the Busselton district and one of the earliest R.C. churches in the south west of the state. It has important associations for the people of the area, having been in use for worship for almost 70 years. It has continued to serve, after erection of the bigger church i 1933, as an annex for the Catholic school on the same block and is still held in high esteem by the community.

Physical Description

Built of local limestone, original shingle roof replaced with iron.

History

Assessment 1985 Construction 1866 - 68 Built with volunteer labour, supervised by C.J. Wheatman, Stonemason and master bricklayer Additions: porch 1914. Shingle roof replaced with iron

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Statement of Significance

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, a simple stone and iron Victorian Georgian style church has cultural heritage significance as one of the earliest Roman Catholic churches in the south-west. It has important associations for the people of the area, having been in use for worship for almost seventy years. It has continued to serve, after erection of the bigger Church in 1933, as an annex for the Catholic school on the same block and is still held in high esteem by the local community.

Physical Description

A limestone and iron Victorian Gothic style church. A simple stone and iron Victorian Georgian style church, with a southern narthex, now refitted as a café.

History

The church was built by volunteer labour led by C. J. Wheetman, stonemason and builder, between 1866-68. A narthex was added in 1914 and the place continued to operate as a church until 1933 when the new church opened and continued to operate after that time. It was incorporated into the Boulevard Shopping Centre and the interior has been adapted for café use.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The place is no longer used as a church and has a low degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place retains some original fabric, but much altered. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity. Low Degree/Moderate Degree

Condition

Good

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Busselton Post Office

Condition

The place is in fair condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Post Office has cultural heritage significance as a good example of a public utility from the inter-war period and it visually anchors the corner on which it is located.

Physical Description

Single storey painted brick, stucco and Marseilles pattern tiled roof Post Office and former telephone exchange. This hipped roofed building has a return verandah with heavy masonry columns. The entrance has a curved central pediment. The Prince Street elevation has been filled in with an aluminium framed screen and the building has been extensively refitted internally to meet the Australia Post standard shop fitting system in the 1990s.

History

This building replaced the old Post Office (1843) in Queen Street in the Inter-War period. Preliminary plans were completed on 30 June 1896 but the building was finally completed in 1898. Although the design was initiated in Poole’s time, it has been said to be more in Grainger’s style. It was originally located close to the railway line. Substantial amounts of money have been spent by Australia Post to modernise the building over time, as there are intentions for its prolonged use. It was accorded the Australia Post status on 1 July 1900. Three sons of Robert Pries (Owner Prospect Villa) held the position of postmaster over a period of 24 years. Arthur Robert from 1874-1883, Edward Adolf from 1884-1897 and Alfred Ferdinand in 1898.

Integrity/Authenticity

Although the nature of post office operation has changed a great deal in recent time the place retains its basic uses and retains a moderate to high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The exterior has been partly remodelled and the interior entirely remodelled. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity. High Degree/Moderate Degree

Condition

Fair

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Site of the Power Station, Mitchell Park

Parent Place or Precinct

05324 Mitchell Park Precinct

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site of the Busselton Power Station has cultural heritage significance for its role in the development of the community, both in establishing a reliable electrical supply for the town and later as one of the town’s important open spaces.

Physical Description

Site only. The place is now part of Mitchell Park and there is no surface evidence of the building.

History

Robert Donald built the power station in 1937 and in the following year a fire damaged the place and the generating equipment. The State Electricity Commission grid was extended to Busselton in 1950 and the building was decommissioned and then converted for shire use. It continued in shire use as offices for twenty years and was subsequently used as a bank, ballet school and citizens advice bureau before being demolished.

Archaeology

The site may have archaeological potential.

Condition

Site Only

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Busselton Police Station

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Commercial Hotel

Child Places

• 05319 Barnard's Hall Site

Condition

The place appears to be in good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Child Places

• 05319 Barnard's Hall Site

Statement of Significance

The Commercial Hotel has cultural heritage significance for its strong visual appeal and is a good example of a hotel building in the Federation Filigree style. It is a strong presence on the corner of Queen and Albert Streets and an important streetscape element at the beginning of the Queen Street precinct.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered brick and iron hotel with a two-storey verandah in the Federation Filligree Style. A two storey rendered brick and iron hotel building with a verandah on the two principal elevations giving the place its Federation Filigree appearance. The main roof is steeply pitched and forms a hip and the street corner, while the verandah is separately pitched off a wall plate and is set at a lower pitch. The two-storey verandah is carried on timber posts and has a simple timber balustrade with vertical balusters. There are a variety of openings to the street on the ground floor and many of these would appear to be modifications of earlier openings. There is an addition to the eastern site with a low pitched roof and the style characteristic of building in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

History

Robert Donald, who built many hotels and shops in the south-west, including the first Caves House at Yallingup, built the hotel for George Barnard, who lived at the Retreat. It was built and opened as the Freemasons’ Hotel and the name later changed to Commercial Hotel. Additions were made to the eastern side of the building in the late 1960s or early 1970s. In recent times the place has been progressively upgraded with improvements to the exteriors, restaurant, and bar facilities.

Archaeology

There may be archaeological evidence of Barnards Hall at the rear of the building.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The place remains in use as an hotel and retains a moderate to high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: There appear to be a good many changes to the ground floor fabric and the place retains a moderate degree of authenticity. Moderate-High Degree/Moderate Degree

Condition

Good

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Barnard's Hall Site

Parent Place or Precinct

05321 Commercial Hotel

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Barnard’s Hall site has cultural heritage significance as the site of one of the main social venues in Busselton for a long period of time.

History

The building was located at the rear of the Commercial Hotel; the hall was used for the screening of films and social gatherings such as balls, boxing tournaments and badminton. It was named after the proprietor of the hotel, George Barnard. The 1932 centenary ball was held in this venue. The hall was demolished in 1969.

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Weld Hall Theatre

Condition

The place is being conserved and at present in a fair condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Weld Hall, a single storey brick building with a galvanized iron roof in the Victorian Italianate style, has cultural heritage significance as the place associated with various community organizations including the Mechanics’’ Institute, Returned Services League, and Working Men’s Association, reflecting its important public eduction role of such an organization in Busselton. Also the place is one of the oldest remaining structures in Busselton and is an important reminder of the role of the Mechanics’ Institute in promoting education and cultural development in the community prior to formal library and education facilities being created. The place still retains a social role and contributes to the community’s sense of place. It has a striking visual form and plays an important role in the Queen Street streetscape at the corner of Queen and Adelaide streets.

Physical Description

A single storey masonry and iron Victorian Italianate style hall. Weld Hall is a brick and stucco, iron roofed Victorian Italianate hall. It is symmetrically disposed and has a long central wing with a simple porch, and this section is flanked by two gabled bays with arched head windows.

History

The Weld Hall was built during the course of 1874-1881 and progressively developed and adapted thereafter. It was named after Governor Frederick Weld. It was built as a Mechanic’s Institute and provided support and education prior to institutions such as public libraries being formalised. Once formed, the municipality began to take over these formalised services. The place later serve as a town hall, a meeting place for the Returned Services League and still later from 1960 as a Repertory Club.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate Degree/Moderate Degree Integrity Notes: The original intent has basically been retained so that the place has a moderate degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place has been considerably altered, but retains a good deal of original fabric. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

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Statement of Significance

Historical associations with cultural and social life of Busselton for almost 100 years. Assessment could be raised if unsympathetic additions were removed.

Physical Description

Plain building, main feature being large arched windows with small panes on both old wings. Local limestone, white washed. Recent brick additions to front. Building very solid, ancient wooden steps to side, timber lifting.

History

Assessment 1976 Construction: 1881. Band room added after 1914 - 18 war. Renovated in 1963 for use as a theatre. Architect & Builder: unknown

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Convict Hospital Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The former hospital site has cultural heritage significance for its historic links to the convict period of Busselton’s development.

Physical Description

The site marks the site of the first convict hospital in Busselton and is now occupied by a commercial premises.

History

The site marks the site of the first convict hospital in Busselton. The site was later occupied by the agricultural showground and then the Municipal Council building and finally by a commercial premises.

Archaeology

There is archaeological potential relating to the convict hospital structure.

Condition

Site Only

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Busselton Jetty

Condition

The jetty is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Important for association with timber trade in early year, highly esteemed by local people and popular tourist attraction. Interesting as a relic of long timber jetties now mainly replaced by land-backed wharves.

Physical Description

wooden jetty of standard timber pile, half caps, corbel beam and timber deck construction in nine stages, between 1865 and 1911. Over 1800 metres long, with a rail viaduct on 653 metres joining it midway, it was not only one of the longest wooden jetties in Australia, but in the Southern Hemisphere.

History

Assessment 1978 A small jetty was built in Busselton in 1885, but it is believed that the oldest section of the present jetty dates from 1865. Extensions and alterations were continually made over the years but on 1 March 1911, following completion of the railway jetty which joins the main structure and official opening took place with great ceremony. The jetty served the pport for trading vessels mainly carrying timber, until the port was closed in 1972, since then it has been mainly used for fishermen and as a promenade for tourists. With the gradual replacement of the old timber jetties by land backed wharves it has become a unique feature of the State. It had been decided, before the damage on 4/4/78 (Cyclone Alby) to recommend the jetty for classification and despite the loss of one third of its length, it is still considered worthy of this stature.

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Statement of Significance

Busselton Jetty has cultural heritage significance as an early Western Australian timber structure and important relic of Busselton’s early past and its important connections with the timber industry. It is also important as the longest jetty constructed in the southern hemisphere, as a regional landmark and a popular tourist and recreation facility. Busselton Jetty contributes to the community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

A long timber construction jetty with some concrete repair sections. It is said to be longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Busselton Jetty is over 1,800m long, with a rail viaduct of 653m joining it midway. Since it’s re-opening a number of new facilities have been added including the new structures at the land base end and underwater viewing facilities. A typical jetty section consists of timber piles, half caps, corbel beams and timber decking. The decking has been replaced with concrete, and a metal balustrade has been added to the west side of the jetty. The retail outlets are located on the east side of the jetty and have been designed in a nostalgic form of beach side bathing houses. Horse drawn trucks were used till 1900 before the railway line was introduced. Improved lighting came about in 1963 when the electric light globes were replaced by mercury vapour lights.

History

Busselton Jetty was constructed in stages from 1865 onwards to 1911 for the West Australian Timber Company. Although declining in importance as a general transport route, coastal shipping still provided a vital link in Busselton’s transport, and this relied upon the Busselton Jetty. The original portion of the jetty was built in 1865 and, throughout the following 25 years, a total of 5919 feet was built. As an article in “The West Australian” in 1904 summarised: “At first glance, Busselton now impresses one merely as a delightful holiday resort, with its immense seafront, its long stretch of beach, and its caves . . . but Busselton and those connected with trade believe in its future material prosperity. With the improved outlet for trade which is now in course of progress, it promises to be a big factor contributing to the development of one of the most important of the State’s”. In 1911, a railway spur line to the jetty was erected to cope with the traffic from the large timber export trade from the hinterland. It was the longest jetty to be constructed in the southern hemisphere. One of Busselton’s main town features is its jetty. With the closure of the port in 1972, maintenance on the jetty ceased. In 1978, Cyclone Alby demolished the promenade section of the jetty and caused extensive damage to the rest of the structure. The town was essentially deprived of a popular tourist attraction. In October 1987, the people of Busselton formed the Busselton Jetty Preservation Committee to accept the huge responsibility of raising funds to restore the jetty. Together with the State Government, they have raised over $1,500,000. Repairs and renovations to the narrow railway jetty, including decking and side railings, and maintenance to the main structure, made it safe for use by pedestrians and fishermen and, in March 1995, a new tourist train commenced running. In 1999 a fire damaged the jetty, cutting off access to the last 150 metres of the structure. The final stage of development was the construction of an under water observatory. The interpretative centre opened in 2001 and the jetty continues to be a popular destination. The observatory opened in 2003.

Archaeology

There is likely to be a good deal of seabed material in the vicinity of the jetty.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: Although no longer a working jetty its use remains readily apparent. The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The jetty has been subject to numerous repairs and maintenance programs as is typical of marine structures. Although the intent remains authentic, a good deal of the fabric is replacement. High Degree/Moderate-High Degree

Condition

Fair-Good

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Old Busselton Post Office Site & Post Box

Parent Place or Precinct

25501 Red Post Boxes Group

Condition

The post box is in good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Old Post Office site and post box, a location marked only by the pillar post box, has cultural heritage significance as the site of one of the earliest post offices in Busselton. The post box has intrinsic aesthetic value as a fine piece of craftsmanship.

Physical Description

Cast iron post box, Victorian decorative style. Nothing remains of the post office; a post box c.1842 marks the site. The post box is constructed of cast iron and has a decorative top, with ER II in raised lettering on the bottom section of the pillar.

History

The site of one of the earliest post office in Busselton. The first Post Office was also known at the Herring’s Cottage as John Herring was appointed as the first Post Master. The cottage was erected on the first campsite in Busselton.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The post office has been demolished, but the post box continues to serve its intended purpose. Authenticity Notes: The authenticity of the post box is high. Post Box: High Degree/High Degree

Condition

The post box is in good condition.

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Busselton Court House and Police Complex

Condition

The place is well maintained and is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The buildings are historically important, some parts being amongst the oldest remaining in the town of Busselton. They are associated with two of the state’s outstanding architects, Richard Roach Jewell and George Temple Poole, the latter’s work being of national significance. The Cells and stables reflect a way of life which has gone and the buildings generally are of social interest

History

Assessment 1979 Construction date: First courthouse, lock up etc: 1860 Post Office (later part of courthouse): 1873 Courthouse: 1896 Architect Original courthouse: R.R.Jewell Builder: Henry Yelverton Architect 1896 courthouse: believed to be George Temple Poole The complex consist of the Courthouse, Police offices (some of which were built originally as bond store and Post Office) lock up and cell block, stables and fodder stores and police quarters (two semi-detached cottages. At one time a tramway ran from the Bond Store to the jetty. R.R. Jewell drew plans for a lock up in 1854 and tenders called in 1856 for erection of a courtroom, police offices and lock up were accepted by Henry Yelverton. The first Court was certainly completed by 1860. Lock up cells and stable, all of limestone, and the Post Office of two rooms facing Queen St of rendered limestone, built in 1873 are all attributed to R.R. Jewell. They were originally shingled by now have roofs of corrugated iron. Plans were drawn in 1896 for a new brick courthouse, facing Queen St adjoining the Post Office, during Georg Temple Poole’s term as Principal Architect and bear the signature of his notable assistant Robert J Haddon as examiner of the tracing, but the design, in view of its character is believed to be Poole’s. The roof, now of corrugated iron was originally boarded. With the exception of the lock up, cells, stables etc the buildings are in fair condition though some painting and repair or replacement of hardware is needed. The lock up, cells, stables etc urgently require repairs to the roofs to prevent leakage. Cleaning and repair of stonework and woodwork, repainting and other maintenance are also necessary.

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Statement of Significance

Old Court House and Police Complex Precinct, a collection of Victorian and Federation period civic buildings in various styles, has cultural heritage significance as a very fine collection of public buildings that make a substantial contribution to the streetscape of Busselton. The place represents some of the town’s earliest extant civic buildings constructed under the direction of two of the colony’s most prominent architects and was the location of the town’s original law enforcement and administrative agencies until the mid twentieth century.

Physical Description

The place comprises a series of public buildings that now function as an arts and interpretive centre.Variety of styles relating to both the Victorian and Federation period.

History

Along with the Agricultural Bank opposite the site, the place was a civic precinct that housed a number of important State services including postal services, courthouse, bond store, police station and lock- up. Buildings were designed by the Public Works Department under the direction of R. R. Jewell and G. T. Poole. Following the closure of the various services and their replacement at other locations, other uses were sought. The place was eventually acquired by the Shire of Busselton and now functions as an arts and interpretive centre. The original goal and customs house were at one time connected to the jetty by a tramway. The court house building is of brick while the other buildings are of limestone or rendered limestone. The roofs were originally shingled but are now of corrugated iron. The buildings are of various ages (1860,1873, 1896-1900).

Archaeology

The site’s long history suggests that it has archaeological potential.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The place is no longer used for its intended purpose, but most previous uses are readily apparent. The place retains a moderate degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place has been subject to numerous alterations through time, but the underlying fabric is authentic. Moderate Degree/Moderate Degree

Condition

Fair-Good

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A. R. Bovell & Son

Condition

The place is in fair condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

A. R. Bovell & Son has cultural heritage significance for its close historic associations with A. R. Bovell and is evidence of an early style of shop design, complete with original shopfront. His son, John Bovell was later Mayor of Busselton.

Physical Description

A single storey shop. A single storey brick and iron building with a substantial original glass shopfront and encircling porch sits at the busy intersection between Queen Street and Prince Street. Topped by a gambrel pattern roof. The building represents an earlier era of shop design and there are few such complete examples remaining in the town.

History

Alexander Robert Bovell was a well-known local general agent and auctioneer who came to Western Australia in 1859. In 1903, he established himself as a stock and land auctioneer, shipping and general commission agent. He attended to all timber imports from the Busselton Jetty when it operated as a harbour until it closed in the 1960s. He was closely associated with the local mining industry and was both a member of the South West Agricultural Society and a Councillor at the Busselton Municipal Council. The shop is believed to have been built by Sir Stewart Bovell (brother of Reginald).

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree Integrity Notes: The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: The place retains a high degree of authenticity, as it is intact as an insurance and real estate agency complete with desks and general office fitout, however it is unoccupied and has been so for several decades.

Condition

Fair

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Commercial Building (demolished)

Condition

Building removed from the 2006 Municipal Heritage Inventory due to demolition in 2003. The building was demolished to make way for new building works.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The site no longer retains any significant cultural heritage value.

Physical Description

No particular style was discernible. The place was a predominantly single storey rendered brick building, with a steeply pitched corrugated iron roof and small window openings. The southern end of the building had a second storey addition that appears to have been a late 1960s or early 1970s modification.

History

According to the information in the 1996 MI the place was built around 1900 and would appear to have been modified extensively at the southern end. In its last years, it accommodated office uses prior to demolition in 2004 to make way for a new development and in 2005 a restaurant is under construction on the site.

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Busselton Fire Station (No 2) fmr

Values

· a landmark as a distinctive building in the main street of Busselton.
· representative of fire stations constructed in rural towns in the 1930s.
· valued by the community for it’s associations with the Busselton Fire Brigade.
· was one of eighteen new fire stations built by the Western Australian Fire Brigades Board during an intensive building campaign between 1933 and 1938.
· an integral part of the Queen Street streetscape, which is an important historic streetscape in Busselton.

Physical Description

The place is located in the main street of Busselton, adjacent to Mitchell Park. It is a single bay fire station constructed of brick, masonry, stucco and tiles. Includes partly rendered, partly face brick facade and a central raised parapet, of simple rendered design with a low triangular cap. Simple rendered pilasters with slightly chamfered edges flanked the appliance doors below the parapet. Decorative detailing includes the rectangular name plate on the parapet and a plain rendered cornice band. Has facilities to house a station keeper behind the appliance room including kitchen, bathroom, hallway, and porch. A double colourbond garage has “recently” been constructed at the rear of the block to house a light tanker The original fencing and fire alarm tower has been removed. The place is in good condition.

History

The first purpose built fire stations were constructed in the 1900s. Between 1929 and 1933, no new fire stations were built due to the effects of the Great Depression. The remainder of the inter-war period saw intense building activity, when 18 new stations were built, 15 of them in country areas. Five stations were also constructed in 1936 at Wiluna, Meekatharra, Southern Cross and Cue. The majority of the stations, including Busselton Fire Station No. 2 were built to designs by K. C. Duncan, who had developed a standard plan for country stations in 1932. It is not known when it ceased to operate as a fire station. The place is currently leased to Busselton Jetty Conservation and Preservation Organisation. It is also used as the Jetty Markets for the sale of second hand goods.

Condition

Good The place is in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

Busselton Fire Station No. 2 (fmr), a single appliance fire station in the Inter-War Functionalist style, has cultural heritage significance as one of the more substantial fire stations designed by K. C. Duncan in the 1930s and is a fine example of the style and type.

Physical Description

A small single appliance fire station building in rendered brick with a tiled roof. The fire station building is a single storey brick construction single appliance building and integral quarters, decorated externally with cement render, and it has a Wunderlich Marseilles pattern tiled roof. The facade is rendered in a low-key interpretation of the Inter-War Functionalist style. The remaining elevations are utilitarian in their rendering. The station entrance dominates the front elevation; with its pair of part glazed timber framed and boarded doors. A pair of plain stepped rendered pilasters, capped by a simple stepped pediment, frames the entrance. There is a raised panel in the pediment framed by a bolection moulding and the panel contains the words FIRE STATION in bas-relief. A bronze plaque fixed to the northern pilaster to commemorate the official opening of the station has been removed. The remainder of the front elevation is simply treated with stretcher bond cut and struck jointed brickwork, topped with a soldier course near the top of the wall under a plain rendered frieze. Wide lined eaves with ogee gutters extend over the walls on either side of the entrance bay. The roof is clad with Marseilles pattern tiles with ram’s horn pattern finials. The walls are variously punctuated with pairs of six pane casement windows or part glazed doors. The wide eaves continue along both sides of the station and terminate at a skillion roof that extends over the kitchen and bathroom sections of the quarters to the rear. The station is one of the few to retain its original timber appliance room doors.

History

The Districts Fire Brigades Act, 1909, ushered in a seven year period of rapid development, (1910- 17), in which 42 new stations were built, of which, so far as is known, only four were substantial, purpose built, masonry buildings. In the post-World War One period, 12 new stations were built between 1920 and 1929, of which at least seven were substantial, architect-designed buildings. From the World War One period to the mid 1920s, Architect J. L. Ochiltree was generally referred to as the Fire Brigades’ Board’s Architect. From 1926, Architect K. C. Duncan also designed a number of fire stations for the Board. Between 1929 and 1933, no new fire stations were built due to the effects of the Great Depression. In 1932, the Board once more began to look ahead, and planning commenced for fire stations at Goomalling (Place no 14515) and Cue (Place no. 146500). The remainder of the inter-war period saw intense building activity by the Board, when18newstationswerebuilt,15ofthemincountryareas. Themajorityofthestationswerebuilttodesignsby K. C. Duncan, who had developed a standard plan for country stations in 1932. Guildford Fire Station & Quarters (1934) was the first of five similar single bay fire stations. The other stations were North Kalgoorlie (1935) (Place no. 750-3), Tammin (1935) (Place no. 2549), Busselton (1936) (Place no. 403) and Meekatharra (1936) (Place no. 14598). All were characterized by a partly rendered partly face brick facade and a central raised parapet, of simple rendered design with a low triangular cap. Simple rendered pilasters with slightly chamfered edges flanked the appliance doors below the parapet. Decorative detailing included the rectangular nameplate on the parapet and a plain rendered cornice band. Guildford Fire Station and Busselton were the most substantial of these stations, with brick walls on all sides and tiled roofs, whilst the other three had a face brick facade returning along the side walls to accommodate a single window, with timber framed walls clad with asbestos or corrugated iron. Roofs were of similar materials. The Busselton Fire Station was officially opened by the President of WA Fire Brigades, Mr. J.R. Campbell on 1 June 1936. It was significant as it opened on Foundation Day in Busselton, a town which many West Australian pioneers call home. During World War Two, only two new stations were built, and the Board did not renew its building programme until after the lifting of wartime restrictions in the early 1950s. In the post-World War Two period, Duncan, and subsequently Duncan, Stephen & Mercer, were responsible for the design of numerous new fire stations in which the basic design for facilities and layout remained much as in the Inter-War period, although there were some modifications with regard to the decorative details.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: Though no longer serving as a fire station, its use is readily apparent so that the place retains a moderate to high degree of integrity. Plans are underway for the redevelopment of Queen Street and Mitchell Park to its immediate south. Authenticity Notes: The place has been modified, but its underlying fabric is authentic. Moderate-High Degree/Moderate-High Degree

Condition

Fair-Good

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Office of the Department of Agriculture

Condition

This place is in very good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (refer to attachments for expanded statement of significance) The Office of the Department of Agriculture, a single-storey brick and tile, Inter-War Free Classical style commercial building, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place has close associations with the development of the Agricultural Bank of Western Australia; the place has retained a high degree of authenticity; the place is prominently located on the comer of Queen Street and Marine Terrace and compliments the Old Courthouse and Gaol on the opposite comer; the place terminates the commercial precinct of Queen Street from the marine recreational environment; and, the place has social significance for the people of Busselton as it is a reminder of that period when Busselton was an important service centre for the surrounding district.

Physical Description

The Office of the Department of Agriculture is a single storey brick and tile building, with rendered details, designed in the Inter-War Free Classical Style. The building has a corner location and is situated directly across the road from the Old Courthouse and Police Station. The building is at the northern end of town, on the edge of the main commercial precinct. The building has a small strip garden on the northern side, planted with Australian natives. A cyclone mesh fence separates the garden from the pavement. A car-park, sealed with bitumen is located on the southern side of the building. There is a short section of cyclone mesh fence on the southern side of the building. The front of building is symmetrical and features a porch that displays a formal arcade of three arches either side of tall rectangular openings. The walls of this porch and the front wall are rendered. The render has been marked out to resemble ashlar masonry and then painted white. The front entry has two, large twelve paned, double-hung windows on either side of the front door. The sides of the building display stretcher bond brickwork with a rendered band below the eaves line that is the same as that found at the front. Six, double hung sash windows (similar in detail to the front windows) are evenly spaced down both sides of the building. The hipped roof is clad with clay tiles. A rendered chimney-stack, with moulded details, is located on the southern side of the building towards the rear of the building. The interior of the Office of the Department of Agriculture is divided into two sections: the public reception area and front offices and the rear section. Offices are located on either side of a central corridor. At the back of the rear section is a large open space which contains a safe, fireplace and access to the rear of the building. Beyond the back door are toilets and a new addition which is not included in this assessment.

History

Assessment : 2001 Constructed: 1931 Alterations/Additions: 1956, 1966 The Office of the Department of Agriculture was constructed in 1931 and initially opened as the Agricultural Bank's Busselton Branch. The building ceased operating as a bank in 1956 when the Bank moved into rented premises due to a shortage of space in the original building, The Departments of Agriculture and Forestry moved into the vacated building and made some alterations at the rear of the building in 1966 when a new carport was added.

Integrity/Authenticity

The original internal layout of the building was generally open in plan, with furniture and light stud walls used to define work areas and offices. Taking into account that the building is no longer used for banking purposes the Office of the Department of Agriculture is considered to have retained a moderate degree of integrity

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Statement of Significance

Agriculture Western Australia, a single storey brick, stucco and tile roof building in the Inter-War Fee Classical style, has cultural heritage significance as is a fine simple and elegant civic building designed in the style that retains a high degree of authenticity. The place is prominently located on the corner of Queen Street and Marine Terrace in a minor civic precinct that includes the Old Courthouse and Gaol, and contributes to the community’s sense of place. The place is important for its associations with the Agricultural bank of Western Australia and the Group Settlement Scheme that played significant role in the development of the region for a brief period of its history.

Physical Description

A substantial building in the Inter-War Free Classical style with fine stucco detailing and an imposing arcade and classically derived decorative devices. The structure was originally built as a bank building for the Agricultural Bank of Western Australia in 1931. Agriculture Western Australia is a single storey brick, stucco and tile building in the Inter- War Free Classical style, located at the northern end of the town, opposite the Court House and Police Station and is part of a minor civic precinct. The front of the building features an arcade with three heavy arches and four broad pilasters in pairs flanking the arcade, carrying a plain entablature and frieze with restrained triglyphs and metopes. The stuccowork is PHILIP GRIFFITHS ARCHITECTS JUNE 2007 2 SHIRE OF BUSSELTON - MUNICIPAL HERITAGE INVENTORY ruled to resemble ashlar stone. The arcade is set on top of granolithic steps and has a granolithic floor. The flanking walls are face brickwork and window throughout are double hung sashes.

History

s: Agriculture Western Australia was built by Falk Ingham and Newman in 1931 as the Busselton branch of the Agricultural Bank of Western Australia a concept established under Forrest’s government in 1894. The bank began to decentralise in the 1920s and took control of the Group Settlement Scheme in 1930. The Busselton branch was built during the Depression era and its establishment at this time was no doubt related to the Group Settlement activity in the region. By the 1950s the bank had become the Rural and Industries Bank and by 1956 the bank had sold the premises to the Public Works Department, and moved to a new premises. The premises were then occupied by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The place became surplus to the department’s requirements and was acquired by the Shire of Busselton in 2005.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity Notes: The place is no longer used for banking and retains a moderate degree of integrity Authenticity Notes: Though fittings have been removed and the spaces re-partitioned, the underlying fabric is authentic. The place retains a high degree of authenticity. Moderate Degree/High Degree

Condition

Very Good

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First Busselton School - Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The original Busselton School site has cultural heritage significance for the historic role it played in the development of the town in its early years and later for its social value as a place for community activities following the construction of the then new primary school.

Physical Description

The place is now an open park with some tree plantings.

History

The site of the first Government School in Busselton L. T. Cook was the first master. The structure was built of limestone. The school closed in 1904 after which the building was used as a fire station, band room and as tea and lunch rooms during the war years. It was replaced by the school at the west end of Prince Street, which was in turn later demolished.

Condition

Site Only- the place is now a park

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