Forest Street to Forest Creek Heritage Assessment

Council has undertaken a Heritage Study for the edge of the Castlemaine CBD between Forest Street and Forest Creek. Parts of this area are in the Commercial 1 Zone, and are likely to experience development pressure in the future.

The study area is bounded by the railway line and Urquhart Street to the east and west, and Forest Street and Forest Creek to the south and north. The east west boundaries were chosen for consistency with the existing Castlemaine Central Heritage precinct.

Community drop-in sessions were held March 2014, providing input into the study.

The draft study been completed, and public feedback has been sought.

The study has made three recommendations. These are:
1. Nomination of three places to the Victorian Heritage Inventory due to their potential archaeological significance;
2. Applying the Heritage Overlay to Forest Creek;
3. Applying the Heritage Overlay to the Western and Eastern Reserves; and
4. Applying a Heritage Overlay to 15 places associated with early mining, early industry, and transport.

Nomination of three places to the Victorian Heritage Inventory
The Heritage Inventory is a listing of all known historical (non-Indigenous) archaeological sites in Victoria.

While there are over 6,800 sites listed on the Heritage Inventory, it is not a comprehensive list as large parts of the State have not had an archaeological survey.

Heritage Inventory sites, as well as sites that have yet to be discovered, are protected under the Victorian Heritage Act 1995. If you are planning to do any subsurface works, or other activities that may affect the archaeology on your site, it may be necessary to obtain a Consent from Heritage Victoria.

The three sites identified for nomination to the Victorian Heritage Inventory are:
1. The former Cornish & Bruce workshop area in the Forest Street Heritage Precinct.
2. The former Canvas Town located in the Western Reserve Heritage Precinct.
3. The former Chinese settlement areas; Western Reserve and former Eastern Reserve (Lawn Tennis Club), rear of 122 Barker Street, 44-54 Forest Street in the Forest Street Heritage Precinct.

Heritage Overlay to Forest Creek
The statement of significance for the Forest Creek forms pages 33-37 of the Heritage Assessment. The study found that the channel is of historical, aesthetic, technological and social significance, and change should be controlled with the application of a Heritage Overlay. A Heritage Overlay will trigger a planning permit for any buildings and works to the channel that will change the appearance.

Tree controls are also recommended, necessitating a planning permit for any tree removal or lopping along the creek. This will not apply to other vegetation (such as reeds, weeds, or small plants), as these fall under the planning scheme definition of gardening.

Heritage Overlay to Eastern and Western Reserves
The statement of significance for the reserves forms pages 38-44 of the Heritage Assessment. The study found that the reserves area is of historical, aesthetic and social significance, and change should be controlled with the application of a Heritage Overlay. It has historical associations with early Chinese miners and Chinese market gardens as well as early Canvass Town. The area contains many exotic plantings, and some native vegetation.

Heritage Overlay for Forest Street Industrial Site
The statement of significance for the reserves forms pages 45-53 of the Heritage Assessment. The study found that area is of historic, aesthetic, rarity and social significance, and change should be controlled with the application of a Heritage Overlay.

Fifteen specific buildings are identified as being of significance, and the assessment recommends application of the Heritage Overlay to these buildings only as a serial listing, rather than a precinct overlay to all buildings. The key difference between a serial and precinct listing is that in a serial listing, the Heritage Overlay is only applied to significant buildings. In a precinct listing, the Heritage Overlay is applied to all buildings (whether significant or not), triggering a planning permit for works on all buildings.

Places recommended for inclusion in this Heritage Overlay are:
103-105 Barkers Street
109 Barkers Street
115 Barkers Street
118-120 Barkers Street
141 Barkers Street
122 Barker Street (42-44 Forest Street)
3 Bruce Street
5 Bruce Street
10 Bruce Street
20 Forest Street
22 Forest Street
24 Forest Street
26 Forest Street
42-44 Forest Street (122 Barker Street)
46-50 Forest Street
54 Forest Street

Council sought public feedback on the study, which has now closed.

Council officers are currently reviewing submissions, and Council will consider adoption of the study at their meeting on 12 May 2015.

If you'd like to discuss the study and any potential implications of it further, contact Council's Strategic Planner on 5471 1700.

If you'd like to come in and speak with someone about it, we recommend phoning before coming in to ensure the appropriate officer is available when you come in, to avoid making a trip when the officer is unavailable.