Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms
Douglas Parade NEWPORT, Hobsons Bay City
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The Newport A & B Power Station complex (former) comprising the gatehouse, associated railway sidings, coal wharves and the stone lined curved channel leading to Hobsons Bay, all constructed c.1913-18 and the associated mature trees including Canary Island Palms and Monterey Cypresses at the northern end of Douglas Parade, Newport.
How is it Significant?The Newport A & B Power Station complex (former) is of local historic, aesthetic and technical significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, the surviving elements of the complex including the trees are significant as the only physical remnants of the one of the major electricity sources for the Melbourne metropolitan area prior to World War 2. The complex is also significant for the important associations with the Victorian Railways as the source of power for the new Melbourne electrified railway system, as well as the formation of the State Electricity Commission. (AHC criteria A4 and H1)
Aesthetically, the gatehouse is significant as a fine example of Edwardian era public architecture, while the remnant mature trees provide an appropriate and related Edwardian landscape setting. (AHC criterion E1)
Technically, the stone lined channel is significant for demonstrating the process used to cool water used in the power generation process (AHC criterion F1)
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Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Physical Description 1
The Newport Power Station Gatehouse is a neo-Baroque or Edwardian Baroque styled stuccoed masonry building with an arched entry, which fronts The Strand and faces the Yarra River at the north east edge of a park formed from the former power station site. The new power station lies to the north.
The following buildings and trees are the only other surviving elements associated with the Newport A & B Power Station complex:
- Twin Canary Island Palms that mark the site of the former the coal depot on the west side of the site. There are also some remnant Monterey Cypresses that date from soon after the construction of the Power Station.
- Railway sidings and coal and former oil wharves to the north of the new power station.
- A stone lined channel curving to the south east into Hobsons Bay that was the cooling water outlet for the original station.
Various plaques are located in the park including:
- A 1991 plaque dedicated to the opening of the park by the Williamstown Mayor Cr Kingshott.
- The commemoration of the gift of the park from the Premier Joan Kirner in December 1990.
- A marker to a large basalt outcrop which was uncovered during the making of the park in 1990.
Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Physical Conditions
External Condition
Good
Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Integrity
External Integrity
Surviving elements - Moderate. The site as whole has low integrity in terms of the amount of surviving fabric from the original complex.
Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Physical Description 2
Context
Contributory part of an industrial precinct, facing bay on a flat site abutting a busy road, parkland and the former oil berths and ferry landing.
Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Historical Australian Themes
Providing Services
Newport A & B Power Station Gatehouse (Former) and Canary Island Palms - Physical Description 3
Associations
Victorian Government, State Electricity Commission of Victoria, Victorian Railways
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading: Local
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PRINCE ALBERT HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H1793
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GREENWICH PIERVictorian Heritage Inventory
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OLD YARRA RIVER COURSE STONE EMBANKMENTSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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'NORWAY'Boroondara City
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1 Mitchell StreetYarra City
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