FORMER UNION BANK
45 VIEW STREET BENDIGO, GREATER BENDIGO CITY
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Statement of Significance
DRAFT - NOT YET APPROVED BY HERITAGE COUNCIL
What is significant?
The former Union Bank in View Street, Bendigo was built in a Classical style 1876-7 to the design of architects, Smith and Johnson. It consists of a banking chamber and strong room, attached residence, smelting house and outbuildings, all of which survive in a reasonable state of intactness although substantial alterations were made to the residence building in 1909-10. The bank dates from a time when gold mining was changing from shallow alluvial workings to an industry of deep leads and quartz-mining. With the increasing proportion of gold coming from quartz mining, the problem of determining fineness became apparent and facilities for smelting were included alongside the banking premises. While the banking chamber is now devoid of any internal fittings the building still houses records comprising extensive journals and ledgers relating to the daily business of the bank from its earliest times. The implements from the smelting house were removed in 1976 and are now displayed in the ANZ museum. The bank continued to function until 1975 when the ANZ operations were transferred to another location. The place was acquired by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in 1976.
How is it significant?
The former Union Bank, Bendigo is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The former Union Bank is of architectural significance as a particularly fine example of a bank built in the 19th century. The Classical design and detailing of the colonnaded, recessed facade and the use of the giant Corinthian order are particularly unusual and important. It is also of architectural significance for its relatively intact interior configuration which illustrates early bank practices. The associated buildings such as the smelter, gold safe and residence effectively demonstrate the unique banking practices of this era. The former Union Bank, Bendigo is also of architectural significance as a fine example of prominent architects, Smith and Johnson whose most notable work is the Law Courts (VHR1514) in William Street, Melbourne. The former Union Bank is of architectural and historical significance as a key component of the streetscape of View Street Bendigo, one of the finest precincts of nineteenth century buildings in Victoria.
The former Union Bank, Bendigo with its rare gold smelting facility is historically significant as a bank building with direct and tangible links to the crucially important history of gold mining and its associated wealth. The bank is a manifestation of the consolidation of Bendigo as a key provincial city in the post Gold Rush era.
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FORMER UNION BANK - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.
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