Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former)
561-569 Melbourne Road SPOTSWOOD, Hobsons Bay City
Hobsons Bay Railways Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
The Spotswood Railway Workshops complex (former), comprising the former Ways & Works Workshop designed by James Fawcett and constructed in 1927 and remnant mature trees, at 561-569 Melbourne Road, Spotswood.
How is it Significant?The Spotswood Railway Workshops complex (former) is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it is significant for its strong associations with the Victorian Railways and illustrates the great period of expansion during the Interwar period. The Ways & Works Workshop is now the sole remaining building of this once large complex, which was a major element in the vast array of Victorian Railways industry in the municipality. The mature trees are associated with the period that the complex was established. (AHC criteria A4 and H1)
Socially, it significant for its strong associations with the Spotswood community as the remnants of what was once a major employer within this area over the many years of its operation. (AHC criterion G1)
Aesthetically, although greatly diminished by the loss of most of the complex, the remaining buildings and mature trees are significant as examples of a custom designed building and related landscape setting that illustrate the high standard of Victorian Railways architectural and landscape practice during the Interwar period under the direction of James Fawcett. (AHC criteria E1 and F1).
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Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former) - Physical Description 1
Most of the once vast complex on this site has been demolished and the only remaining building is part of the former Way & Works workshops. Set at an angle near the front of the site, it is an austere neo-Grecian design with walls of red brick with cement render details, a parapet bearing the words 'VR Ways & Works Workshops' and has multi-paned glazing.
There are a number of mature trees, which are presumably the remnants of original or early landscaping. They include four Canary Island Palms, one mature Sugar Gum along the Birmingham Street frontage, a Monterey Cypress, Monterey Pines, and an Italian Cypress avenue along the former driveway running south west.
Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former) - Integrity
External Condition
Building - Poor. Trees - Good
External Integrity
Overall complex - Low. Way & Works building - Moderate
Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former) - Physical Description 2
Context
The Way & Works building now appears isolated from other buildings, although it is located in proximity to the railway lines and contributes to the broader group of railway and railway-related buildings in the Newport and Spotswood area.
Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former) - Historical Australian Themes
Moving Goods and People, Railways
Spotswood Railway Workshops Complex (Former) - Physical Description 3
Associations
Victorian Railways, James Fawcett
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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GOVERNMENT QUARRY JETTIESVictorian Heritage Inventory
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THREE PARALLEL RISING MAINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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FORMER HUGH LENNON AGRICULTURAL WORKSVictorian 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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