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FLINDER'S STREET THOROUGHFARE (AT BATMANS HILL)
27-31 SPENCER STREET, DOCKLANDS VIC 3008
FLINDER'S STREET THOROUGHFARE (AT BATMANS HILL)
27-31 SPENCER STREET, DOCKLANDS VIC 3008
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Victorian Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The bluestone carriageway and underlying deposits are of significance.How is it significant?
The site is historically and archaeologically significant to the City of Melbourne.Why is it significant?
The site is of historical significance as it represents a commercial carriageway between the former Spencer StreetShow more
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FLINDER'S STREET THOROUGHFARE (AT BATMANS HILL) - History
The site appeared to be mostly undeveloped until the 1880s or 1890s. The 1855 Kearny, 1864 Cox and 1882 Cooke plans depict a few small structures near the corner of Spencer Street and Flinders Street (plans below as not included with submitted site card). Prior to this, photographs show that the site was uneven and undulating landform. The site is also in proximity to the Yarra docks as shown in the isometrical drawing from 1866 and may have been informally used until its development during the late 19th century. It is likely that there was considerable levelling and earthworks within the site during the removal of Batman’s Hill in advance of the construction of Spencer Street Station in the mid 19th century. Once Batman’s Hill was removed for the development of the Spencer Street railway Station, the site became a key thoroughfare for the transport of goods to and from the Spencer Street railyard. An illustration from 1889 depicts the primary purpose of the site where horse and carriage can be seen moving to and from the goods sheds within the Spencer Street railyard, under the viaduct of the active railway. This access was facilitated by a nearby retaining wall built in 1890 (see HO651 / VHR H0932) which allowed for the extension of Flinders street on level ground which the carriageway followed an upward slope to the railyard. During this time, the site also contained temporary infrastructure for the expansion of the overhead railway including cranes used to transport construction material from the ground surface to the tracks. The site may have also contained a signal station for the overhead railway. Historical evidence indicates that the site was continually used for access to the railways into the early 20th century. Once this part of the city was developed in the latter half of the 20th century, the site became pedestrian access with a small greenspace installed containing an upright tram carriage art installation fronting the intersection of Spencer and Flinders Street.FLINDER'S STREET THOROUGHFARE (AT BATMANS HILL) - Interpretation of Site
The site represents a carriageway between Melbourne City and the goods sheds formerly located in the Spencer Street rail yard (north-east of site) and possible remains of the early development of Melbourne (prior to 1880).
Heritage Inventory Description
FLINDER'S STREET THOROUGHFARE (AT BATMANS HILL) - Heritage Inventory Description
The site is on the north-eastern corner of the Flinders and Spencer St. intersection in Melbourne’s CBD. Currently, it is a railway viaduct underpass between 630 Flinders Street -and 27-31 Spencer Street. The railway viaduct itself is included on the HO (HO#1336). The majority of the site was recently covered with asphalt which was removed as part of proposed works, exposing a bluestone carriageway. In the eastern part of the site a small green area which houses an upturned tramcar art installation. Directly abutting the south-western proposed extent of the site is a brick retaining wall included on the Heritage Overlay (HO#651) and VHR (H0932). The site is also bounded by Flinders street to the south (VHI#7822-1959), Spencer street to the east (VHI# H7822-1961), an access lane to the west and railway infrastructure to the north. Immediately to the north-east of the site (outside proposed site extent) is the Former Victorian Railway Headquarters (VHR #H0699).
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