STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWER
MONUMENT TRACK BETE BOLONG NORTH, EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
Stringers Knob Fire Spotting Tower is an experimental single-pole fire detecting tower erected in 1941.How is it significant?
Stringers Knob Fire Spotting Tower is of historic and scientific (technical) significance to the state of Victoria.Why is it significant?
Stringers Knob Fire Spotting Tower is of historical significance for its association with the aftermath of the 1939 bushfires, demonstrating the efforts of the Forests Commission to improve fire safety in Victoria. Its unusual design is of historical importance in the development of safety measures for Victorians.-
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STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWER - History
CONTEXTUAL HISTORY
Following the devastating fires which swept across Victoria in 1939, a state-wide search for improved fire detection measures was begun. Seven major recommendations were made by Judge Stretton at the Royal Commission into the fires, including better cooperation between competing government departments, and more flexible and comprehensible laws of protection and prevention. The Forests Act 1939, which enabled the Forests Commission to take complete control of fire suppression and prevention on public land in Victoria, where previously the responsibility had been shared with the Board of Works. The Country Fire Authority was formed in 1944 to manage fire on private land outside greater Melbourne. Controlled burning of forests during spring and autumn also became an official fire management practice in Victoria.
The Forests Commission installed a network fire spotting towers and phone lines across Gippsland.
HISTORY OF PLACE
Stringer's Knob Fire tower was an experimental design commissioned by the Inspector of Forests in East Gippsland and built by Clem Heather. With the two trees bolted together, the pole was pulled upright by means of a 35 HP tractor and an elaborate block and tackle system. The height and location of the tower enabled unrestricted views of the surrounding forest as far as Marlo, over 40 kilometres away. The fire spotters were required to spend the week at the tower alone, sleeping in a tin shed at the foot of the tower, and spending the rest of the time in the small wooden cabin atop the pole. Spotters radioed through sightings of suspect smoke. The job of fire spotting did not appeal to everyone. An undated letter (from DSE Orbost), withdraws an application on the ground "After studying your specification for the position, I find I am no longer interested. My commitments compel me to be home each night"
Stringers Knob Fire Spotting Tower was in use until the 1960s. It was noted in 1967 that 'it is unlikely that any more single pole towers will be built as even the Forests Commission has accepted steel as a substitute for wood in the field of tower construction.STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWER - Plaque Citation
This experimental single pole fire spotting tower was erected in 1941, as the Forests Commission sought to improve fire detection following the devastating 1939 'Black Friday' fires. Fire spotters had unrestricted views of the surrounding forest from the cabin.
STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWER - 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.Specific Exemptions:General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component. General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and plan endorsed by the Executive Director, all works shall be in accordance with it. Note: The existence of a Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan endorsed by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria provides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan. General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works may submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted. Vegetation clearance and management is permit exempt.Fuel reduction programs and fire suppression activities which do not impact on the significant structure are permit exempt.
STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWER - Permit Exemption Policy
The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to the place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing any proposed works will assist in answering any questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place. It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is undertaken to assist with the future management of the cultural significance of the place.
The extent of registration protects the whole site. The addition of new buildings to the site may impact upon the cultural heritage significance of the place and requires a permit. The purpose of this requirement is not to prevent any further development on this site, but to enable control of possible adverse impacts on heritage significance during that process.
The significance of the place lies in its rarity and intactness as an unusual design of a fire spotting tower, built in the aftermath of the Black Friday fires. All of the registered building is integral to the significance of the place and any external or internal alterations that impact on its significance are subject to permit application.
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STRINGERS KNOB FIRE SPOTTING TOWERVictorian Heritage Register H2244
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