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HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX
54 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN, BOROONDARA CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register
Northern ends of east [Platform 1] buildings viewed from the Evansdale Rd footpath
Northern ends of east [Platform 1] buildings viewed from the Evansdale Rd footpath
Northern ends of east [Platform 1] buildings viewed from the Evansdale Rd footpath
Looking north from the mid-point of the edge of Platform 2 - the Station nameboard and back-to-back timber benches in foreground are significant elements
HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX EXTENT DIAGRAM 1566
Aerial photo of Hawthorn Railway Station Complex showing Registration extent
Looking southward along Platform 1 at its buildings and canopy - the canopy timber king-post trusses and support brackets of bent rail are visible
Platform 1 - timber-framed glazed doors, sidelights and early wall-mounted Station nameboard
Platform 1 - base of stairs to the overbridge
Looking south beneath the Platform 1 cantilever-truss canopy
Southeast elevation of the Platform 1 building viewed from the carparking area
Platform 1 building - glazed timber doors and awning within the southeast-facing elevation
Platform 1 building - southwest elevation
Small standalone building between Platform 1 building and Evansdale Rd
Platform 1-side buildings viewed from the south on Evansdale Rd
Looking north-east within the Burwood Rd end of the Platform 1 building - the king-post roof trusses abut those of the platform canopy outside the wall to the left
Looking south-west within the Burwood Rd end of the Platform 1 building
Looking at Platform 3 from the north, with the entire Platform 2 and 3 canopy visible
Looking from the north along the edge of Platform 3 - the matching curvature of the canopy roof and platform edge is evident
Painted cast iron and timber fence and gate components beneath the northern end of the Platform 2 and 3 canopy
Small building under the northern end of the Platform 2 and 3 canopy
The roofed footbridge and its access stairs links the two Platforms at their mid-points
The roofed footbridge and its access stairs links the two Platforms at their mid-points
Access stairs to footbridge viewed from the southwest - from beneath the Platform 2 and 3 canopy
Looking northwards along the edge of Platform 2 with the south elevation of the roofed footbridge between the Platforms visible at upper right
Looking from the west at the northern ends of the buildings and canopies on Platforms 1, 2 and 3
Looking north and upwards along the pedestrian walkway which links the island Platforms 2 and 3 with the south-side footpath on Burwood Rd bridge
Looking north along Platform 3 at the west-facing brick wall beneath the walkway
The northern-most of the arched alcoves beneath the pedestrian walkway have been enclosed to create storage areas
This building under the southern end of the Platform 2 and 3 canopy was constructed in 2014 and contains facilities for Protective Services Officers
HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX SOHE 2008
HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX SOHE 2008
hawthorn railway station centre platform entrance
hawthorn railway station end view
hawthorn railway station platform detail
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Hawthorn Railway Station Complex including its platforms, the weatherboard-clad Station buildings alongside Platform 1, the canopies over the Platforms, the roofed footbridge linking the Platforms, and the sloping walkway which links Platform 2 and 3 with the Burwood Road bridge. Significant elements include the timber benches and white-on-black Station nameboards, the sloping walkway's cast iron balustrades and gates, and timber posts and gates on Platform 2 and 3 under the canopy's northern end. The small weatherboard-clad building constructed in 2014 on Platform 2 and 3 beneath the southern end of its canopy is not significant.

How is it significant?
The Hawthorn Railway Station Complex is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

Criterion A

Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria's cultural history.


Why is it significant?

The Hawthorn Railway Station Complex is significant at the State level for the following reasons:

The Hawthorn Railway Station Complex is historically significant for its clear association with the initial operation and expansion of privately-owned railway services across the Yarra River in the early 1860s. As the first extension of the suburban rail system to the east across the Yarra it played an important role in the transformation of Melbourne from a walking city to a commuter city. The early 1880s buildings at Platform 1 demonstrate the first of the Victorian Government's alterations and additions to the Station following its 1878 acquisition of this line. The island platform (Platform 2 and 3) illustrates the 1880s, 1890s and early 1900s modifications to this Station when its original role as a terminus evolved due to the extension of its single-track line eastward to Camberwell, the subsequent duplication of that line, and the construction of a 2.4km branch line which until the 1950s extended from Hawthorn northward to Kew Station. [Criterion A]

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    • History

      HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX - History

      Hawthorn Railway Station first opened on 13 April 1861. It was initially the terminus of a branch line from Richmond, operated by the privately-owned Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company, and comprised a single platform (at the location of the present-day Platform 1). In 1865 the Company was absorbed by a competitor and rebranded as the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay United Railway Company, which in turn was taken over by the Victorian Government in 1878. The central portion of the timber building on Platform 1 dates from the early 1880s, and additions have been constructed at both ends of this building. After the railway line from Hawthorn was extended to Camberwell in 1882 a second platform was built at Hawthorn to accommodate the duplicated track. A two-station single track branch line linking Hawthorn to Kew opened in 1887, and following this the present-day island Platform 2 and 3 was constructed in 1890. The large canopy on this island platform, originally located at Flinders Street Station over the St Kilda and Port Melbourne platforms, was dismantled and then rebuilt at Hawthorn on its Platform 2 and 3 in1901. The signal box and waiting facilities buildings constructed on this platform at that time are no longer extant. After the Kew line's official closure in 1957, Platform 3 at Hawthorn was repurposed in 1963 to serve an additional line for trains travelling between the city and Camberwell. Apart from the additions and alterations to the Platform 1 building since its original construction, minimal change occurred at the Hawthorn Railway Station during much of the twentieth century and this has resulted in the retention of much of the Complex's original fabric.

      KEY REFERENCES:

      Goad, Philip, 'RAILWAY STATIONS', pp.581-583 in eds Philip Goad & Julie Willis, The Encyclopedia of Australian Architecture (2012), Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne.

      Hawthorn, within 'Victorian Railway Stations' website,

      via http://www.vicrailstations.com/Healesville/Hawthorn/Hawthorn.html

      Lee, Robert (2007), The Railways of Victoria 1854-2004, Melbourne University Publishing: Carlton, Vic.

      Meredith Gould Conservation Architects (1992), Hawthorn Heritage Study.

      National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Database citation: 'Railway Station', File Number B4597.

      'vicsig.net' railways in Victoria website, especially:

      Hawthorn page, at http://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Hawthorn

      . Lilydale Line page, at http://vicsig.net/infrastructure/line/lilydale

      . Kew Line page, at http://vicsig.net/infrastructure/line/Kew

      Ward, A., Donnelly, A., in Association with the Australian Railway Historical Society (March 1982), Victoria's Railway Stations: An Architectural Survey:

      . Volume 1: Introduction and Summary, and

      . Volume 3: The Great Railway Age 1880 - 1900.

      Plaque Citation

      HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX - Plaque Citation

      In 1861 this station was the first to be built east of the Yarra River. The terminus of a privately-owned line until its 1878 takeover by the Victorian Government, it played an important part in the transformation of Melbourne from a walking city to a commuter city.

      Permit Exemptions

      HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX - 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:

      It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act 2017). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.92 of the Heritage Act 2017).

      General Condition 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 Condition 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.

      General Condition 3

      All works should ideally be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.

      General Condition 4

      Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.

      General Condition 5

      Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.

      Specific Permit Exemptions:

      Station Site

      . Repairs to - or replacement of - rail track, sleepers and ballast.

      . Repairs to, replacement of, renewal of and alterations to any electric or electronic signalling equipment.

      . Removal of, rewiring or restructuring of live overhead power wires.

      . Repositioning or renewal of wire support structures.

      . Installation of lighting on existing light poles, speakers, monitor cameras, and monitor screens.

      . Repairs to, or replacement or installation of rubbish bins, seating, bicycle racks and other small items.

      . Resurfacing of the platforms with asphalt.

      . Repainting of line marking within car-parking area.

      . Minor repairs and maintenance to path surfaces, steps, kerbs and gutters.

      Landscape

      . The process of gardening, including mowing, hedge clipping, bedding displays, removal of dead shrubs and replanting the same species or cultivar, disease and weed control, and maintenance to care for existing plants.

      . The removal or pruning of dead or dangerous trees to maintain safety.

      . Removal of plants listed as noxious weeds in the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

      . Vegetation protection and management of possums and vermin.

      Building Exteriors

      . Minor repairs and maintenance which replace like with like.

      . Removal of extraneous items such as air conditioners, pipe work, ducting, wiring, antennae and aerials.

      . Installation or repair of damp-proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method.

      . Painting of previously painted surfaces provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of the original paint or other decorative scheme.

      Building Interiors

      . Painting of previously painted walls and ceilings provided that preparation or painting does not remove evidence of any original paint or other decorative scheme (no stained timberwork is to be painted).

      . Removal of paint from originally unpainted or oiled joinery, doors, architraves, skirtings and decorative strapping by non-abrasive methods.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of non-original carpets and/or flexible floor coverings.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of non-original curtain tracks, rods and blinds.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of mirrors, paintings and other wall-mounted artworks.

      . Refurbishment of bathrooms, toilets and kitchens including removal, installation or replacement of non-original sanitary fixtures and associated piping, mirrors, wall and floor coverings, kitchen benches and fixtures including sinks, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers etc and associated plumbing and wiring.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of electrical wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original light switches, pull cords, push buttons or power outlets are retained in-situ. Note: if wiring original to the place was carried in timber conduits then the conduits should remain in situ.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of bulk insulation in the roof space.

      . Installation, removal or replacement of smoke detectors.

      Permit Exemption Policy

      HAWTHORN RAILWAY STATION COMPLEX - Permit Exemption Policy

      Preamble

      The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.

      The extent of registration of the Hawthorn Railway Station Complex in the Victorian Heritage Register affects the whole place shown on Diagram 1566 including the land, buildings, platforms, canopy roofs, footbridge, pedestrian ramp to Burwood Road, and other features. Under the Heritage Act 2017 a person must not remove or demolish, damage or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.

      If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.

      Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted. Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor works or works to the elements of the place or object that are not significant. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.49(3) of the Heritage Act) or after registration (under s.92(1), s.92(3) and s.92(5) of the Heritage Act).

      It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the interior and exterior of existing buildings, requires a permit unless a specific permit exemption is granted.

      Conservation management plans

      It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner which respects its cultural heritage significance.

      Aboriginal cultural heritage

      If any Aboriginal cultural heritage is discovered or exposed at any time it is necessary to immediately contact Aboriginal Victoria to ascertain requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

      Other approvals

      Please be aware that approval from other authorities (such as local government) may be required to undertake works.

      Archaeology

      This place has the potential to contain historical archaeological deposits. If any historical archaeological remains are discovered or exposed at any time, it is necessary to immediately contact Heritage Victoria.

      Cultural heritage significance

      Overview of significance

      The cultural heritage significance of the Hawthorn Railway Station Complex lies in the physical fabric of the place, particularly the platforms, the weatherboard-clad Station buildings alongside Platform 1, the weather-board-clad building at the north end of the island Platform 2 and 3, the canopies over the Platforms, the roofed footbridge linking the Platforms, and the sloping walkway which links Platform 2 and 3 with the Burwood Road bridge. Significant elements include the timber benches and white-on-black Station nameboards, the sloping walkway's cast iron balustrades and gates, and the timber posts and gates on Platform 2 and 3 under the canopy's northern end. The small weatherboard-clad building situated beneath the southern end of Platform 2 and 3's canopy was constructed in 2014 and is of no cultural heritage significance.

  • Notes See all notes

    Shelter on island platform

    11/04/16

    The shelter on Hawthorn's island platforms 2/3 was originally part of Flinders Street station, before being shifted to Hawthorn during construction of the 1910 Flinders St Stration complex.

Public contributions

Notes See all notes

Shelter on island platform

11/04/16

The shelter on Hawthorn's island platforms 2/3 was originally part of Flinders Street station, before being shifted to Hawthorn during construction of the 1910 Flinders St Stration complex.

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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