The City of Melbourne is moving to protect one of the city’s oldest and most cherished neighbourhoods, with the release of the final Carlton Heritage Review.
More than 20 new sites in Carlton have been identified for heritage protection, including the much-loved Lincoln Square, the Chinese Church of Christ and a former manufacturing building at RMIT University.
Heritage portfolio lead Councillor Rohan Leppert said the Carlton heritage review is the latest in a series of independent expert reviews to identify and protect the city’s heritage.
“We’ve been stepping up our protection for sites of significant heritage value to Melbourne, providing certainty and clarity to landowners, businesses and the community,” Cr Leppert said.
“Inner Melbourne’s character is defined by layers of history, and the public experience of Melbourne is richer when these layers can be seen.
“An important part of this review is protecting sites of social importance, such as the Chinese Church of Christ on Queensberry Street. Purpose built by Carlton’s Chinese community in 1905, this a culturally and historically significant site which has been operating for more than 110 years.
“As Melbourne continues to evolve and suburbs like Carlton attract more attention from developers, businesses and new residents, it’s important that the Melbourne Planning Scheme reflects what is valued by the community. The Carlton Heritage Review will soon go to public exhibition, to ensure that proposed heritage protections meet public expectations.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said Carlton’s unique history and character deserve the strongest level of heritage protection.
“Carlton is one of our most iconic suburbs, home to some of the city’s first residents and a strong multicultural community,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.
“Everywhere you turn in Carlton there are architectural jewels and historic places, such as the site of the former Children’s Hospital Precinct on Pelham Street. Established in 1876, this was Victoria’s principal hospital for children and paediatric care for almost 90 years.
“These places play an important role in the celebrated architectural diversity of Carlton.
“By retaining the heritage fabric of our suburbs, we not only protect our history but also help the local economy by strengthening interest in the area and encouraging more people to visit, work or live in the city.”
While the majority of Carlton’s Victorian and Edwardian era architecture is covered by a Heritage Overlay, the heritage review will protect some of the area’s most significant interwar, postwar and postmodern buildings.
In addition to the new places being added to the Heritage Overlay, the heritage review includes the creation of three small precincts, and changes to the heritage category for 59 places.
The sites identified for heritage protection in the review will now go through the City of Melbourne’s Planning Scheme Amendment process, which will include a period of public consultation.
