External fabric
It is policy to:
- Preserve external fabric that contributes to the significance of the heritage place on any part of a significant building, and on any visible part of a contributory building.
- Ensure alterations to non-contributory buildings and fabric respect, and not detract, from the assessed significance of the heritage precinct.
Fabric
Fabric means all the physical material of the heritage place.
Cultural significance
Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations.
Figure 4: External fabric
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Brunetti, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
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Verandahs or awnings
It is policy to:
- Support reconstruction of an original awning or verandah where it is based on evidence of the original form, detailing and materials.
- Support new awnings or verandahs that are an appropriate contextual design response, compatible with the location on the heritage place and that can be removed without loss of fabric.
Contextual design
A contextual design for new buildings and additions to existing buildings is one which adopts a design approach, derived through analysis of the subject property and its heritage context. Such an approach requires new development to comfortably and harmoniously integrate with the site and the street character.
Figure 5: Verandahs or awnings
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Figure 6: 550 Queensberry Street before and after awning reconstruction
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Surfaces
It is policy to:
- Avoid sandblasting of render, masonry or timber surfaces and painting of previously unpainted surfaces.
- Encourage removal of paint from original unpainted masonry or other surfaces, provided it can be undertaken without damage to the heritage place.
Figure 7: Surfaces
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Figure 8: Morrah Street, Parkville - before and after paint removal
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Decision guidelines
Before deciding on an application to alter the fabric of a significant or contributory building, the responsible authority will consider, as relevant:
- The assessed significance of the building and heritage place.
- The degree to which the alterations would detract from the significance, character and appearance of the building and heritage place.
- The structural condition of the building.
- The character and appearance of the proposed replacement materials.
- Whether the alterations can be reversed without loss of fabric which contributes to the significance of the heritage place.
