George Dickie arrived in the Bacchus Marsh area around 1857. In 1863, he married Ellen Ross Anderson, and after five years of farming in Coimadai, they moved into Bacchus Marsh and established a business. In 1866 he bought the bakery business which had been established by James Boatwood and later conducted by William Watson. This business was in Main Street and is shown in this image during the time it was owned and operated by George Dickie. Ellen and George Dickie had seven children, two sons and five daughters. In his later years he changed the business into a general store and also engaged in grain dealing. He died in 1904 but the business was carried on by his sons until sold in March 1916 to a Charles Medling from Numurkah. The building was later demolished in 1927 to make way for four new shops.Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The picture shows the business of George Dickie which was located in Main Street Bacchus Marsh. The building is a brick or stone structure with a verandah along the entire frontage of the building. Standing in front of the building is a group of adults and children. On the far left is a man wearing a dress coat and hat. He is possibly Mr. George Dickie the owner of this business. To his left are some younger and older children, and a woman, possibly Mrs DIckie. In the background in the doorway is a young boy with woman behind him. On the right of the picture on the street is a man standing alongside a horse and cart. Some advertising signs are leaning against the shop, footpath and verandah pillar. One of them says 'Chaff, Oats, Bran'. Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, bakeries, shops bacchus marsh, george dickie 1831-1904, dickie family bacchus marsh

Percy Fairlam was an early 20th Century photographer living and working in Cheltenham. Fairlam captured important social and landscape scenes in and around the Cheltenham area including cliff faces, sea baths, and rock pools. With the outbreak of World War I (WWI), Fairlam began training in Seymour and documented preparations for war, comradeship and the voyage to France and war. Shrapnel to the shoulder, on 4 January 1917, saw Fairlam evacuated to England and resulted in him being separated from his personal possessions. As such, all these images have been lost. After the war, Fairlam moved into the family business and no longer pursued professional photography. However, he continued to take an interest in the art form capturing intimate family moments as well as continuing to capture social and landscape scenes.Black and white photograph of a Richard William Percy Fairlam (Percy Fairlam) standing in the doorway of a small wooden building. Above the doorway is a painted sign advertising it as the photography business of R.P. Fairlam. In the large window at the front of the shop a number of photographs can be seen.Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 115% Black printed text on a white round sticker on reverse: 71

Reproduction slide of a coloured postcard showing a cable tram in Johnston St Collingwood. Tram has the destination of Carlton. Looking west from Hoddle St on a quiet day with some horse drawn vehicles. There are signs for E. Sutcliffe chemist, Havelock Tobacco and sign advertising 1/3d tea. Photo around 1900.Yields information about Johnston St Collingwood.Kodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Colour slide - reproduction from a postcard - Johnston St Carlton "CB16" in penciltrams, tramways, cable cars, cable trams, carlton, johnston st, collingwood

Well known photograph of the interchange between cable and horse trams at Moreland Road and Sydney Road Brunswick for the Coburg horse tram line. Has two cable tram sets in the background. Coburg horse Tram No. 4, with the now Moreland Hotel in the background. A sign advertising "Patterson & Sons Auctioneers Melbourne" can be seen adjacent to the hotel. Yields information about the tram interchange at Moreland and Sydney Roads Coburg.Black and white photograph - Moreland Road tram interchange with a typed caption "Moreland Hotel 1890".tramways, trams, coburg horse tramway, coburg, horse trams, cable cars, moreland road, sydney road, moreland hotel

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor containing 86 post cards. See 1400 Colour photo of Hay St and Town Hall, Perth, W.A 2 horse-drawn vehicles parked at side. People walking on road and pavement. Sign advertising 'Pollard's Comic Opera Co' Addressed to Miss A. Stapleton, Arcade, Bendigo, Victoria Sender - Emmie PO Dated 5 July 1905 postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

Rose Series postcard No. P 3034 titled "Flinders St Railway station Melbourne" - with a W2 class tram about to cross Swanston Street. Some motor cars are in the view, some waiting to do their hook turns. A Policeman on point duty can be seen. The station has a large sign advertising Springtime at Mt Buffalo National Park.Yields information about the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Sts.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.trams, tramways, w2 class, flinders st station, flinders st, swanston st

White receipt from the Bendigo Advertiser Office, Market Square, Sandhurst,dated Oct 11, 1872. Received from ? W. B. Evans the sum of 5/- sterling, for Advertising, &c. Mackay & Co. Signed by Eded Cunningham.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - receipt, bendigo advertiser, w b evans, mackay & co, edwd cunningham

The two-storey red brick with concrete detailing hall building, according to Vaughan (1960) was the 'meeting place for very many lodges in the various degrees of Freemasonry. The first lodge to be established was the Pentalpha Lodge, No. 90'Rare colour photo of a significant hall in Kew, now demolished and replaced with a carpark.35mm colour transparency (slide) of the former Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, Kew. The two-storey red brick with concrete detailing hall building, according to Vaughan (1960). In from of the building is an A-frame sign advertising the Kew Historical Society which at that time (c.1980) shared the building with other organisations under the banner of 'The Copy Shop'. freemasonry -- kew (vic.), masonic hall -- kew (vic.), walpole street -- kew (vic.)

Set of 7 items related to the proposed extension of the BTM's depot to the south, Dec. 2019. Comprises: .1 - Newspaper clipping from The Courier, 19/12/2019 titled "Tram Museum's big plans", advising that the proposal was being advertised by Heritage Victoria, along with a photo of No. 26. .2 - Newspaper clipping from The Courier, 18/12/2019 for the advertising the permit application under the Heritage Act 2017 - in the Public Notice section. .3 - Digital image of "Museum Extension - Heritage Impact Statement - revised Oct. 2019." - 16 A4 pages. .4 - Digital image of Plans - 8 sheets of the proposal by MKM constructions. .5 - Digital image of Report - Urber Arbor - Arboricultural Report - Tree Management Plan. .6 - Digital image of Coloured site plan and drawings showing proposal depot trackwork and support mechanism around trees. Note this does not open on dbTextWorks interface. .7 - Digital image of 11 sheets of concept plans for the exterior and interior of the museum proposal by MKM Constructions. .8 - digital image of the advertising sign on the rear wall of the depot taken 7-1-2019. A similar poster was on the south east corner of the depot.btm, museum, drawings, depot extensions, heritage buildings, heritage, trackwork

Sign for advertising or promoting Metlink - the marketing body and umbrella brand for public train, tram and bus transport operators in Melbourne, Australia. Commenced in 2003. On 2 April 2012, the operations of Metlink were transferred to the newly created public transport planning and management authority, Public Transport Victoria.Yields information about some of the public transport signage used by Metlink.Sign with adhesive backing. The letters have their own adhesive which would allow them to be placed on a wall or window.public transport, melbourne, signs, metlink

One of a series of photographs donated by the City Engineer of the former City of Kew, showing road works. The photos variably include council workers, signage and equipment.One of a series of photographs of core local government services as practised by the City of Kew. The photographs are an accurate record of street works of the period. Original black and white photographic positive of a sign advertising roadworks in the City of Kew. The photograph was probably taken in what was then the Kew Council Depot on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets. The sign reads: "City of Kew / Roadworks in Progress / High Street - Belford Road to Derby St. / Duration of works May to Aug 77 / Motorists are advised to use alternative route". city of kew, local government -- city of kew, road works, street works, kew city depot

One of a series of photographs donated by the City Engineer of the former City of Kew, relating to road works. The photos variably include council workers, signage and equipment.One of a series of photographs of core local government services as practised by the City of Kew. The photographs are an accurate record of street works of the period. Original black and white photographic positive of a sign advertising roadworks in the City of Kew. The photograph was probably taken in what was then the Kew Council Depot on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets. The sign reads: "City of Kew / Roadworks in Progress / High Street - Belford Road to Derby St. / Duration of works May to Aug 77 / Motorists are advised to use alternative route".city of kew, local government -- city of kew, road works, street works, kew city depot

Edward Blatchford Wright was born in 1894 in Birmingham, son of Edward Wright and Florence Emuss. It is not known when he migrated to Australia but he served in the AIF during WW1, seeing action in France. On enlistment aged 20 years 9 months, he gave his occupation as farmer. He married Gertrude Matilda Wain in 1919. He came to Surrey Hills c1924. He was a grocer in the area for several decades with shops in Canterbury Road. In 1942 he is listed at 235 Union Road. This was a residential address. Alan Holt's Surrey Hills property register places him at 365 Canterbury Road (c1920-1930) and 359 Canterbury Road (c1930-1940). He died in 1972 in Mont Albert. His last electoral roll entry in 1968 gives 18 Serpentine Street, Mont Albert. He and his wife are buried in Burwood Cemetery.Black and white photo of the exterior of Edward Blanchford Wright's grocery shop in Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. The screen door is open and William Reynolds stands in the opening, dressed in a long white coat. The window displays are stacked high with cans and packages and large signs advertising the prices of goods. There is advertising on the windows for Marmite, Glen Valley tea, Preservene soap and Brockoff's biscuits. advertising, shops, grocers, businesses, union road shops, edward blatchford wright, william reynolds, burwood cemetery, world war 1, canterbury road

On 15 December 1994 the former Shire of Eltham ceased to exist following the Liberal Kennett Government local council amalgamations. A new Nillumbik Shire Council was established with unelected commissioners appointed. That Council sold the former Eltham Shire Council Offices and land at 89S Main Road Eltham to Dallas Price Homes Pty. Ltd. the sale being conditional upon the granting of a planning permit for a petrol station/convenience store, fast food and video outlet. The sale was conditional that if the permit was not granted by 30 August. 1997, the contract could be avoided by either the purchaser or the vendor. The proposed development consisted of a petrol station with undercover fuelling facilities, convenience shopping, a drive through service facility for fast food, an 80 seat cafe, automated banking, a children's play area and retail space. In addition, the proposal included a 200 square metre community facility for Council use, provision of on site carparking over 2 levels for 83 vehicles, and advertising signage. The Advisory Committee was appointed under Section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to hear submissions on the proposal to develop the land at 895 Main Road Eltham, the site of the former Eltham Shire Offices. In September 1996, two applications were made by Contour Consultants Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Dallas Price Homes Ply Ltd, to Nillumbik Shire Council. After extensive notification, the Council received 213 objections and a petition of over 1400 signatures. On October 9, 1996, Nillumbik Shire Council issued Notices of Decision to Grant Permit on Applications number 96/03376 and 96/0377 for the use and development of the land as a convenience Centre consisting of a petrol station, convenience store, cafe/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and a community facility, with associated advertising signs. Objectors to the proposals lodged Planning Appeals number 96/40724 and 96/40812 with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on November 1, 1996. The grounds of appeal can be summarised as: inappropriate development, insufficient carparking, traffic and access issues, unsatisfactory design, inadequate permit conditions, the proposal being out of character with the area. and being contrary to the purpose and orderly development of the Eltham Town Centre, excessive noise, lack of consultation and unsuitable signage. On November 13, 1996, the Minister for Planning and Local Government directed the Registrar of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. under Section 41 (1) (a) of the Planning Act 1980, to refer the Appeals to the Governor in Council for determination without a hearing or recommendation by the Tribunal. The Minister for Planning and Local Government called in the Appeals as he considered that they raised major issues of policy relating to the facilitation of development in accordance with the objectives set out in Section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and that determination of the Appeals could have a substantial effect on the achievement of these planning objectives. The Minister required the Advisory Committee to consider the planning merits of the proposed use and development, and to address the issues raised in the objections. The Advisory Committee was required to produce a report providing: • The Committee's response to the matters detailed; • Relevant supporting information for the Advisory Committee's recommendation; and • A description of the proceedings conducted by the Advisory Committee and a list of those consulted or heard by the Committee. In March 1997, elections were held in the Shire of Nillumbik and the view of the new Council to this proposal differed from the view held by the earlier Council Hence the Submission made to the Committee by the Shire was against the decision by the Shire of Nillumbik to issue the Notices of Decision to Grant a Permit. The Recommendations of the Advisory Committee were: i. The cafe and take away food premises are as of right uses and are therefore allowable, but that shop and petrol station are unacceptable uses. A community facility is a discretionary use and is acceptable. ii. A development of the type and scale proposed is totally inappropriate for this land and that the Applications number 96/03376 and 96/0377 for the use and development of the land as a convenience Centre consisting of a petrol station, convenience store, café/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and a community facility, with associated advertising signs, be refused. iii. The land should be rezoned for public purposes and should remain in the community's ownership for community use. 895 main road, advisory committee, dallas price homes, eltham, eltham shire office, nillumbik shire council, planning application, administrative appeals tribunal

Black and white negative from Wal Jack collection of the Elizabeth St terminus with W2 607 in the shunt, route 50, to North Melbourne while another W2 waits. A man with large sack over his shoulder is walking to the footpath. In the background is the Flinders St Station with a sign advertising Sunday excursion fares. Photo c1930. Photo may not be by Wal Jack as a size that he did not use.trams, tramways, elizabeth st, flinders st station, route 50, w2 class, tram 607

Black and White Photo, The 'Beehive Chambers', Signs and advertising read - 'Café + Restaurant', 'Henderson & Goodisson', 'Ezy Wakin', 'Beehive Stores', Markings on back of photo read Mining Exchange, Pall Mall, Sandhurst. Three horse carriages with driver and passenger. T. H. Henderson. J. H. Goodison.buildings, commercial, beehive building, beehive stores, beehive, beehive chambers, pall mall, mining exchange, henderson & goodisson, t.h. henderson, j.r. goodisson

This is the before paired photograph used in the 150 year, Lakes Entrance 1858-2008 display.|The after paired photograph number is 01402.1|Also one 12 x 16 framed photograph used in room display.Black and white photograph of Barkes Store. Store was built in 1893, opposite the Post Office on Esplanade. Photo shows a large weatherboard building, hipped iron roof, imitation gables and timber frieze decorate the veranda roof. Building has many signs advertising various goods, products and services. A four-horse drawn wagon and crowd of people at front of the store, on ground-level wooden veranda floor. Lakes Entrance VictoriaLakes Entrance Cunninghame Gippsland, Victoriatransport, township, retail trade, room display

Roadside buildings, formerly Doney's General Store. Doney's operated from the 1880s through to the late 1960s. It was situated at the head of the present day Research shops on Main Road near the corner of Raglan Road. By the 1960s it was under new ownership. The Store had a residence at the back. Signs promote The Herald and Sun newspapers, four 'n twenty pies, coca cola and more. A public phone box is in the front of the store. Beside the store is possibly an old farm building with more signs advertising honey, Streets, Tarax and a local bottle dump. Lyn Dodkins used to work in the Store after school.Digital file onlygeneral store, research (vic.), milkbar, lyn dodkins

Photograph of the south end of St Kilda Road, before the full reconstruction of High Street St Kilda (now St Kilda Road) but after the reconstruction of the Queens Road underpass, photo c1975. Shows the buildings at the junction including the Tower Hotel in the distance. Signs for advertising include Repco, Caltex Astron, UniRoyal Tyres, and Dunlop Tyres. The "Timeline history of Melbourne Tramways etc Barry George et al" gives the date of the opening of the High St section as March 1975.Yields information about the redevelopment of St Kilda Junction.Black and White Photograph with notes on the rear.On rear of photograph in ink "St Kilda Road Junction Stage One complete c1975"trams, tramways, high st, st kilda junction, st kilda rd

Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This item is significant because it documents proposals put forward by Bob Hymans to develop facilities in the Falls Creek Tourist Area.Two unsigned handwritten notes related to signs and developments on SIte 4A at Falls Creek leased by Bob HymansTranscript: Copy keep 22/6/66 I beg to inform you that it is my intention to erect a sign advertising my business. It will be manufactured by a plastic sign firm, be positioned under the eaves of the Four Seasons Chalet and lit you by night. Yours faithfully ________________________________________ I am taking the liberty herewith to I apply for your permission to erect a Ladies Hairdressing Salon on Site 4A Yours faithfully.falls creek tourist area management committee, falls creek administration, plan for ladies hairdressing salon

The remaining trailers 2 and 3 (after Nos 1 and 4 had been motorised) and a line of Duncan & Fraser tramcars in the depot. The broken paving and heaps of sand suggest that the tram shed is being extended to add roads 3 and 4 to the west. That would date the photo as 1914. Regattas were held on the Barwon River at the terminus of the South tramline which was linked directly to the other suburban destinations, Newtown and West Geelong. The standard fare was 3d cash or, for some shorter "sectional" journeys, pre-paid 2d tickets. The sign advertising an event on the river indicates that no matter where passengers alighted, the concession fare was 2d, to be paid in cash rather than by ticket whose detailed sections were irrelevant.Black and white print on paper.No. 3 inside a circle written on reverse in pen. 13-13 and GRS710/17/1/13 written on the reverse in pencil.geelong tramway trailers no. 2 & 3, tram fares in geelong 1914

Photograph ( proof 48) of a group of six men and two women standing in front of a wooden building. The words ' _____'s Royal Mail Hotel' are painted on the façade (possibly Kenny's) and ' H. Kenny' is painted above the doorway. One of the males in the group is holding an infant, there is a ladder leaning against a pole on the right hand side of the photo. In the foreground there is a drinking trough with a sign attached, advertising a race meeting.buildings, hotel, royal mail, myers flat, royal mail hotel, myers flat, h. kenny

Rose Series postcard No. P 3288 titled "Swanston Street Melbourne", looking north from just past (or south) of Batman Ave. There are five trams in the view and one private Reo bus. W2 class tram 452 (route 64 - City). The trams have a white strip under the driver's windows indicating the war time black out measure. The sign board advertising tram routes to Wattle Park, Burwood etc can be seen above the footpath leading to Batman Ave.Yields information about Swanston St. at the intersection with Batman Ave.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.Has "K J Magor" stamp on rear.trams, tramways, w2 class, swanston st, bus, batman ave, tram 452, route 64, world war ii

Leslie John Bagust Collection. Black & White Photograph View Point Bendigo From Mitchell Street Streetscape. Souvenir Postcard Collection ?Rose Series. 1940. Scene looking North up View Street Lucas Café, on the corner, Alexandra Fountain in the centre, Newsagent opposite fountain. To the right of the newsagent heading north the Australian Mutual Provident Society and Davies Store are prominent features. Underneath Davies Store signs advertising Macrow Better Furniture Stores. Observe the tram line runs the length of Mitchell Street all the way up View Street.Valentine Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. Melbournebendigo, tourism, view point from mitchell street

Black & white photograph 20cm x 15cm of the Bendigo Butter Factory in Mundy St., mounted on cardboard. It appears to have been part of a display, with explanatory notes attached to each photograph. See 11011.30. On the reverse is the date 1950-1955 and a blue registration stamp with the words 'Pure creamery, Australia, Victoria regd'. Photograph is of the front entrance to the factory, with a small delivery van parked outside. The van has 'Mundy St' and 'Phone 82' along with a diagram of a square of butter. Above the front entrance to the factory are the words ' H & N Bendigo Butter & Ice Factory'. There is a small sign advertising ice sales. Above and below the photograph are the words - 'The Home of Bendigo Butter' and 'Locally made Bendigo Butter contains all the necessary vitamins' in black lettering.bendigo, industry, bendigo butter factory.

Set of five Colour slides, Kodak, brown cardboard of the removal of the Elsternwick Level crossing on 17-10-1959 .1 - looking east along Glenhuntly Road, showing the level crossing, concrete truck and road protection signs and the temporary track. .2 - W2 287 traversing the temporary track over the level crossing. Tram has the destination of route 4B, Sth Caulfield via Glenhuntly Road. Also has adverts for APEX and Fitwear socks. .3 - ditto on the crossing. .4 - ditto past the crossing. .5 - W2 551 (Carnegie Route 4) and L 103 (City route 4B) on the level crossing. 551 has adverts for Castle Vintage Sherry and Apex. 103 has adverts for Remy Martin Brandy, Alongside is a Victorian Railways sign advertising trains to the city.Hand writing on rear in ink; .1 - 17-10-59 - KFH1 .2 - KFH 1a .3 - KFH 1b .4 - KFH 1c .5 - KFH 1etrams, tramways, elsternwick, level crossings, railway squares, w2 class, l class, carnegie, south caulfield, glenhuntly rd, tram 287, tram 551, tram 103

View of Kalorama gap taken in 1907 showing Eliza Hand outside Beulah Tea Rooms, Briartys Coach, Dodd's Grocery cart and Meat Cutting cart. In foreground Fred Jeeves is standing and Theo Hand on hay. Mountjoy is in the background.This photograph has a detailed inscription on the back handwritten by John Lundy-Clarke in 1974.The Kalorama Gap in 1907. The coach road comes from right behind old stump. The shop was Hand's Beulah Tea Rooms soon to become the Mt Dandenong North Post Office. Big woman in black was Mrs Hand. wagon was Dodd's Grocery cart. "Mountjoy" on hilltop. The wagon with man was the first coach on the mount (Briartys). Small cart was Dodd's meat cutting cart. Horse at sledge was "Blossom" boy at her head was Fred Jeeves. Boy on sledge was Theo hand. Elm trees in centre of picture with Prices sign advertising shop and newsagency above them.mountjoy, beulah tea rooms, fred jeeves, theo hand, dodd's grocery cart, cart, coach, briartys

On 15 December 1994 the former Shire of Eltham ceased to exist following the Liberal Kennett Government local council amalgamations. A new Nillumbik Shire Council was established with unelected commissioners appointed. That Council sold the former Eltham Shire Council Offices and land at 89S Main Road Eltham to Dallas Price Homes Pty. Ltd. the sale being conditional upon the granting of a planning permit for a petrol station/convenience store, fast food and video outlet. The sale was conditional that if the permit was not granted by 30 August. 1997, the contract could be avoided by either the purchaser or the vendor. The proposed development consisted of a petrol station with undercover fuelling facilities, convenience shopping, a drive through service facility for fast food, an 80 seat cafe, automated banking, a children's play area and retail space. In addition, the proposal included a 200 square metre community facility for Council use, provision of on site carparking over 2 levels for 83 vehicles, and advertising signage. An Advisory Committee consisting of Dimitry Reed and Margaret Pitt was appointed under Section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to hear submissions on the proposal to develop the land at 895 Main Road Eltham, the site of the former Eltham Shire Offices. In September 1996, two applications were made by Contour Consultants Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Dallas Price Homes Ply Ltd, to Nillumbik Shire Council. After extensive notification, the Council received 213 objections and a petition of over 1400 signatures. On October 9, 1996, Nillumbik Shire Council issued Notices of Decision to Grant Permit on Applications number 96/03376 and 96/0377 for the use and development of the land as a convenience Centre consisting of a petrol station, convenience store, cafe/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and a community facility, with associated advertising signs. Objectors to the proposals lodged Planning Appeals number 96/40724 and 96/40812 with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on November 1, 1996. The grounds of appeal can be summarised as: inappropriate development, insufficient carparking, traffic and access issues, unsatisfactory design, inadequate permit conditions, the proposal being out of character with the area. and being contrary to the purpose and orderly development of the Eltham Town Centre, excessive noise, lack of consultation and unsuitable signage. On November 13, 1996, the Minister for Planning and Local Government directed the Registrar of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. under Section 41 (1) (a) of the Planning Act 1980, to refer the Appeals to the Governor in Council for determination without a hearing or recommendation by the Tribunal. The Minister for Planning and Local Government called in the Appeals as he considered that they raised major issues of policy relating to the facilitation of development in accordance with the objectives set out in Section 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and that determination of the Appeals could have a substantial effect on the achievement of these planning objectives. The Minister required the Advisory Committee to consider the planning merits of the proposed use and development, and to address the issues raised in the objections. The Advisory Committee was required to produce a report providing: • The Committee's response to the matters detailed; • Relevant supporting information for the Advisory Committee's recommendation; and • A description of the proceedings conducted by the Advisory Committee and a list of those consulted or heard by the Committee. In March 1997, elections were held in the Shire of Nillumbik and the view of the new Council to this proposal differed from the view held by the earlier Council Hence the Submission made to the Committee by the Shire was against the decision by the Shire of Nillumbik to issue the Notices of Decision to Grant a Permit. The Recommendations of the Advisory Committee were: i. The cafe and take away food premises are as of right uses and are therefore allowable, but that shop and petrol station are unacceptable uses. A community facility is a discretionary use and is acceptable. ii. A development of the type and scale proposed is totally inappropriate for this land and that the Applications number 96/03376 and 96/0377 for the use and development of the land as a convenience Centre consisting of a petrol station, convenience store, café/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and a community facility, with associated advertising signs, be refused. iii. The land should be rezoned for public purposes and should remain in the community's ownership for community use. Following this, the Minister for Planning and Local Government, the Hon. Robert Maclellan, appointed Mr. Paul Jerome as an Advisory Committee under section 151 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to consider a Convenience Centre and an alternative proposal by Iha Shire of Nillumbik being the Eltham Gateway Community Precinct Concept Plan for the site of the former Shire of Eltham municipal offices at 895 Main Road, Eltham. In summary, the terms of reference for the Advisory Committee required it to: • consider the merits of the Council proposal • examine the merits of both proposals in terms of net community benefit • address the report of the previous Advisory Committee on the Convenience Centre proposal The Advisory Committee inspected the site and considered all the material before It including submissions made by all parties to the previous Advisory Committee and correspondence received by the Department of Infrastructure both before and after that Committee submltted its report. The Advisory Committee also held discussions with the following people: • Cr. Robert Marshall • Cr. Margaret Jennings • Cr. Lex de Man • Mr. Dallas Howgate of Dallas Price Properties, also Dallas Price Homes • Mr. Barry Rochford, CEO, Shire of Nillumbik • Ms. Yvonne Rust, Planning Officer, Shire of Nillumbik • Mr. Gregory Burgess, Architect of the Eltham Library and of Council’s Community Precinct Concept Plan • Mr. Jim Connor representing Mrs Thelma Barkway of the Eltham Senior Citizens Club Having considered all the material before it, the Committee arrived at two basic conclusions. First, the DPP proposal should be rejected because, on its merits, It does not sufficiently satisfy the requirements of the planning scheme which is a statutory document. The planning scheme requires that, before making a decision on the permit applications for the DPP proposal, a range of matters must be considered. It follows that consideration of these matters should Influence the decision. These matters include local policies relating to character and amenity. In particular, these policies seek • to conserve and enhance the bushland/country atmosphere, artistic heritage and strong sense of community of the Eltham Town Centre by ensuring that the design and height of any new development is sympathetic to existing buildings • to achieve a pleasing physical environment within the Eltham Town Centre by encouraging a high standard of architecture and urban design • to encourage Improvement to pedestrian amenity through such facilities as open and shattered rest areas and meeting places, crossing facilities, pedestrian arcades, pedestrian links to car parks and pedestrian weather protection • to reduce conflict between vehicular traffic and pedestrian flows, and • to encourage pedestrian thoroughfares It is submitted, as set out In the main body of this report, that the DPP proposal fails substantially to meet these policies and In so doing does not merit the exercise of discretion In Its favour with the Issuing of a permit. This finding is not offset by the investment and employment attributes of the proposal. They do not override the need to comply with the planning scheme. Second, the Council proposal, on Its own merits, substantially meets all statutory requirements applicable to this site with a possible reservation about car parking and traffic management which need further definition and assessment as the concept is refined. The Council proposal, however, has a serious weakness in that Its financial viability has not been adequately tested. The Committee refers to 'financial' rather than 'commercial' viability in recognition that Council owns the land and may enter into a range of agreements and partnerships to realise its concept some of which may be truly commercial and some of which may involve an element of subsidy arising from Council's involvement as a public body acting on behalf of its community. The Committee concludes that Council should be given the opportunity, within a reasonable timeframe to establish the financial feasibility of its concept and should develop a strategy for the future of Its land asset at 895 Main Road in the event that Its concept for the site cannot be realised. 895 main road, advisory committee, dallas price homes, eltham, eltham shire office, nillumbik shire council, planning application, administrative appeals tribunal