Historical information

A document outlining the relevant by-laws produced by the City Of Kew to regulate the minimum size of allotments in Barkers Road, Burke Road, Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road and Studley Park Road, as well as in other streets more generally. The by-laws specify the size of allotments in which single unit dwellings, attached houses and maisonettes, and flats could be built. In the ‘main streets’ a minimum land area for single unit dwellings was 8,100 square feet, with an average frontage of 60’ and a depth of 135’. In other streets this was reduced to an overall size of 6,250 square feet, with an average dimensions of 50’ x 125’. In specifying the land area required by flats, different sizes were regulated for the construction of between two and six flats. Six flats at the time when the regulations were passed must have been the upper limit permitted. Understanding the size of land listed in imperial measurements can be a challenge. Within Australia, the so-called quarter acre block was approximately 11,000 square feet. Those specified in the by-laws would appear to be smaller. The document was pasted on the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection.

Significance

This is a rare (undated) document produced by the City of Kew defining how subdivision within the municipality should occur. The document was created to constrain unbridled speculation in subdivisions in the various parts of Kew and East Kew.

Physical description

Undated typed document, issued by the City of Kew (1921-1994) indicating the minimum size of allotment required in Barkers Road, Burke Road, Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road and Studley Park Road. The document is mounted on board and waterstained. It was presumably used by a real estate agent. [Formerly catalogued as MAP.0066].