Glebe Road Federation cottages recommended to be named heritage

Some of Newcastle's finest examples of Federation architecture are a step closer to being preserved for future generations after being recommended for heritage conservation by City of Newcastle.

Council has endorsed a proposed heritage conservation area for a group of Federation cottages in The Junction, including Nos 53-75 Glebe Road and 4 Watkins Street, The Junction.

The gateway determination has been approved by the Minister of Planning and the proposal is on public exhibition from today to Tuesday 12 June 2018.

To view the draft document and make a submission, go to newcastle.nsw.gov.au/YourSay. Hard copies may be viewed at the City Administration Centre and at Newcastle Region Library.

The area has heritage significance as a group of intact Federation houses and as the first residential subdivision in The Junction established by the Australian Agricultural (AA) Company. The cottages are all-single storey dwellings and are consistent examples of the era of their construction, between 1909 and 1915, demonstrating the aesthetic form, scale and detail of the period.

One of the dwellings, No 55 Glebe Road, also has important historical associations with RJ Kilgour, a past mayor of Merewether, whose son was the first to enlist locally in 1915 for the First World War.

"Newcastle has a rich portfolio of heritage conservation areas that are recognised for their character and heritage significance," said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes. "We want to retain that character to preserve our Novocastrian cultural identity and our sense of pride in our heritage places.

"Creating a heritage conservation area will allow us to conserve and protect these fine examples of the early Federation cottage form of detached houses. We will be able to ensure the heritage significance and the existing and future character of the area."

Visit Council's website to review the proposal and have your say.

Federation architecture was the prevailing architectural style in Australia from around 1890 to 1915. The name refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia.

Federation style architecture has its origins in the Queen Anne style and Edwardian style of the United Kingdom, combined with various other influences such as the Arts and Crafts style. Federation homes often have dominant gabled roofs, bay windows, leadlight or coloured glass windows and large decorative ceilings.

The Glebe Road Federation Cottages are 'bookended' by a two storey development. Currently the area is zoned for medium density residential development. Council proposes amendments to the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 to remove controls for the site relating to floor space ratio and building height to better preserve its historic character.

Currently Newcastle has six designated heritage conservation areas:

• Cooks Hill
• The Hill
• Newcastle East
• Hamilton South (Garden Suburb)
• Hamilton Beaumont Street
• Newcastle City Centre