OUR HERITAGE AT RISK -  QUEENSLAND - 2009

• Middenbury, former ABC Studios, Toowong
• Victoria Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
• Remnant Chimneys of North Queensland

MOST AT RISK PLACES:

Place: Middenbury, former ABC Studios, Toowong
Threat: Destruction

Description of Risk:
Constructed for Eliza Mary Rogers c1865, Middenbury is a single-storey brick residence overlooking the Brisbane River at Toowong.

After her death, Middenbury was leased by prominent Brisbane identities, and was in the O’Shea family for nearly six decades from 1891. It was purchased by the Commonwealth in 1957, and until 2007, was a part of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Toowong studio complex. Expressions of interest for the 15,000 square metre ‘absolute river frontage” for the former ABC studios including Middenbury, with subsequent tenders for development, closed 9 July. The future of Middenbury is uncertain.

Middenbury was included in the Commonwealth Heritage List (CHL), but is now ineligible. The provisions for disposal set out in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Heritage Strategy 2007-2011 states that should ‘Commonwealth Heritage values’ be identified for Middenbury, covenants could be applied. But, should no ‘Commonwealth Heritage values’ be identified, will the ABC then take into consideration its State Heritage values? Prior to being removed for legislative reasons in 2004, Middenbury already was entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.

Desired Outcome / Vision:
A formal procedure should be established so that all Commonwealth-owned heritage places in Queensland subject to disposal or divestment are nominated automatically to the Queensland Heritage Register for consideration by the Queensland Heritage Council.

Place: Victoria Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
Threat: Destruction

Description of Risk:
Victoria Barracks occupy a 2.703 hectare site on the CBD fringe. Adjacent is the Petrie Terrace Barracks, a newly opened redevelopment of the former Queensland police depot and barracks. The Victoria Barracks is a cohesive group of mid-19th to mid-20th century military buildings which form an identifiable precinct closely associated with the history of the military in Queensland.

The individual buildings, including the Commandant’s House (c1867), the former Lunatic Reception House (converted 1870), the Police Stables (1875), the Ammunitions Storehouse (1899) and the four storey office building (1917), are each important in illustrating the principal characteristics of their type. The Victoria Barracks is valued for its landmark quality and for the contribution it makes to the Petrie Terrace streetscape, including its many mature plantings. It is included in the Defence Heritage Register and was nominated to the Commonwealth Heritage List circa 2005.

Consideration of the nomination has been extended four times, the last extension to 31 December 2009. It has yet to be decided whether the it will be included in the Commonwealth Heritage List. If it is not, without a formal procedure whereby Commonwealth-owned heritage places in Queensland subject to disposal or divestment are nominated automatically to the Queensland Heritage Register for consideration by the Queensland Heritage Council, the future of this site is uncertain.

Desired Outcome / Vision:
A formal procedure should be established so that all Commonwealth-owned heritage places in Queensland subject to disposal or divestment are nominated automatically to the Queensland Heritage Register for consideration by the Queensland Heritage Council.

Place: Remnant Chimneys of North Queensland
Threat: Deterioration

Description of Risk:
These chimneys are important elements in the history of the development of Queensland: in the mining industry at Chillagoe and in the beef industry at Ross River. Individually they have strong visual and social associations with their communities. The smelters at Chillagoe in particular have associations with a number of mining individuals, associations and some political leaders. The Chillagoe Smelter chimneys are entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.

The site is located within a National Park. For safety reasons, access is restricted. The chimney of the Ross River Meatworks (former) is located in an area where a 204 apartment-style resort, to be called Springbank Urban Village, is planned. The future of each of the chimneys should be assured through means suitable to each site. So that they are understood by subsequent generations, interpretation of a suitable form needs to be located near each site.