EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RECOMMENDATION TO THE
HERITAGE COUNCIL TO
AMEND AN EXISTING REGISTRATION
NAME
DATE REGISTERED:
VHR NUMBER:
HERITAGE OVERLAY NO:
LOCATION
CATEGORY
FILE NUMBER:
HERMES NUMBER:
POWDER MAGAZINE
9 OCTOBER 1974
VHR H357
HO71
GORGE ROAD, BEECHWORTH
Heritage Place
11/000457
113
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL:
To amend the existing registration for VHR H357 in accordance with s.54 of the Heritage Act 1995 by:
 Clarifying the extent of registration
 Adding a permit policy and permit exemptions in accordance with s.42(4) of the Act.
Reasons for the proposed amendment:
The registration of the Powder Magazine, which was gazetted in 1974, requires updating. No land was
able to be registered under the Historic Buildings Act until 1982. For places added before that time, only
the buildings are included in the registration, not the land on which they sit or an appropriate curtilage.
Places registered since 1982 include both buildings and land. Early registrations are currently being
updated to reflect this change.
The existing registration documentation is provided at Attachment 1 of this report.
TIM SMITH
Executive Director
Recommendation Date:
13 March 2015
PROPOSED EXTENT OF REGISTRATION
All of the place shown hatched on Diagram 357 encompassing all of Allotment 10 Section 33 Parish of
Beechworth.
The extent of registration of the Powder Magazine, Beechworth on the Victorian Heritage Register affects
the whole place shown on Diagram 357 including the land, all buildings (including the interiors and
exteriors), roads, trees, landscape elements and other features.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
PROPOSED STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
What is significant?
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth, including the stone magazine built in 1859 and the surrounding walls
built in 1860.
History Summary
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth was constructed in 1859 by the Melbourne builders, T Dawson and
Company to designs by the Public Works Department. The boundary walls were completed the following
year by another Melbourne firm, Atchison & Lumsden. This was one of several government magazines built
on the Victorian goldfields at the end of the 1850s for the safe storage of gunpowder. The need for the
magazines resulted from the exhaustion of surface gold deposits in Victoria and the subsequent change to
the mining of deep alluvial and quartz deposits, which required the use of large amounts of gunpowder for
blasting. Storage facilities were needed close to the mines but at a safe distance from habitation. In 1857
the Victorian government legislated to control the storage of gunpowder, and provide for the establishment
of public powder magazines to be financed by Treasury and administered locally. The Beechworth Powder
Magazine was opened for use by the local gold miners in 1860. It was obsolete by the early 1900s, as local
gold mining decreased and nitro-glycerine compounds such as gelignite came into use. It was closed in 1918
and its condition deteriorated during the following decades. It was restored in 1963-66 by the National Trust
of Australia (Victoria), and in 1966 became the first of their properties to be opened to the public outside the
Melbourne metropolitan area.
Description Summary
The Powder Magazine stands in a bush setting to the west of the town of Beechworth, and is separated from
it by a deep gorge. It is a small rectangular-plan building with massive stone walls of local granite and a slate
roof, and has a small entrance porch at one end. It has parapeted gable ends, and along the side walls are
small buttresses and slit openings for ventilation. The building has an elaborate system of lightning
conductors running along the roof ridge and down the end walls. The arched inner roof and double arched
foundations were designed such that if an explosion did occur, the force of the blast would be directed
upwards. The magazine building is enclosed by a granite wall with massive entry pillars and a timber gate.
How is it significant?
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria. It
satisfies the following criteria for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:
Criterion A
Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.
Criterion D
Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.
Why is it significant?
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is significant at the State level for the following reasons:
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is historically significant for its association with the history of gold
mining in Victoria. It is associated with the change from alluvial to deep mining of gold in the late 1850s, as
the easily extracted surface gold deposits were depleted. Deep mining required large amounts of
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
gunpowder for blasting away the rock overlying the gold deposits, and the magazines were constructed by
the Victorian Government to safely store the gunpowder required for this. [Criterion A]
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is architecturally significant as an outstanding and intact example of
the powder magazines constructed by the Victorian Government in the late 1850s in the gold mining regions
of Victoria. It demonstrates the characteristic features of these structures, being designed for the storage of
black powder. These had massive walls and light-weight roofs, so that if an accidental explosion occurred,
the force of the blast would be directed upwards, thus minimising the risk of damage in the surrounding
area. [Criterion D]
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is also significant for the following reasons, but not at the State level:
The Powder Magazine at Beechworth is significant for its close association with the gold-mining history of
Beechworth. Together with other government buildings constructed in the town from 1857-60, the powder
magazine and its surrounding walls are built of local granite, and are a distinctive element of this historic
town.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
PROPOSED PERMIT POLICY
DRAFT ONLY – NOT YET APPROVED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL
Preamble
The purpose of the Permit Policy is to assist when considering or making decisions regarding works to a
registered place. It is recommended that any proposed works be discussed with an officer of Heritage
Victoria prior to making a permit application. Discussing proposed works will assist in answering questions
the owner may have and aid any decisions regarding works to the place.
The extent of registration of the Powder Magazine at Beechworth on the Victorian Heritage Register
affects the whole place shown on Diagram 357 including the land, all buildings, roads, trees, landscape
elements and other features. Under the Heritage Act 1995 a person must not remove or demolish, damage
or despoil, develop or alter or excavate, relocate or disturb the position of any part of a registered place or
object without approval. It is acknowledged, however, that alterations and other works may be required to
keep places and objects in good repair and adapt them for use into the future.
If a person wishes to undertake works or activities in relation to a registered place or registered object, they
must apply to the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria for a permit. The purpose of a permit is to enable
appropriate change to a place and to effectively manage adverse impacts on the cultural heritage
significance of a place as a consequence of change. If an owner is uncertain whether a heritage permit is
required, it is recommended that Heritage Victoria be contacted.
Permits are required for anything which alters the place or object, unless a permit exemption is granted.
Permit exemptions usually cover routine maintenance and upkeep issues faced by owners as well as minor
works. They may include appropriate works that are specified in a conservation management plan. Permit
exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42 of the Heritage Act) or after registration
(under s.66 of the Heritage Act).
It should be noted that the addition of new buildings to the registered place, as well as alterations to the
interior and exterior of existing buildings requires a permit, unless a specific permit exemption is granted.
Cultural heritage management plans
It is recommended that a Conservation Management Plan is developed to manage the place in a manner
which respects its cultural heritage significance.
Cultural heritage significance
Overview of significance
The cultural heritage significance of the Powder Magazine at Beechworth lies in it being an outstanding and
intact example of the powder magazines constructed by the Victorian Government in the late 1850s in the
gold mining regions of Victoria. It demonstrates the characteristic features of these structures designed for
the storage of black powder. These had massive walls and light-weight roofs, so that if an accidental
explosion occurred, the force of the blast would be directed upwards, thus minimising the risk of damage in
the surrounding area.
a)
All of the buildings and features listed here are of primary cultural heritage significance in the
context of the place. A permit is required for most works or alterations. See Permit Exemptions
section for specific permit exempt activities:
•
The Powder Magazine
•
The walls surrounding the Magazine
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
b)
The bush surrounding the magazine walls, the road and the carpark are of no cultural heritage
significance. Specific permit exemptions are provided for these.
c)
Archaeological: Ground disturbance may affect the archaeological significance of the place and,
subject to the exemptions stated in this document, requires a permit.
PROPOSED PERMIT EXEMPTIONS (UNDER SECTION 42 OF THE
HERITAGE ACT)
DRAFT ONLY – NOT YET APPROVED BY THE HERITAGE COUNCIL – RECOMMENDED UNDER SECTION 33 OF
THE HERITAGE ACT
It should be noted that Permit Exemptions can be granted at the time of registration (under s.42(4) of the
Heritage Act). Permit Exemptions can also be applied for and granted after registration (under s.66 of the
Heritage Act)
General Condition 1
All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric
of the registered place or object.
General Condition 2
Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously
hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place
or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon
as possible.
General Condition 3
All works should be informed by Conservation Management Plans prepared for the place. The Executive
Director is not bound by any Conservation Management Plan, and permits still must be obtained for works
suggested in any Conservation Management Plan.
General Condition 4
Nothing in this determination prevents the Heritage Council from amending or rescinding all or any of the
permit exemptions.
General Condition 5
Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant
planning or building permits from the relevant responsible authority, where applicable.
SPECIFIC PERMIT EXEMPTIONS
Magazine and walls:
•
Minor repairs and maintenance which replace like with like.
•
Installation or repair of damp-proofing by either injection method or grouted pocket method in a
manner which does not affect the cultural heritage significance of the place.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
•
Repair or removal of modern display cases.
Hard landscape elements:
•
Repair and maintenance of roads and pathways which replace like with like.
•
Removal of roads and pathways that are not part of the original design.
Bushland:

All maintenance of bushland.

Fire management works carried out to protect the magazine and walls.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
RELEVANT INFORMATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY
Indigo
HERITAGE LISTING INFORMATION

Heritage Overlay:
HO71

Other listing:
Classified by the National Trust at a State level (B1590)
HISTORY
Contextual history
Beechworth owes its existence to the discovery of gold in 1852. The Beechworth area was first settled by
squatters from 1837, but the discovery of gold resulted in a rush of miners to the area, with about 8,000
arriving by November that year. The Ovens was an important river system in north-east Victoria and gave its
name to the goldfields in this area. The town developed around the Gold Commissioner’s Camp, established
in 1852 on the granite hill on the north bank of Spring Creek. The township was first known as Mayday Hills,
but when surveyed in 1853, it was named Beechworth. The main overland route between Melbourne and
Sydney passed through the town until the 1870s (when the railway was built further to the west), and until
then Beechworth was one of the richest towns in Victoria and the financial and administrative centre of the
north-east.
Until the mid-1850s most buildings in the town were constructed of wood, bark or canvas, but following the
election of a town council in 1856 stricter building regulations were introduced. Many of the town’s major
buildings were erected during the following five years, including the Ovens District Hospital (1856, VHR
H358) and the Burke Museum (VHR H345, begun in 1857 by the Young Men’s Association as a hall and
library). The first town hall was built in 1859. By the early 1860s a group of important administrative
buildings, known as the Beechworth Justice Precinct (VHR H1464), had been completed along the south side
of Ford Street, and a large gaol (VHR H1549) was begun to the north of this in 1858. The Beechworth Lunatic
Asylum, later the Mayday Hills Hospital (VHR H1864-67) was built in 1864-67, and the landmark post office
(VHR H867) was completed in 1870.
The Ovens gold rushes peaked in 1857, and during the following two decades the population of Beechworth
decreased (though the last mining company in the district only closed in 1956). Despite the decline in the
gold industry, the town was sustained well into the twentieth century by the presence of the government
institutions founded in the 1850s and 1860s: the asylum and the gaol.
Tourism has now become a major industry in Beechworth. Tourism began in the 1880s with the town’s
reputation as a health resort and picturesque beauty spot. The declining prosperity of the town had the
advantage that the post-World War II development, that led to the destruction of so much of Victoria’s
nineteenth century fabric between the 1950s and 1970s, was avoided. At this time there was an increasing
awareness of the importance of Victoria’s early history and heritage. In the 1960s the National Trust was
active in classifying Beechworth’s early buildings, and efforts began to restore buildings which had fallen into
disrepair. The retention of much of the town’s historic character has now made it a popular tourist
destination.
8
Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
History of place
Beechworth’s Powder Magazine was one of several government magazines built on the Victorian goldfields
towards the end of the 1850s to store and provide weather protection for gunpowder. Surface alluvial
mining was at this time changing to deeper alluvial and quartz mining, and large amounts of gunpowder
were needed for blasting away the rock to reach the gold. This in turn created a demand for storage
facilities for the gunpowder, close to the mines but at a safe distance from settlements. The Victorian
Government in 1857 legislated to regulate the storage of gunpowder, which provided for the establishment
of public powder magazines to be financed by the Treasury and administered locally. Miners were required
by law to store bulk gunpowder here until needed.
In February 1858 the Beechworth Council requested that the government build a powder magazine at
Beechworth. The site chosen was on the outskirts of the town above the gorge. The magazine was built to
plans by the Victorian Department of Public Works, originally designed for Portland (but never built). It was
to be built of local granite in the style of early colonial military buildings, with restrained classical influences.
In 1859 the Melbourne builders T Dawson & Co constructed the magazine at a cost of £697.7.0. In the
following year another Melbourne firm, Atchison & Lumsden, built the boundary wall at a cost of £807.13.0.
The magazine was opened for use by the miners on 1 September 1860, when the first keeper took up his
duties.
Strict precautions were taken to minimise the risk of explosions. The surrounding area was cleared in case of
bush fires. The magazine had an elaborate system of lightning conductors, all metal fittings were made of
copper to eliminate the possibility of sparks, and people entering the magazine wore special clothing and
footwear. No vehicles or animals were allowed within the boundary walls of the magazine. The magazine
was designed with an arched inner roof and double-arched foundations so that if an explosion were to
occur, the force of the blast would go upwards rather than outwards, thus minimising damage to the
surroundings.
By the late nineteenth century, gold mining in Beechworth had petered out and nitro-glycerine compounds,
such as gelignite had come into use. The building became largely obsolete, as the small amount of
gunpowder required was more conveniently stored in smaller private magazines. The same was true for
other magazines in Victoria, but their closure was delayed because of their potential military value. The
Beechworth magazine, and four other government magazines, finally closed on 31 March 1918.
The magazine was neglected and its condition deteriorated. In the 1930s Depression it became a favourite
stopping place for the unemployed, and was known as ‘the Menzies [a landmark Melbourne hotel,
demolished in 1969] of the north-east’. To prevent people sleeping in the building the Shire Council
collapsed the roof, which led to the rapid decline of the structure. By the 1960s there were plans to
demolish it. However moves had begun by local residents, led by Jack Skidmore, for its preservation, and in
1963 Frank Strahan (the University of Melbourne archivist and a member of the National Trust’s
classification committee), Dr Alan Beever (a lecturer in economic history), and other interested Melbourne
people, formed working parties at the magazine. In 1965 the restoration was taken over officially by the
National Trust, which had become closely involved with the conservation of the town of Beechworth. The
Powder Magazine became the first National Trust property to be opened to the public outside Melbourne in
April 1966.
VICTORIAN HISTORICAL THEMES
04
Transforming and managing land and natural resources
4.5
Gold mining
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The Powder Magazine stands in a bush setting to the west of Beechworth, and is separated from it by a deep
gorge. It is a small rectangular building built of local granite with a slate roof. It has parapeted gable ends,
buttressing and slit openings for ventilation. At one end is a porch, with similar gabled parapet. The arched
inner roof and double arched foundations were designed to direct a blast upwards if an explosion did occur.
As precautionary measures against explosions, the building was fitted with an elaborate lightning conductor
and all metal fixtures were of copper. The magazine building is surrounded by a coped granite wall with
massive entry pillars and a timber gate.
OBJECTS AND INTERIORS
The former magazine contains a display of objects associated with the operation of a powder magazine (not
all of which are associated directly with the Beechworth magazine), including powder barrels, tools and
documents. There is also a safety fuze spinning machine in use about 1885 at the ICIANZ factory in
Melbourne, and donated by the company in 1970.
LANDSCAPES, TREES & GARDENS
The Magazine is surrounded by bushland and there is a dirt track leading from the Gorge Road to the carpark
above the Magazine.
INTEGRITY/INTACTNESS
The Powder Magazine is intact externally and internally. A timber-framed glass viewing vestibule has been
constructed within the interior, to allow for the display of various items associated with the magazine.
(January 2015).
CONDITION
The place is in good condition. (January 2015)
PROPOSED TEXT FOR THE BLUE HERITAGE PLAQUE
This is an outstanding example of the powder magazines built on the goldfields by the Victorian Government
in the late 1850s for the safe storage of gunpowder. It opened in 1860, closed in 1918, and was restored by
the National Trust in 1963-66.
KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT
National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Beechworth and the Powder Magazine, 1970.
Carole Woods, Beechworth. A Titan’s Field, North Melbourne 1985.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
ADDITIONAL IMAGES / MAPS
Aerial view of site, showing the magazine and its walls in its bushland setting
Approach to magazine with walls and gateway
Magazine and entry porch. Note lightning conductors
along roof ridges and down end wall.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
Lightning conductors run along the roof ridge and The safety fuze spinning machine on display in the
down the end walls.
interior.
View of interior from entrance, showing arched internal brick vault
And the modern timber framework constructed inside as part of the museum display.
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Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
ATTACHMENT 1
EXISTING REGISTRATION DETAILS
TO BE SUPERSEDED BY THE FOREGOING RECOMMENDATION
EXISTING EXTENT OF REGISTRATION
United Shire of Beechworth. No.357. Powder Magazine, Skidmore Road, George Reserve, Beechworth.
[Victoria Government Gazette No 100 Wednesday, October 9 1974 p.3650]
There is currently no plan showing the extent of registration.
EXISTING STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
What is significant?
The Powder Magazine was constructed in Beechworth in 1859 by Melbourne builders, T. Dawson and
Company to designs by the Public Works Department, and the boundary wall was completed the next year
by another Melbourne firm, Atchison and Lumsden. By September 1860 the first keeper took up his duties
and the Powder Magazine was opened for use by the local miners.
This Powder Magazine was one of several government magazines built on the Victorian goldfields towards
the end of the 1850s to store, and provide weather protection for, gunpowder. Their need resulted from the
exhaustion of surface gold diggings and the subsequent change to the mining of deep alluvial and quartz
deposits. This required the use of large amounts of gunpowder for blasting and the affiliated need for
storage close to the mines. In 1857 the Victorian government introduced an act to control the storage of
gunpowder, and provide for the establishment of public powder magazines to be financed by Treasury and
administered locally. In excess of one hundred pounds of gunpowder required such storage, for which a
small amount of rent was charged.
The site chosen was on the outskirts of the town above the gorge, and the surrounding area was cleared of
vegetation in case of bush fire. The design adopted is a simple rectangular building with parapeted gable
ends, buttressing, slit openings for ventilation and a porch, with similar gabled parapet, at one end. The
magazine is built of local granite blocks with a slate roof and the arched inner roof and double arched
foundations were designed to direct a blast upwards if an explosion did occur. As precautions against
explosion risks, the building was fitted with an elaborate lightning conductor and all metal fixtures were of
copper. The magazine building itself is surrounded by a coped wall with entry pillars, also constructed in
granite.
The building was largely obsolete by the early 1900s and was finally closed in 1918. Its condition
deteriorated, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) adopted it as a restoration project in 1965. It
subsequently became the first National Trust property to be opened to the public outside the Melbourne
metropolitan area.
13
Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
How is it significant?
The Powder Magazine, Beechworth is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Powder Magazine, Beechworth is of architectural significance as an important example of this relatively
rare building type, which has been restored accurately by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). Its design
is one of the finest in Victoria and, in its restored state, it is highly illustrative of its close association with the
important goldmining era in Beechworth. Together with other government buildings constructed in the town
itself from 1857-60, the powder magazine and its surrounding walls are built of local granite and are a
distinctive element of this historic town.
The Powder Magazine, Beechworth is of historical significance as a building type intrinsically related to the
gold mining history of the town. It is illustrative of the period of gold mining which followed the initial
alluvial gold rush around Beechworth, and is representative of early examples of government powder
magazines which were constructed on Victorian goldfields from the late 1850s.
EXISTING PERMIT POLICY
There is no existing Permit Policy.
EXISTING PERMIT EXEMPTIONS
General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which
prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object.
General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that
original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the
significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria
shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant
sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the
Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface
component.
General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:
A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan provides guidance for the management of the
heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain
works specified in the management plan.
General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or
rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions.
General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility
to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable.
Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect
the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A
14
Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113
person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the
Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the
site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is
uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be
contacted.
15
Name: Powder Magazine, Beechworth
VHR number: VHR H357
Hermes number: 113