South Yarra Heritage Review
Heritage Review
Thematic Environmental History
Expert Witness
Melbourne City Council
South Yarra, VIC
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country
Following the Crown land sales of the 1840s, South Yarra attracted merchants, professionals, and wealthy speculators due to its elevated land and proximity to the Melbourne city centre.
GML Heritage was engaged by The City of Melbourne Council to undertake the South Yarra Heritage Review, the first comprehensive review of the heritage places and precincts in South Yarra since 1985.
The review revealed a unique layered historical and physical development. This historical layering has resulted in varied subdivision patterns and a diverse array of architectural styles within the area, contributing to the area’s eclectic character that unifies the precinct. The review determined that creation of five areas in the Heritage Overlay (HO6) would enable a more nuanced description and assessment of the wider South Yarra Precinct.
The review identified two new precincts and 20 new places of local significance.
The South Yarra Thematic Environmental History was prepared to support the review, exploring the historical development and dramatic postwar changes in architecture and the built environment, brought by the lifestyle and social changes.
The South Yarra Heritage Review resulted in successful heritage recognition of many interwar and postwar places that were previously ungraded. Its recommendations recognised South Yarra as notable for its mix of refined Modernist houses, walk-up flats and high-rise towers.
In late 2023, the Amendment C426melb Planning Panel concluded that the review was strategically justified and recommended the adoption of the review. In June 2024, the City of Melbourne voted to adopt the South Yarra Heritage Review and implement its recommendations, subject to minor changes.
69-77 Park Street and Fairlie Flats in South Yarra. Photos: GML Heritage
