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Home    About Us    Media & Events    What's New    Proposal to list Braidwood

Proposal to list Braidwood and its setting on the State Heritage Register

Updated 7 October 2005

Introduction

The residents of Braidwood know the town is special but its appeal extends far beyond the town. The interesting mix of shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants occupy many of the town's 19th century buildings.

The heritage significance of the town, which dates from 1839, is one of its great attractions. In New South Wales colonial towns which still retain significant building form and fabric are rare. Many of Braidwood's 19th century buildings are located on a simple grid with reflects Georgian and Victorian town planning and settlement patterns. North of Wilson Street there are many fine pre-1850s buildings, while south of Wilson Street and in Wallace Street there many mid to late Victorian buildings which reflect the town's growth after the discovery of gold in Araluen in 1851.

Unlike other towns, Braidwood is still intact. Braidwood has escaped the intrusion of major roads and rail.

Braidwood's original 1839 town plan is still clearly delineated in the surrounding pastoral landscape
View south from the Braidwood town centre.
Photo: Robyn Conroy, Heritage Office

The rural landscape around the town is integral to its heritage significance.

A number of the town's streetscapes frame views to rural land, whilst approaches to the town from the north, east and south also offer attractive vistas.

Because of its heritage significance, the Heritage Council of New South Wales has proposed that the town and its setting be listed on the State Heritage Register - identifying it as an important part of the State's heritage.

The Heritage Council has invited the community to consider the proposed listing and in April 2005 initiated discussions with the community through four public meetings. Further meetings have been held with business owners in the town and with owners of rural lands affected by the proposed listing. The Heritage Office also had an information stall at Braidwood Market on Saturday 24 September.


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Statement of Significance for Braidwood and its Setting

Braidwood and its setting are of state significance as an excellent surviving example of a Georgian period town, dating from the late 1830s. The plan reflects colonial administration as applied to the outer reaches of the 19 counties from the 1820s, following earliest European settlement in the area. Surviving historic elements in the surrounding landscape strengthen the town's significance.

The town buildings reflect key phases of development, commencing with the initial construction period in the 1840s and consolidation in the later half of the century, following the gold boom. The integrity of Wallace Street as a fine collection of 19th century buildings makes it particularly significant.

The high proportion of 19th century buildings throughout the town contributes further to its heritage value and creates fine streetscapes often with delightful views to the pastoral surrounds. The abrupt transition at the town boundary between built and pastoral landscapes highlights significant historical settlement patterns, specifically the large land grants on the north, east and south sides of the town, obtained by McKellar, Wilson and Coghill, and passed on to the Maddrells and eventually others.

The juxtaposition of a cohesive town set within an historic pastoral landscape on the north, east and south sides is also significant. The closer settlement on the western side reflects the subdivision of the former Church and School Estate.

In New South Wales, colonial towns that retain significant historic form and fabric to the extent that Braidwood does are rare.

Some 20th century elements in the town reflect later phases of development. Construction circa 1936 is significant for its association with the emergence from the Great Depression and amalgamation of the Municipality of Braidwood with the Tallaganda Shire. Development in the1950s, particularly to the west of the town, is significant for its association with post WWII population growth and the mid 1950s wool boom. 20th century development is reflected in most towns in NSW and in the context of Braidwood is considered to be of local significance.

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Assessment of Significance

Below is an assessment of Braidwood against the Heritage Council's criteria for listing on the State Heritage Register.

Criteria A: an item is important in the course, or pattern, of NSW's cultural or natural history.

Braidwood is a coherent and well preserved 19th century township set within a rolling pastoral landscape. The town, which dates from 1839, is historically linked to the first European settlement of the area in the 1820s through the influence of land grants, surveying practice, settlement ideals, convictism, civil and judicial administration and the strength of character of the early settlers. Located in the southern most of the nineteen counties, the town emerged as the centre of the Braidwood Police District by the 1840s.

The Georgian town-plan remains largely intact, as do a significant number of early buildings. The fine collection of pre-1850s buildings north of Wilson Street attest to the town's focus towards the north during its first decade. The mid to late Victorian buildings south of Wilson Street reflect the impact of the gold discoveries from 1851.

The views to and from the surrounding pastoral landscape and road approaches to the north, east and south of the township are integral to the conservation and appreciation of its significance.

The initial land grant to the Church and School Estate, combined with the pastoral holdings of Mackellar, Wilson, Coghill and Maddrell created a distinctive land tenure pattern that remains clearly legible in terms of property subdivision, rural housing density, vegetation patterns, boundary fence divisions and road patterns.

Criteria B: an item has strong or special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in NSW's cultural or natural history.

Braidwood Wilson, after whom the town is named, was one of the first people to be granted land in the area. It was from his selection that the village reserve was resumed and the width of his property defined the town's length. Wilson was also responsible for recommending a reserve be set aside, that eventually became Ryrie Park. A cottage from Wilson's original homestead still remains at Ardstrath.

Regional surveyor James Larmer retired to Braidwood and constructed a hotel at the northern end of Wallace Street that is still standing.

Criteria C: an item is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW.

Within the town are several particularly attractive streetscapes, including the Wallace Street vista up Jew's Hill, the Wallace Street vistas north and south, some of the side streets, in particular those that retain soft edging to their roadside verge, period buildings and attractive landscaping.

A number of streetscapes frame vistas to the pastoral landscape beyond and this combination of historic streetscape in the foreground with pastoral landscape in the distance, particularly where this transition is abrupt, has been recognised in earlier studies as having high aesthetic value.

Aesthetic views of the town include: the approach from Canberra, where the town is framed by a row of Poplars; the view from Thomas Braidwood Wilson's grave; the approach to the town on the Mongarlowe Rd from approximately "Mona Homestead"; the view from the Araluen Rd as it approaches the town, and the view from Mt Gillamatong.

Some individual buildings in the town have aesthetic value, and images from the town that draw on the aesthetic values have appeared in a number of books, and have been used as the backdrop to several films.

Criteria D: an item has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in NSW for social, cultureal or spiritual reasons.

Although not formally surveyed, it is assumed that there are strong social and community values held by various codmmunities. It is reasonable to assume that these could include churches, the RSL/golf club, the cemetery, Mt Gillamatong, Dr Wilson's grave and the historic and aesthetic ambience and character of the town.

Criteria E: an item has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of NSW's cultural or natural history.

Because of Braidwood's integrity, setting and its evolution since European arrival, the area has considerable potential to assist an understanding of NSW's cultural history. The interplay between society, the individual and place since the early colonial period, can be discerned in the Braidwood landscape today. From early 19th century attitudes to health and well being, as exemplified by Dr Thomas Braidwood Wilson (Surgeon Superintendent with the Royal Navy) to the role and deployment of mounted police in the colony, the evolution of town planning or the impact of drought on mid 19th century rural growth (for example), Braidwood and setting provides an excellent field for study.

Dennis Jeans discusses early settlement in his book Historical Geography of NSW and comments: the interaction of expanding enterprise with diverse environments and the problem of distance created a complex regional geography which influenced the form of the advancing frontiers long after 1830. In this period also the essential elements of an officially determined cultural landscape were beginning to form. Braidwood and setting provide an excellent example of Jeans' officially determined cultural landscape and may well prove a valuable benchmark for historical, geographical and other analysis.

Criteria F: an item possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of NSW's cultural or natural history.

Few towns from within the 19 counties retain the density of 19th century features found in Braidwood and its setting. Settlement within the Limits of Location benefited from the attention of the colonial administration through survey, town planning, police administration etc. Through the 19th century much of its immediate rural landscape was effectively "locked up" from subdivision, however its urban form was substantially reinforced by the local gold boom. Its distance from major transport networks and urban centres coupled with droughts and depression resulted in limited growth in the 20th century. As a town that displays a wealth of intact 19th century features, Braidwood stands out in comparison with most other regional centres.

Criteria G: an item is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of NSW's cultural or natural places, or cultural or natural environments.

Braidwood is an excellent example of a 19th century rural town plan. The rectangular Georgian plan of 1839 sits well in its landscape and has not been split by subsequent rail or road realignments, or overlaid by more recent planning models or block amalgamations. It reflects a range of key planning determinants of the day including Governor Darling's approach to order, layout and block and road dimensions. The plan also reflects the importance of the judiciary and police system by inclusion of a substantial area for police horse paddocks, as befitted the centre of a police district. The evidence of the town's perimeter, and the abrupt transition between the town and surrounding pastoral area reinforces its significance.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the State Heritage Register?

The State Heritage Register was set up in 1999 to recognise items of the state's heritage which are important to the people of New South Wales. Items are included which are in both public and private ownership. In order to be added to the Register items have to meet certain criteria. The criteria and the qualities that justify the listing of Braidwood and its setting can be found at the Assessment of Significance of Braidwood and its Setting.

What does listing on the Register mean?

The aim of the State Heritage Register is to acknowledge, celebrate and conserve places, objects and collections that sustain and enhance the quality of life in NSW for future and present generations.

Why has Braidwood been proposed for listing?

The case for listing the town on the State Heritage Register has been growing since the late 1960s. Since then there has been a number of heritage and planning reports which confirm the heritage significance of Braidwood.

In 1976 the National Trust listed the town on its Register. It was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1980.

There are four items in and around the town that are already on the State Heritage Register. They are: Albion Hotel, Bedervale, former Royal Hotel and the Mill Centre.

The local community and the local council have identified and listed 106 properties in and around the town that are listed as heritage items in Palerang Council's local environmental plan.

What is the process for listing Braidwood and its Setting on the Register

Since the Heritage Council of NSW announced it was proposing Braidwood and its setting for listing on the State Heritage Register there have been four public meetings. Community consultation on the proposal has been extended to 7 October 2005 to allow for a rural impact study into the effects of the proposed listing to be done. The community will be able to consider the results of the study before the closing date for submissions on 7 October 2005.

Following the submission closing date, the Heritage Office will prepare a report outlining the views contained in all the submissions received. The Heritage Council will consider this report at its meeting on 2 November 2005 and make a recommendation to the Assistant Minister for Planning, Diane Beamer, who will make the final decision on the listing of the town and its setting.

What is the area that is being proposed for listing?

The listing will include all properties, as well as public items such as streets and trees inside the 1839 town boundary, as well as surrounding landscape areas that are vital to retaining important views to and from the town.

  • Click here to view an aerial image of the proposed listing boundary (shown in white) superimposed on an aerial photo of Braidwood. Please note that this computer-generated boundary may vary from the legal boundary by a few metres.

  • Click here to view a plan of the proposed listing boundary.

Why does the listing include rural areas?

There was limited growth in the town through the 19th century because of its distance from major transport networks and urban centres, and because of the effect of droughts and depression. As a result there was little expansion of the town into the rural landscape on its northern, eastern and southern boundaries. This creates a clear perimeter around the town, which demonstrates its Georgian origins.

The landscape around the town is integral to the town’s heritage significance, both because it reflects the historical development of the area and also because it makes for a particularly fine setting for the town. Certain historic streetscapes in the town frame views of the surrounding rural land. Similarly, views of the town from the north, east and southern approaches to the town are also important to the appreciation of the town’s distinctive and historic character.

What effect will the listing have on the rural areas around Braidwood?

Listing does not prevent landowners from selling, developing or modifying their property, nor does it change the ownership or tenure of the property.

There are 106 properties in Braidwood already listed as heritage items in Palerang Council’s local environmental plan.

There are also four items on the State Heritage Register: Albion Hotel, Bedervale, former Royal Hotel and the Mill Centre. These listings have not interfered with their owners’ use or business operations.

Currently the approval of Palerang Council is required for a range of development and subdivision proposals. If Braidwood is listed on the State Heritage Register Palerang Council’s role will continue, and where proposals involve new dwellings, of a building or subdivision the matter would also be referred to the Heritage Council for approval.

It is likely that there would be very little effect on the daily life of most residents.

Palerang Council is also developing a development control plan (DCP), and when this plan is finalised it will guide decisions about development and planning applications.

What role does the local council have in the consideration of the listing?

Palerang Council has been regularly briefed and consulted about the proposed listing since August last year and will have the opportunity to make a submission about the proposal to list the town and its setting.

What role does the local council have if the town is added to the Register?

Palerang Council is currently developing a development control plan (DCP). As the first step in this process, it resolved at its meeting on 12 July 2005, to release a 'Heritage Discussion Paper' for community discussion. This will then be finalised into a draft development control plan which will also be released for community discussion. Once an appropriate plan is adopted, and if the town is listed, then Palerang Council would refer only those proposals which do not comply with its plan to the Heritage Council of NSW for its consideration.

If the town is listed, and an appropriate development control plan is not in place, then Palerang Council would refer proposals for new developments and subdivisions, and for demolitions, to the Heritage Council of NSW for its consideration.

All other proposals would be considered by Palerang Council.

What happens if the town and its setting is listed and I want to do some renovations to my house?

Development approval is required from Palerang Council as a matter of course if you want to do renovations. Therefore, you would have to lodge a development application with council. Before you do, you may want to discuss your renovation ideas with council's heritage advisor. He can give you guidance on how it might be considered by council and also offer ideas.

If it was a proposal for a second storey:

  • In council's current draft Heritage Discussion Paper (which is a prelude to a draft Development Control Plan (DCP), attics within the existing roofline are allowed;
  • Since Braidwood's traditional residential buildings are mostly single storey, it would be preferable to retain this form;
  • If you submitted a development application for a full second storey, it would be referred by Palerang Council to the Heritage Council;
  • The Heritage Council would consider how your proposed second storey would affect the heritage significance of the town. Other issues are also taken into account, such as privacy and overshadowing;
If it was a proposal for an extension at the back;
  • Talk to Palerang Council's heritage advisor before you put your development application into council;
  • At the moment Palerang Council has not adopted a development control plan. However, council's Heritage Discussion Paper provides guidance on the sorts of extensions that would be allowed;
  • If your proposed extension is consistent with Palerang Council's approach, then council will make the decision, as usual. If it doesn't comply, it would be referred to the Heritage Council;
  • There are recent examples of extensions in the town which show how it is possible to get a good result for the householder and for the town.

What if I want to do some alterations inside, for example, add a bathroom?

First of all, check with Palerang Council to see if a development application is required for the work you want to do. If council does not require an application, then Heritage Council approval would not be required.

If you would like to make your new bathroom complement your home's heritage architecture then you could get advice from council's Heritage Advisor.

What if I have a business and I want to alter the signage out the front?

Signage is going to be covered in the council's development control plan. If your proposal does not need a development application then it won't need to go to the Heritage Council.

Why should we list the whole town when some of the buildings are so awful?

To put it plainly: because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, irrespective of the merits of those parts.

The proposed listing of Braidwood and its setting recognises the significance of the township and its surroundings as an integral precinct, or 'item' of cultural significance.

While individual structures may contribute to a greater or lesser extent to the significance of the whole town, it is the town and its setting that exemplifies the evolution of a working country town founded on early colonial planning principles. It demonstrates the various stages of that evolution both in its built forms and fabric and in its enduring relationship to the land.

The proposed listing does not seek to 'freeze' this evidence in time, but rather to ensure that the continuing life and growth of Braidwood respects, reflects and preserves these rare patterns and rhythms for the instruction and delight of future generations.

If you have a question that does not appear here then please email it to bill.nethery@planning.nsw.gov.au

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Making a submission

The Heritage Council is interested in seeking the views of as many people as possible about the proposed listing of Braidwood on the State Heritage Register. If you would like to make a written submission by 7 October 2005 please:

The period for community consultation has been extended to 21 October 2005 and submissions can be received up to this date.

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Lodging a query

If you have a query about the listing of Braidwood on the State Heritage Register or you wish to make a comment then you can:

Please include the following information in your email:

  • The nature of your query:
  • Comments:
  • Name:
  • Email address:
The following information is optional:
  • Telephone number:
  • I have a business in Braidwood: yes/no
  • I am a resident of Braidwood: yes/no
  • I am a rural landowner: yes/no

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Further information

Braidwood Matters

PDFBraidwood Matters 5: Newsletter
October 2005

PDFBraidwood Matters 4: Newsletter
September 2005

PDFBraidwood Matters 3: Newsletter
September 2005

PDFBraidwood Matters 2: Newsletter
August 2005

PDFBraidwood Matters 1: Newsletter
July 2005

Media Releases

PDFMedia release: Consultation period extended
15 September 2005
Click here to view information on Braidwood and its setting in the online database.

PDFMedia release: Heritage Office to Talk to Braidwood Developers
20 June 2005
Click here to view information on Braidwood and its setting in the online database.

PDFMedia release: Braidwood Considered for Heritage Listing
4 March 2005
Click here to view information on Braidwood and its setting in the online database.

PDFBrochure: Benefits of Heritage Listing

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References

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Rural Communities Impact Statement

The Office of Rural Affairs has been commissioned by Palerang Council and the Heritage Office to produce a statement on the likely impact of the proposed State Heritage listing on Braidwood.

A draft report was provided to Palerang Council and the Heritage Office on Friday, 16 September 2005. The final report was delivered to both organisations on 30 September.

PDFClick here for the final report. [838kb]
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Heritage Office Response to Braidwood Businesses

On 17 August and 6 September the Heritage Office visited Braidwood to talk to members of the business community about what listing would mean for Braidwood. The links below take you to the responses to the issues raised at these meetings. The responses are also covered in PDFBraidwood Matters 3: Newsletter.

PDFMessage from the Heritage Office Director
PDFIssues and Responses

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