Perth Observatory

Author

Shire of Kalamunda

Place Number

10551

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Location

317 & 337 Walnut Rd Bickley

Location Details

Other Name(s)

WA State Govt Observatory

Local Government

Kalamunda

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1960, Constructed from 1966

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
State Register	Registered	19 Jul 2005	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	01 Aug 2013	Category 1	Category 1 The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing so. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).

Physical Description

Late 20th century international style building, constructed in the late 1960s. Brick construction with metal framed windows and metal screen structure to the roof shielding the plant and machinery. Concrete steps to the front entrance, with the entrance being shielded by a flat roofed cantilevered canopy. The observatory is set within landscaped grounds with the observation domes being set in dense planting to the east of the main building.

History

Science and technology

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity - High; Level of Authenticity - High

Condition

Good This complex of buildings and structures were constructed on the site from 1964 onwards. They continued and expanded the operation of the West Perth Observatory which had been operating at that site since 1897. The relocation of the observatory to one of the higher parts of the Darling Ranges enabled a larger site for expansion and diminished 'light pollution' from the Perth metropolitan area. The complex of buildings were designed by the Public Works Department of WA and construction began in 1964. The new Perth Observatory, built at a cost of $600,000 was opened by the Premier, David Brand, on Friday 30 September 1966, 70 years and one day after the original Observatory was opened by Sir John Forrest. Since 1964, the facilities have been added to and modified as technical requirements have changed and in order to provide greater access to the public.

Associations

Name	Type	Year From	Year To
Public Works Department	Architect	1960	1966

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	Utting M; "A History og the Perth Observatory".
	ALK

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
6438	Astronomy in Western Australia.	Book	1992

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	GOVERNMENTAL	Other
Present Use	GOVERNMENTAL	Other

Architectural Styles

Style
Late 20th-Century International

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Other Brick

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Institutions
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Education & science

Creation Date

02 Feb 1998

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

04 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.