Chittering Road Board Office (fmr)

Statement of Significance

It is of cultural heritage significance to the community of Chittering for the following reasons:
* it represents the early growth and prosperity of Chittering and surrounding districts in the 1920's
* it has associations with Chittering Road Board between 1928 and 1961, and Chittering Shire between 1961 and 1964, during which time it functioned as the civic administration centre of the municipality
* the associations with Henry Morley, member of the Martin family and other civic identities between 1928 and 1964
* it represents a way of life for those either employed by, or representing the Road Board in the Chittering Municipality
* it is a fine and uncommon example of a rural civic building showing influences of the Inter War Free Classical c. 1915 - c.1940 style of architecture constructed in stone in the late 1920s.
it is the only remaining place associated with the civic activities of the Chittering Road Board.
* it is valued by the Chittering community for it's recognisable identity in the innovative use of local stone in the civic expression
* it is a significant element in the streetscape of Great Northern Highway in Chittering

The

Physical Description

Chittering Road Board Offfice (Fmr) is a one story stone and corrugated iron building showing characteristics of Inter War Free Classical c.1915 - c. 1940 architectural style.
Chittering Road Board Office (fmr) is located on Great Northern Highway, a few hundred metres south of Tee Tree Road in Chittering, opposite Chittering Lake. The former works foreman dwelling (c. 1957, c. 1976) is located in close proximity on the south side in the vicinity of the site of the Chittering Hall. At the rear of the building (west) there is the former works depot (c. 1951) and a donga which has been located on the site in recent years. A large open plan area to the north west of the building is the site of the former Chittering sports ground. There are no plantings of any significance on the site.
Chittering Road Board Office (fmr) displays characteristics of the Inter Was Free Classical .c 1915 – c. 1940 architectural style described in ‘Identifying Australian Architecture’. Typical of the widely distributes style, the building has a symmetrical façade, a vestigial pediment, pilasters and classical elements introduced into an otherwise very simple exterior.
Chittering Road Board Office (fmr) is a one storey hipped roof building with a symmetrical parapeted front with a central classical entry with pilasters and a pediment. The building is domestic in scale and style on the remaining three facades and the interior. The interior comprises a central corridor that opens onto one room each side exits onto a rear return verandah.
It is constructed in randomly laid local laterite stone and detailed in rendered cement. The front wall is detailed in rendered stucco. The external corners of the front façade are rendered with horizontal incised bands on the quoined pilaster corners. The windows and entry recess have rendered quoined reveals. The capital across the width of the building, from window head height is rendered and has relief writing. The parapet has a stepped centre above the entry pediment which has a decorative floral relief design.
The original 35 degree roof is a hipped roof which extends over the rear verandah to form a skillion, and has a box gutter along the front parapet. The roof is clad with the original short sheets of corrugated iron, with some evidence of rusting. Two corbelled face brick chimneys remain intact on the roof. The rear return verandah has an unlined roof , timber floor and square 100 x 100 milled jarrah posts.
The interior has the original timber floors, hard plaster walls and ceilings in the original plasterboard with exposed flat battens. The two sets of windows on the front façade are the only windows in the building. Each set of windows has four casement windows with a fixed light above. The doors are original fabric with hardware still I place. Both fanlights above the external doors have amber patterned glass original panels. The timber doors are all four panelled and the front door has a letter slot. The two original fireplaces have been retained with the mantelpieces, the south room also has the original fire grate. The electricity has been disconnected.

History

Assessment: 2000
Construction: 1929
In 1871, the Chittering Valley district came under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Swan Road Board. In 1893, the Chittering District was included in the newly formed Gingin Road Board, until 1896 when the Chittering Brook Road Board was formed. The first meetings were held in Mooliabeenie.
By 1903, Chittering Agricultural Hall and adjacent sports ground provided a centre for the district, and was considered an appropriate site to construct the road board offices in 1929.
The Chittering Road Board Office was completed by June 1930. In 1938, the adjacent Chittering Hall was demolished and a new hall was constructed in Bindoon. In 1951 it was suggested that the Road Board office should be at the Bindoon Hall and residences built in Bindoon for employees. During 1957, a dwelling was built for the works foreman, in close proximity to the road board office in Chittering.

After the Shire of Chittering came into being in 1961, the shire continued to occupy the Chittering Road Board Office, but a new building was planned for Bindoon where a townsite had since developed. In 1963, by the time the new Shire offices in Bindoon opened, the former Road Board building was in bad state of repair and became vacant.
In 1966 tenders were called twice, with the same respondent each time, who was rejected. The Shire of Chittering sold the property in 1976, into private ownership. During that period of ownership, the place was used as a dwelling. In 1998, the Shire of Chittering purchased the vacant Chittering Road Board Office (fmr) and called for expressions of interest from community groups to use the building. The Bindoon Arts & Crafts group successfully tendered, outlining a proposal to develop the site as an arts and craft centre, tourist facility, museum and child care facility. In 1999, the Shire of Chittering received $20,000 for the building restoration from Centenary of Federation funding. The conservation works commenced in April 2000.

Integrity/Authenticity

The original design and functional intention of the place is very clear. No additions or alterations have taken place. Although it is not possible to reinstate the original function, the place has a high integrity and authenticity. There has been a lack of maintenance over a period of many years and cumulative effects of weathering on external elements, Similarly, the interior has been neglected but maintained at a functional level. Overall the place is in fair condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.