Cottage, 4286 Great Northern Hwy, Lower Chittering

Values

• The place is associated with the Nesci family, who have been long standing members of the local area, operating the Chittering Valley Winery & Nesci Estate Wines, and the local service station, and liquor store ‘Tony’s Place’.
• The place is associated with the development of the Chittering district in the post-World War II period.
• The place is a representative example of self-sufficiency by homeowners and the use of homemade concrete bricks when building materials were scarce in the period after World War II.

Statement of Significance

The place is associated with the Nesci family, who have been long standing members of the local area, operating the Chittering Valley Winery & Nesci Estate Wines, and the local service station, and liquor store ‘Tony’s Place’; The place is associated with the development of the Chittering district in the post-World War II period; The place is a representative example of self-sufficiency by homeowners and the use of homemade concrete bricks when building materials were scarce in the period after World War II.

Physical Description

Cottage, 4286 Great Northern Highway, Lower Chittering is a small single-storey cottage located 80 metres off the Great Northern Highway in Lower Chittering, and approximately 20km south of Bindoon. The cottage is a north-west facing residence located behind a service station, roadhouse and liquor store facility operating as ‘Tony’s Place’. The dwelling is constructed with cream painted hand-made bricks cement, and a terracotta tile roof. The interior was not inspected, however it is likely the majority of the original fittings remain. The original timber sash windows, floorboards and roof beams are Jarrah. Two corrugated iron tanks are located at the rear of the building, one set on stone and concrete foundation and the other on concrete blocks. The rear verandah area is enclosed by wire fencing. The exterior is in excellent condition. A fenced yard extends to the north east of the dwelling. An outhouse, and garage/shed, both constructed with asbestos cladding and tin roofs, are located to the rear (south east) of the building. A large (10 metre by 3 metre) timber fruit drying rack with a white gum and jarrah frame and skillion tin roof is located approximately 25 metres to the north west of the cottage. The rack is in poor condition, although the original function is still discernible. The ‘Nesci Shed’, associated with the adjacent winery and property to the east, is located on the adjacent lot to the southeast of the cottage, and separated from it by a timber fence. It is not located within the curtilage of Cottage, 4286 Great Northern Highway, Lower Chittering.

History

Although the first title deeds within the Chittering Brook region were issued in 1843, it was not until the 1850s and 1860s that the area was first settled. The area developed from an agricultural district focussing on livestock and hay in the late nineteenth century to a prosperous citrus district by the 1920s. After the upheaval of two world wars and the Depression, the Chittering district underwent a revival in the post-World War II period. The late 1940 influx of soldier settlers in the Bindoon area led to the construction and improvement of facilities and infrastructure. Roads were improved to cater for faster and technologically advanced vehicles, and heralded a period of prosperity and development. The certificate of title shows that Antonio Nesci, Farmer, acquired the property on Great Northern Highway in 1955. Family accounts suggest that Cottage, 4286 Great Northern Highway, Lower Chittering was constructed as the Nesci family home between 1948 and the 1960s. It is likely that the building was constructed around the mid-1950s, around the same time as the establishment of the Chittering Valley Winery and Nesci Estate Wines company owned by the Nesci family. The fruit drying shed appears to be contemporaneous with both the cottage. Although the 1970s saw a transition in a number of properties from citrus and sheep to cattle breeding and horses, the Nesci property has continued to maintain the original vineyard. Cottage, 4286 Great Northern Highway, Lower Chittering was transferred to the ownership of Susanne Paperone, the daughter of the former owner, in 2012. The dwelling is currently vacant and is proposed for demolition as part of the road upgrade works along Great Northern Highway being undertaken by Main Roads Western Australia.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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