4.0 ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF COMPONENTS Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Assessment

Transcription

1 Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Assessment TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1035

2 Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Existing Planning / Development Plan Context Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square exists within the Victoria Square Precinct CA10 of the City of Adelaide Development Plan (pp ). Its Environment is described as: DESIRED FUTURE CHARACTER The Victoria Square Precinct will be maintained as the civic centre of the State, and the focus of its judicial and administrative functions. There are opportunities for cultural, community and educational facilities, medical services and for additional visitor and residential accommodation to add further diversity and vitality around the Square. The central City significance of the Victoria Square Precinct will be reinforced by the development of substantial and imposing buildings that enhance the formal and dignified character of the Square, and respect the scale and detailing of the many significant heritage buildings. The Square itself is the most formal of the City s public areas and will provide spaces for civic ceremonies, cultural activities and public meetings, as well as a range of casual recreational areas of less formal activities. The landscaped environment of the Square and streets leading to it are to be improved and designed to reinforce this civic role and allow for these activities. Within the Square, tree planting will replace senescent trees, while on the perimeter, planting should create vistas linked to connecting formal boulevards. The Precinct will continue to be highly accessible and a key focus of the public transport network. Bus stopes and the tram terminus will maintain attractive shelter, seating and safety. There are no components within Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square that are identified on the State Heritage Register, however several components adjacent to Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square are identified in the State Heritage Register, including: 2-10 Flinders Street, Pilgrim Church Flinders Street, Ethnic Affairs Commission Building Franklin Street, offices 5-7 Gouger Street, Jeffcott Chambers King William Street, Electra House King William Street, General Post Office King William Street, former Treasury Buildings King William Street, Local Court King William Street, Crown & Sceptre Hotel 17 Morialta Street, Adelaide Benevolent & Strangers Friend Society 19 Pirie Street, Queens Chambers Victoria Square, MLC Building 182 Victoria Square, Reserve Bank of Australia Victoria Square, former Marine & Harbors Building Victoria Square, Sir Samuel Way Building Victoria Square, Supreme Court Victoria Square, Magistrate s Court Wakefield Street, St Francis Xaxier s Cathedral No components of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square have been identified on the National Trust of South Australia s Register of Significant Trees. Significant Components and Places Within Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, these components include: Overall Spatial Patterns Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square drew its form from the original design prepared by Colonel William Light that created a rectangular road system and park shape in the Square. Conceptually the park shapes within the Square, as proposed by Light, remain obscure due to the quality of primary information extant today but it was clear that he envisaged a two-rectangle configured park within the Square with a roadway encircling the parks and a central east-west roadway through the space. This design was largely implemented by the Corporation in the late 1830s, and extensively planted by landscape contractor George Francis and inaugural City Gardener O Brien with conceptual concern to design and fashionable period tree species, until the Square was redivided in 1883 by the Corporation, through the assent of the Victoria Square Thoroughfare Act 1882 by the colonial parliament, enabling the division of the Square into four equal rectangular shapes with central east-west and north-south roadways dissecting the Square like a union jack flag. City Gardener Richard Patterson was charged with creating the formal Victorian-style gardens within each of these rectangles and implemented the first recorded landscape plan involving a somewhat consistent formal and decorative scheme of pathways, tree and shrub plantings, garden beds, and accent features that included the re-siting of several of the extant statues in the Square. City Gardener August Pelzer undertook minor modifications and improvements to the Square up until whereupon a major renovation was undertaken of infrastructure, tree and shrub plantings, toilet erection, pathway systems, and statue locations to a master plan prepared by Pelzer. A further major renovation to the landscape of the Squares was proposed in a Edwardian-style master plan and implemented by Pelzer in 1930 including major tree felling, grubbing and replacement, pathway reconfigurations and a reduction of the labour-intensive garden beds. This design remained consistent until the next major renovation of the Square that was prompted by the re-alignment of the roadway system in the Square in 1966 creating the existing dual semi-triangular spaces, with an east-west roadway, central pedestrian promenade, changes and extensive felling of mature trees and planting beds removals. The accompanying planting design sought to incorporate extant Patterson and Pelzer established trees and was laid out in a simplified Gardenesque manner. Much of this vegetation remains today in a deteriorating condition. Despite a successive suite of design proposals commissioned by the Corporation or pro-offered by the community and design professionals since 1966, the Corporation has failed to resolve and implement a mature spatial design to the Square that resolves any design, planning and political debates about a space commissariat to the stature of the city and the spatial importance of the Square to Light s Plan, the city and the state. Interestingly, since its creation nearly every 50 years the Square has been subject to a major landscape renovation including new tree planting; thus the Square is a venue of process heritage that enables a regular renovation in line with contemporary landscape design ideas of the time; and, the next renovation therefore is running behind schedule. In terms of the overall spatial patterns, Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Overall (J&E LB.20): a large rectangular space that has been compromised with the creation of a series of six triangular park spaces that departed from the original two-rectangular and later four-rectangle series of formal landscape spaces resulting in the present 1966-created spatial arrangement. Of some symbolic, design, historical and aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Nomenclature: as a place, the Square carries two names: Victoria Square and Tarndanyangga. Both names are significant in terms of their designation and the date of their designation. As a Square, Victoria Square was named after Princess Victoria ( ) and not Queen Victoria (r ) as she ascended to in 1837, and there are very few places in the world actually named after the TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1036

3 Princess as distinct from her known role as Queen. Tarndanyangga derives from the Kaurna word for tarnda (red kangaroo) and kanya ('rock'), -ngga is a suffix frequently found in Kaurna place names to denote location. During 2004 the City Council adopted the joint cultural designation of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square as part of its Reconciliation commitment. Of some social merit. Land Use The land use of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square has remained consistently, as proposed by Light, as a public park or village common. There is one area of significance evident in terms of its use and function: Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Park Use: the overall Square has retained its design intent and purpose as proposed by Light in 1836 as a central gathering point and passive recreation venue. Of some design, symbolic and cultural merit. Circulation Networks Historically Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square was proposed by Light as a two-portion rectangular common encircled by a roadway with a east-west roadway dissecting the space. Francis and O Brien implemented a formal rectangular and diamond-shaped pathway system, and under Patterson and Pelzer the re-designed Square was re-crafted into a series of formal rectilinear series of pathways paralleling the quad-partite set of parks that were created. The circulation system was extensively modified in 1966 with the re-construction of the north-south roadway and the subsequent major renovations to the internal pathway system. These circulation routes include: Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Road System: a very open semi-tree-lined roadway system that encircles the Square. Of some design, aesthetic and engineering merit. Wakefield-Grote Streets Roadscape: a very open tree-lined road expanse constructed in c.1836 enabling through Wakefield-Grote street movement which has remained a consistent circulation system since the first survey of the Square. Of some design, aesthetic and engineering merit. Natural Features Responsiveness Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square exists within a flat expanse. The significant natural features in the Square are: Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Plain: the predominant flat expanse of the space with little physical topographical feature except minor remnant planting mounds in several of the triangle parks. Of some geographical and aesthetic merit. Boundary Demarcations No evidence is present of past demarcation devices and fencing apart from the fundamental road boundaries. Vegetation There are numerous vegetation elements in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square that possess cultural heritage merit, including: TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1037

4 Pink Kurrajong (Brachychiton x populneo-acerifolius) specimen (J&E TA.30): located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square to the west of the fountain. Of some aesthetic and horticultural merit. Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) specimen (J&E TA.31): located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square to the east of the fountain, and planted on 2 July 1938 by state Governor Sir Winston J Dugan, in conjunction with the planting of a series of Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) trees by the RSSILA (SA) [RSL] as part of a war memorial planting. Of some aesthetic and historical merit. Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) corridor (J&E TA.31): located alongside the former north-south roadway in both main portions of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, with the first specimen planted on 2 July 1938 by state Governor Sir Winston J Dugan, to inaugurate the series of Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) trees by the RSSILA (SA) [RSL] as part of a war memorial planting. Of some aesthetic and historical merit. Wayne Murphy Tree (Fraxinus oxycarpa): located adjacent to Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) specimen planted by state Governor Sir Winston J Dugan, in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, this specimen was planted, with associated plaque, on 1 January 2004 to record the service of long time Corporation employee Wayne Murphy. Of some historic merit. possibly earlier by O Brien, a specimen in a declining and poorly condition. Of some aesthetic and horticultural merit. Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) 2: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a large tall elderly specimen of an Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) dating from the 1880s-1890s period. Probably planted under the Patterson planting scheme, or possibly earlier by O Brien, a specimen in a declining and poorly condition. Of some aesthetic and horticultural merit. White Poplar (Populus alba fastigiata ) Grove: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, two groves of erect White Poplars (Populus alba fastigiata ) planted in the tree planting programme associated with the road realignment in the Square, resulting in two parallel groves of 5 and 6 specimens on the western and eastern sides of the Three Rivers Fountain, in an elderly and poorly condition today. Of some aesthetic merit. North-Western Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis) Grove: located in the north-western triangle, a series of 2 mature and 24 young Oriental Planes (Platanus orientalis) planted as part of a failed commercial venture in c.2000 to establish a coffee plaza space but resulting in an intimate grove of specimens today reminiscence of intensive urban Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) groves established in the City of Melbourne. Of some aesthetic merit. Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) 1: located in the northern portion of the Square, a large tall elderly specimen of an Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) dating from the 1880s-1890s period. Probably planted under the Patterson planting scheme, or TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1038

5 Spatial Arrangements Several areas are present: with adjacent Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) plaza and the Captain Charles Sturt statue. Of some aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Overall (J&E LB.20): a rectangular space that has been compromised with a major road re-alignment n 1966 establishing the present road and circulation system, with four adjunct triangular park segment, compromising the original large dual-rectangle Square envisaged by Light. Of some design, historical and aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square North Quadrant: the main portion of the Square created as a consequence of the Victoria Square road re-alignment works in 1966 that shapes the character of the Square today. Of some aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square South Quadrant: the main portion of the Square created as a consequence of the Victoria Square road re-alignment works in 1966 that shapes the character of the Square today. Of some aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square South-Eastern Triangle: located in the southeastern corner of the Square, a somewhat densely tree planted open triangular park dominated by Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) specimens and a garden bed mound. Of some aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square South-Western Triangle: located in the southwestern corner of the Square, a somewhat open tree planted open triangular park dominated by Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and Nettle Tree (Celtis australis) specimens and a garden bed mound. Of some aesthetic merit. Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square North-Western Triangle: located in the northwestern corner of the Square, a somewhat densely tree planted open triangular park dominated by Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and Nettle Tree (Celtis australis) specimens, Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square North-Eastern Triangle: located in the northeastern corner of the Square, a somewhat densely tree planted open triangular park dominated by Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) specimens and a garden bed mound. Of some aesthetic merit. Queen Victoria Statue Rectangle: located in the centre of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, comprising the east-west roadway corridor of Wakefield and Grote Streets crowned centrally by the statue of Queen Victoria. A space that has remained historically consistent since its first establishment in c.1836 except changes in street trees and the installation of the statue. A large bitumen expanse edged with Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) street-tree plantings. Of some aesthetic and design merit. Tramway Corridor: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a north-south dusty corridor occupied by tram lines and the tram waiting area, edged by lines of Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) trees planted in 1938, largely using the main area of the original north-south roadway that prior to 1966 dominated the Square. Of some aesthetic merit. Fountain Corridor: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a north-south pedestrian promenade space dominated by the Three Rivers Fountain and black-and-white paving, edged by lines of Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) trees planted in 1938, and an open expanse that was created in 1966 as part of the road re-alignment construction works often used today as a primary gathering point for festivals and protests in Adelaide. Of some aesthetic and design merit. TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1039

6 Structures There are no structures in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square of significance. Small Scale Elements There are numerous elements in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square that have merit. These include: Queen Victoria Statue (J&E OA.6): located in the central point of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a life-size bronze statue of Queen Victoria positioned on a tall and elaborate pedestal depicts Victoria RI looking triumphantly northwards across the Square into King William Street, donated by Sir Edwin Thomas Smith in 1894, unveiled on Saturday 11 August 1894, and cast at Thames & Dutton in London from a model by Charles Bell Birch. Restored and renovated in Of some design, historic, symbolic and aesthetic merit. John McDouall Stuart Statue: located in the north-eastern triangular park in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a life-size white Carrara marble statue, featuring John McDouall Stuart in bush costume, a draped Union Jack flag, standing on top of a poorly transcribed map of Australia with the inscription John McDouall Stuart Explorer Adelaide to Indian Ocean carved Sydney sculptor James White, unveiled on 4 June 1904 in the north-eastern corner of Victoria Square. Of some design, historic, symbolic and aesthetic merit. Street facing south-eastwards. A life-size bronze statue of Sturt in an open-necked shirt, with the inscription Captain Charles Sturt Explorer born April died June , undertaken by London sculptor Captain Adrian Jones with pedestal was sourced from Murray Bridge granite and prepared by GE Morgan, unveiled on 21 December 1916 by state Governor Sir Henry Galway and JL Lewis MLC. Of some design, historic, aesthetic and symbolic merit. Charles Cameron Kingston Statue: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square on the north-west corner opposite the Hilton Hotel, looking north-westwards. A life-size bronze statue honouring The Right Honourable Charles Cameron Kingston Patriot and Statesman, with a the pedestal including a bronze coat of arms inscribed Viribus Scandens (In Strength Ascend) quartered by lions prepared by sculptor Alfred Drury, and mason W Laycock to prepare the pedestal of granite with a intermediate strip of marble, that was unveiled by Governor General Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson on 26 May Of some historic, design, aesthetic and symbolic merit. Australian Bicentennial Police Overland Camel Expedition Plaque: a bronze plaque, affixed to the Stuart statue, recording the Australian Bicentennial of the Police Overland Camel Expedition between 6 September 1978 to 1 January 1988, unveiled by Lord Mayor Steve Condous on 1 January Of some social merit. South Australian Caledonian Society Plaque: a bronze plaque affixed to the Stuart statue unveiled by the Chair of the Statue Committee, AJ McLachlan on 4 June Of some social merit. Captain Charles Sturt Statue: located in the north-western triangular portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square on the corner of King William Street with Flinders TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1040

7 James & John Chambers with William Finke Plaque: affixed to the Stuart statue, a bronze plaque unveiled on 4 June 2004 to commemorate the Centennial of Stuart s statue being unveiled and giving recognition to the members of Stuart s expedition, James and John Chambers, and William Finke. Of some social merit. Centenary of the Crossing of Adelaide to Indian Ocean Plaque: a bronze plaque affixed to the Stuart statue to commemorate the Centenary of the Crossing of Australia from Adelaide to the Indian Ocean by the John McDouall Stuart expedition, unveiled by the state Governor Sir Edic Bastyn on 25 July 1962 and sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society of Australia (South Australian Branch). Of some social and historical merit. True North Plaque: a circular bronze plaque located at the northern head of Victoria Square recording the direction of true north, unveiled by the Institute of Surveyors Australia (South Australian Division) with the South Australian Department of Lands in April Of some social merit. State Survey Mark Plaque: a rectangular bronze plaque unveiled by Susan Lenehan MP on 21 April 1989 recording the event of Light placing the first survey peg to establish the City of Adelaide survey that occurred on 11 January Of some historical merit. Seating: located in the north-western triangular park in the Square, a series of 7 cubiod seating blocks composed of cream coloured textured concrete of varying lengths, intended as a lineal seating structure, erected in c.2000 as part of the adjacent unsuccessful coffee plaza development. Of some aesthetic merit. Art Sculpture: located in the footpath adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and stainless steel structure artistically resembling an elderly twisted bollard that has been used as a bicycle rack. Of some design and aesthetic merit. Traffic Median Island: located adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, a slender arc-ed low constructed traffic median island, with pressed metal sides, and planted with Knobby Clubrush (Isolepis nodosa). Of some design merit. King William Street South Art Installation: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a set of galvanised posts supporting powder coated and laser cut metal forms erected in c.1996 as part of the King William Street South urban design project. Of some design merit. Hitching Posts: located outside the state government offices in the north-eastern flank of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, two Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) horse hitching posts with chambered tops and cast metal rings, of an unknown age. Of some historical and aesthetic merit. Northern Square Paving: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a series of black and natural coloured square concrete pavers that form the paving patterns in this portion, re-laid on 2006 as part of minor renovations to the Square, repeating the original Mintaro slate and natural concrete pavers and their pattern that was reminiscent of the black and white intricate Copacabana foreshore promenade in Rio de Janeiro as designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Of some aesthetic and design merit. Southern Square Paving: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a series of original Mintaro slate and natural concrete coloured square pavers that form the paving patterns in this portion, with pattern reminiscent of the black and white intricate Copacabana foreshore promenade in Rio de Janeiro as designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Probably laid in 1966 as part of the road re-alignment TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1041

8 construction works but given the age of the pavers, which appear to be from the 1920s and 30s, are recycled paving materials used in the project possibly from paving material laid by Pelzer in the Square in 1910 or Of some historic, aesthetic and design merit Square, and generally throughout South Australia, as sponsored by the RSSILA (SA) following the First World War. Of some historic merit. John Dowie Plaque: located on the edge of the Three Rivers Fountain, a small bronze plaque recording the sculptor of the fountain, local Adelaide resident John Dowie. Of some historic merit. The Three Rivers Fountain (J&E OA.9): located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, an aluminium and concrete fountain prepared by artist John Dowie entitled The Three Rivers recording the three rivers from which Adelaide draws its water, the Murray, the Torrens and the Onkaparinga. The three rivers are represented by motifs of an Aboriginal man and ibis, an Aboriginal woman and a black swan, and an Aboriginal women and a heron. Turned on 28 May 1968 by the Duke of Edinburgh during the tour of Queen Elizabeth II. Of some design merit. Drinking Fountains: two Hitchcock design bronze drinking fountains, with ovoid chrome-plated basins set on a fluted bronze pillars with curved water pipes with associated push buttons, as manufactured by Messrs Hitchcock Bros., and purchased by the Corporation in c.1925 for about 5 10/- each and with a purchase of the design pattern at 44 in and repositioned in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square following its 1966 major renovation, located in the northern portion near the Three River Fountain and in the southern portion at the Tram Stop. Of some historic, engineering, design and aesthetic merit. Three Rivers Fountain Plaques: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a aggregate stone embedded concrete cuboid structure with two bronze plaques affixed recording the commissioning, unveiling and narrative behind the Three Rivers Fountain. Of some historic merit. Victoria Square War Memorial Tree Plaque: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a bronze plaque unveiled by state Governor Sir Winston J Dugan on 2 July 1935, beneath a Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) specimen, as part of the inaugural planting of two lines of Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) trees in the Adelaide & Suburban Tramway Memorial: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, an aggregate stone rendered memorial structure with a bronze plaque affixed thereon recording the original horse tram No 18 service by the Adelaide & Suburban Tramway Horse Tram service, unveiled in June 1978 by the state Premier Don Dunstan. Of some historic merit. Tram Stop: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, a tram stop that was created in 1966 as part of the renovations to the Square. Of some historic and social merit. TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1042

9 Excel Loo North: located in the northern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square on Wakefield-Grote Street frontage, an Excel Loo unit installed in Of some engineering and design merit. Excel Loo South: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square on Wakefield-Grote Street frontage, an Excel Loo unit installed in Of some engineering and design merit. Flinders Street Kerbing: located in the kerbing of the northern side of Flinders Street in the Square, adjacent to the former Treasury Building, lengths of Mintaro slate vehicular kerbing dating from the 1870s-80s. Of some design merit. Franklin Street Kerbing: located in the kerbing of the northern side of Franklin Street in the Square, adjacent to the General Post Office, lengths of red granite vehicular kerbing dating from the 1870s-80s. Of some design merit. Flagpoles: located in the southern portion of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, two tall stainless steel flagpoles normally supporting state and Aboriginal flags, of which the latter to a design by Harold Thomas was first raised in the Square in Of some historic, symbolic and aesthetic merit. Solar Lights: a series of 12 solar powered light standards erected alongside Wakefield- Grote Streets as they dissect Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, erected in 2005 by the Corporation. Of some design and engineering merit. TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1043

10 Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Benchmark: located opposite the Torrens Building in the Square lawns, a 1.1m x 0.2² cast iron bench installed in c.1872 by the EWS with the reference number 9 on one face, VR on another, and height [46.84m]above LW at Pt A on another face. An integral surveying benchmark for all city infrastructure planning and construction documentation and installation, and possibly the only such benchmark extant today. Of some historical and engineering merit. Grote Street West Vista: a semi-framed vista looking westwards along Grote Street from its Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square intersection, with a wide open vista, towards the Gulf St Vincent blue skyline. Of some aesthetic merit. Historical Views and Aesthetic Qualities Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square is relatively flat landscape encircled by a dominant and tall set of built form edges. Roadways exiting the Square afford defined views of the landscape beyond, including: King William Street Internal South Vista: a wide open treed landscape vista presented to the traveller as they exit King William Street from the north and enter Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, with a feature fountain in the centre and the faint outline of the Adelaide Hills escarpment to the far south. Of some aesthetic merit. King William Street Internal North Vista: a wide open treed landscape vista presented to the traveller as they exit King William Street from the south and enter Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, with a dusty tramline corridor in the centre, with a glimpse of the fountain and the rising towers of the General Post Office and the Corporation s Town Hall in the middle-ground, and a blue skyline beyond. Of some aesthetic merit. King William Street North Vista: a framed vista looking northwards along King William Street from the Flinders-Franklin Street intersection, with a canyon-like vista, towards the northern often open blue sky. Of some aesthetic merit. King William Street South Vista: a framed vista looking southwards along King William Street from the Gouger-Angas Street intersection, with an open vista, towards the southern often open blue sky but distinguished with the darkness of the distant Adelaide Hills escarpment. Of some aesthetic merit. Wakefield Street East Vista: a semi-framed vista looking eastwards along Wakefield Street from its Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square intersection, with a wide open vista, towards the eastern Adelaide Hills escarpment. Of some aesthetic merit. Wakefield Street Internal West Vista: a wide open treed landscape vista presented to the traveller as they exit Wakefield Street from the east and enter Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, with a dominant feature of the Queen Victoria statue lost in the roadscape and middle-ground buildings especially the Hilton Hotel, and a blue skyline beyond. Of some aesthetic merit. Grote Street Internal East Vista: a wide open treed landscape vista presented to the traveller as they exit Grote Street from the west and enter Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, with a dominant feature of the Queen Victoria statue lost in the roadscape and middle-ground buildings especially the St Francis Xaxier Cathedral spire-tower, and a blue skyline with the outline of the Adelaide Hills escarpment beyond. Of some aesthetic merit. TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1044

11 Cultural Landscape Heritage Significance Evaluation The following table summarises the cultural landscape heritage components present in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square. A separate assessment, in the Main Report, positions Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square s cultural landscapes in the context of the wider Adelaide Park Lands and Squares. Post Office Victoria Tower Vista: a familiar image and vista that has historically been featured in sketches, lithographs, postcards and photographs since its erection principally as a single architectural feature but occasionally in conjunction with the Corporation s Town Hall tower. Traditionally viewed from within Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square, in the north-eastern quadrant, the vista is now only appreciated by photographers, pedestrians using the eastern side of the Square and pedestrians using the central pedestrian promenade in the northern portion of the Square. A symbolic feature. Of some historical, cultural and aesthetic merit. Recommended: Preparation of a Conservation Study Proposed: National Trust of South Australia / Significant Tree Register Recommended: Adelaide City Development Plan (g) it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisation or an event of historical importance (f) it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a group within it. (e) it demonstrates a high degree of creative, aesthetic or technical accomplishment or is an outstanding representative of particular construction techniques or design characteristics (d) it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of places of cultural significance (c) it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the State s history, including its natural history (b) it has rare, uncommon or endangered qualities that are of cultural significance (a) it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State s history Recommended: State Heritage Register Recommended: Register of the National Estate Vulnerable Low Significance Medium Significance High Significance Existing: National Trust of South Australia / Significant Tree Register Existing: Adelaide City Development Plan Existing: State Heritage Register Existing: Register of the National Estate Park Tarndanyangga / Victoria Square Item / Component / Place Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Overall M Y - - Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Nomenclature M Y - - Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Park Use M Y - - Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Plain L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Road System L Wakefield Grote Streets Roadscape M Y - - Pink Kurrajong (Brachychiton x populneo-acerifolius) specimen M Y Y - Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) specimen M Y Y - Desert Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa) corridor L Wayne Murphy (Fraxinus oxycarpa) Tree specimen L Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) 1 specimen L Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) 2 specimen L TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1045

12 White Poplar (Populus alba fastigiata ) grove L North-Western Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis) grove L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Overall L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Northern Quadrant L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Southern Quadrant L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square South-Eastern Triangle L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square South-Western Triangle L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square North-Western Triangle L Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square North-Eastern Triangle L Queen Victoria Statue Rectangle M Y - - Tramway Corridor L Fountain Corridor L Queen Victoria Statue H Y Y Y - Y Y - - John McDouall Stuart Statue H Y Y Y - Y Y - - Captain Charles Sturt Statue H Y Y Y - Y Y - - Charles Cameron Kingston Statue H Y Y Y - Y Y - - Australian Bicentennial Police Overland Camel Expedition Plaque L South Australian Caledonian Society Plaque L James & John Chambers with William Finke Plaque L Centenary of the Crossing of Adelaide to Indian Ocean Plaque L True North Plaque L State Survey Mark Plaque L Seating L Art Sculpture L Traffic Median Island L King William Street South Art Installation L Hitching Posts M Y - - Northern Square Paving L Southern Square Paving M Y - - John Dowie Plaque L The Three Rivers Fountain M Y - - The Three Rivers Fountain Plaques L Victoria Square War Memorial Tree Plaque L Drinking Fountains M Adelaide & Suburban Tramways Memorial L Tram Stop L Excel Loo North L Excel Loo South L Flagpoles L Solar Lights L Flinders Street Kerbing M Y - - Franklin Street Kerbing M Y - - Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Benchmark H - - V - Y Y - - Y Y - - King William Street North Vista M Y - - King William Street South Vista M Y - - Wakefield Street East Vista L Grote Street West Vista L King William Street Internal South Vista L King William Street Internal North Vista L Wakefield Street Internal West Vista L Grote Street Internal East Vista L TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1046

13 Post Office Victoria Tower Vista M Y - - Statements of Cultural Significance Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square represents an integral segment of the overall Adelaide Park Lands and Squares, if not the central pivot point, illustrative of the Light plan for the City of Adelaide that has been subject to successive major road construction and associated major landscape renovations that have in each instance resulted in marked changes to the physical and aesthetic character of the Square resulting in the present 1966 constructed design that drew part of its landscape structure from early plantings under Pelzer. As a consequence the Square has been severally compromised in its spatial form and layout, and possesses a mature and aging near-senescent vegetation structure. While of pivotal symbolic importance to the city and state, an important venue for Aboriginal and post-contact gatherings, and hosting several important statues representing individuals who influenced the history and evolution of the colony/state, the Square has not been subject to the regular renovations to its circulation systems and vegetation structure and is accordingly suffering from a lack of renewal and vision. Accordingly, it is a severely compromised version of the Square as envisaged by Light as a designed and functional space, and is displaying deterioration and vegetation senescence. Recommendations: Prepare and implement a Landscape Master Plan for Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square as a matter of urgency that seeks to renovate the overall tree planting strategy, including replacements and new plantings, for the Square, re-considers the existing pedestrian pathway system, establishes a policy for any additional memorial plaques statues or similar, enables the addition of only a few life-size statues of individuals instrumental in the colony/state evolution, enables the positioning of fountains as necessary, enables the use of contemporary style bollards, fencing, gates, paving, edging, light standards furniture, signage, and which seeks to craft a contemporary forward-thinking style public park including the choice of plantings and detailing; As part of the above, seriously consider the adoption and implementation of the 2002 KBR prepared master plan as a feasible redevelopment and renovation strategy; That the Corporation reviews its underground irrigation and infrastructure policy as it relates to all Squares and seeks to prioritise all infrastructure placement under existing pathways and not through lawns or under the drip-lines of any Significant Tree under the Development Act 1993 or identified in this Assessment; Prohibit the erection of Corporation maintenance infrastructure in Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square; Remove all overhead wires and stobie poles from Victoria Square; Revise City of Adelaide Development Plan 2005 citations pertaining to CA10 to reflect the above conclusions and recommendations; Seek to conserve the medium significance identified vistas and trees/vegetation, above, in any renovation works for Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square; Prepare state heritage registration nominations, under the Heritage Places Act 1993, for the Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square Benchmark and statues; Review and reconsider all 1960s-2000s street tree planting species and species scales in the inner and outer perimeters of Tarndanyangga/Victoria Square roadscape in line with the above recommendation, and seek appropriate implementation actions; TARNDANYANGGA/VICTORIA SQUARE: 1047