Archaeological Item - Wynyard Park

Item details


Name of item:	Archaeological Item - Wynyard Park
Type of item:	Archaeological-Terrestrial
Group/Collection:	Defence
Category:	Barracks & housing
Primary address:	York Street, Sydney , NSW 2000
Local govt. area:	Sydney

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
York Street	Sydney	Sydney	Primary Address
Carrington Street	Sydney	Sydney	Alternate Address
Wynyard Street	Sydney	Sydney	Alternate Address
Margaret Street	Sydney	Sydney	Alternate Address

Statement of significance:


	Wynyard Park is the site of the first military barracks in Australia, the present park having its location, form and dimensions from the space of the original parade ground that the barracks occupied. The site is one Australias oldest parks to be continuoisly set aside as open space for public use in an urban context. The park has maintained its role as an open square for public meetings, political protests, entertainmant, assembly and passive recreation since its dedication as a public park in 1887. The park is held in high esteem by visitors, workers, and commuters to the city as a place of public assembly, passive recreation and a transport interchange and as a green corridor space within the built fabric of the city. Wynyard park is a landmark place an contributes significantly to the ambience within the city. The park remains one of the most recognisable and well known of Sydneys open spaces and is highlighted as a city attraction. Its inclusion on several registers underscores its widespread acceptance as an important heritage item and public amenity. (draft plan of management 1996).
	Date significance updated: 06 Feb 06
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Physical description:	Open Space also utilized as Bus interchange. An area of partial and significant ground disturbance due to pedestrian tunnels, services and landscaping. Above ground items of significance include trees & palms, statue of Dr Lang & Edwardian mens urinal (see other database listings).
Further information:	Category:BG_Potential Rating:PartialDisturubance Rating:SignificantDisturubance ZoningPlan:Yes Impact:Yes Heritage Inventory sheets are often not comprehensive, and should be regarded as a general guide only. Inventory sheets are based on information available, and often do not include the social history of sites and buildings. Inventory sheets are constantly updated by the City as further information becomes available. An inventory sheet with little information may simply indicate that there has been no building work done to the item recently: it does not mean that items are not significant. Further research is always recommended as part of preparation of development proposals for heritage items, and is necessary in preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments and Conservation Management Plans, so that the significance of heritage items can be fully assessed prior to submitting development applications.


Current use:	Utilities Military Recreation

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters.

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney.

(Information sourced from Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani )

7 major historical phases: 1/ Military barracks 1792-1848. 2/ Wynyard Square 1848-1875. 3/ Wynyard Square recreation ground 1875-1887. 4/ Wynyard Park 1887-1925. 5/ Wynyard station excavations 1925-1933. 6/ Wynyard park, station and bus terminus 1933-1971. 7/. Wynard park and City of Sydney Strategic plans 1971-1996.
For a full historical overview please refer to Draft plan of management 1996, and Draft plan of management 1993. (see bibliography).

Recommended management:

no recommendations specifically for archaeology. The building should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Assessment and Heritage Impact Statement, or a Conservation Management Plan, should be prepared for the building prior to any major works being undertaken. There shall be no vertical additions to the building and no alterations to the façade of the building other than to reinstate original features. The principal room layout and planning configuration as well as significant internal original features including ceilings, cornices, joinery, flooring and fireplaces should be retained and conserved. Any additions and alterations should be confined to the rear in areas of less significance, should not be visibly prominent and shall be in accordance with the relevant planning controls.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Archaeological zoning plan
Heritage study

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Anita Heiss		Aboriginal People and Place, Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City
Written	G & L Popian.	1997	John Dunmore Lang Memorial, Wynyard Park, Sydney : conservation treatments, final report
Written	Jackson Teece Chesterman Willis Pty Ltd.	1999	Report on underground conveniences at Macquarie Place, Wynyard Park, Hyde Park North
Written	Siobhan Lavelle	1992	The archaeological zoning plan for Central Sydney
Written	Sydney City Council/Shirley Fitzgerald	1997	Draft Plan of Management Wynyard Park Draft Plan of Management Wynyard Park.Conybreare Morrison & Partners March 1993, for Sydney city Council.
Written	Tract Consultants	1997	Wynyard Park Edwardian lavatory : conservation plan of management for the Council of the City of Sydney

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2424820

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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