Norfolk Island Pine, Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, fencing to Vaucluse Road

Item details


Name of item:	Norfolk Island Pine, Hoop Pine, Bunya Pine, fencing to Vaucluse Road
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Parks, Gardens and Trees
Category:	Trees of social, historic or special significance
Primary address:	22A Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse, NSW 2030
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Woollahra

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
22A Vaucluse Road	Vaucluse	Woollahra	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	The site is significant as part of the original grant to William Charles Wentworth in 1838. The three trees and stone watercourse form the only surviving remnants of the former property named The Hermitage which was constructed for the McCathie family in 1915. Although there is no documentation on the three trees - Bunya Pine, Hoop Pine and Port Jackson Fig - they were most likely planted as part of the landscaping of The Hermitage by the McCathie family and have historic and social significance for their association with the house and family. The trees have aesthetic significance for their contribution to the character of the immediate area. Statement of significance - trees These Araucarias, located near the gatehouse of the original estate, form an outstanding and visually striking group with their tall, emergent canopies. These trees are in a commanding elevated position above the bay and are of high visual prominence particularly from the harbour. These species continue a general theme throughout the Municipality and are garden remnants of the extensive "Hermitage" estate, now subdivided into many small parcels of land. This estate was first developed in c.1840 and subsequently upgraded with a larger residence in the 1870's. These trees most likely are associated with this latter phase of building on the site. Furthermore, these trees are of significance as being part of a major historic association of ornamental Araucarias and Figs on this original estate. (Refer to Listings: 20A "The Manor", 20B "The Lodge", and 22E Vaucluse Road). These trees provide magnificent vertical accents set against the dramatic topography of these foreshores. Their emergent forms punctuate the skyline and continue a similar thematic planting to other outlying estates, such as "Tivoli", now Kambala School and "Fernleigh Castle", Rose Bay. This property also contains a large Port Jackson Fig and two Camphor Laurels. The neighbouring property 20B has a particularly large Moreton Bay Fig and together these trees provide a dense cloistered atmosphere below these Araucarias, totally dominating the front part of this property and entry area. The grove of very tall Washington Palms (Washingtonia robusta), which extend up the valley to properties 10 and 12 Gilliver Road, are further important elements and visually extend the exotic character of this landscape
	Date significance updated: 10 Mar 95
	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


Construction years:	1890-1920
Physical description:	The stone watercourse runs westward from New South Head Road to the foreshore. It forms the northern boundary of the property at 22a Vaucluse Road. The watercourse comprises two dry stone wall. The eastern section at the corner of Carrera Road has stone blocks of approximately 500 x300 x200mm, and reaches heights of 1.8 metres. There are some tapered stones to the top of the wall. The bed appears to be stone block, and some shifting has occured. The wall to the watercourse reaches heights of 5-6 metres towards the foreshore. The blocks towards the opening appear more random, the bed is bare rock. There are some brick sections, retaining walls to adjacent properties. Pvc drain pipes from adjacent properties pierce the wall at intervals along the full length of the course. At the opening only the lower courses appear to be original. The opening is spanned by a timber foot bridge, part of a Sydney Harbour National Park Nature Trail. Sandstone and concrete steps lead up the watercourse from the opening, also possibly part of the trail. A creeper covers much of the southern wall of the course at the opening. Two pine trees and a fig tree are located towards Vaucluse Road. Style: N/A External Materials: Dry stone wall Internal Materials: N/A. Stone watercourse and three pine trees.. Summary of Listed Trees located within this Property Description: 1 No. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) 1 No. Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) 1 No. Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillli) Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine Significance Attributes: Component of Informal Group, Historic, Visual Dominance (Harbour/ District/ Local) Origin: Ornamental/ Cultivation Location: Pine located on the northern side of the right-of-way, east of the garage in a well cared for garden. Height: 21 metres Canopy Spread: 7 metres Trunk Diameter: 800mm (@ 1.0 metre above ground level) Estimated Age: 110+ years Condition/ Health: Pine in reasonably good condition and health with bule dead wood and a sparse canopy. The tree should respond to improved current maintenance. Botanical Name: Araucaria cunninghamii Common Name: Hoop Pine Significance Attributes: Component of Informal Group, Historic, Visual Dominance (Harbour/ District/ Local) Origin: Ornamental/ Cultivated Location: Pine located on the northern side of the right-of-way, west of the garage in a well cared for garden. Height: 27 metres Canopy Spread: 14 metres Trunk Diameter: 900mm (@ 1.0 metre above ground level) Estimated Age: 110+ years Condition/ Health: Pine in reasonably good condition and health with little dead wood and a sparse canopy. The tree should respond to improved current maintenance. Botanical Name: Araucaria bidwillii Common Name: Bunya Pine Significance Attributes: Single Specimen, Historic, Visual Dominance (Harbour/ District/ Local) Origin: Ornamental/ Cultivation Location: Pine located on the northern side of the right-of-way, west of the garage in a well cared for garden. Height: 23 metres Canopy Spread: 5 metres Trunk Diameter: 500 mm (@ 1.0 metre above ground level) Estimated Age: 110+ years
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Condition Health: Pine has poor form and development. It has been crowded by the adjacent Hoop Pine and consequently has a thin and poorly developed crown, but dense new growth indicates renewed vitality with improved maintenance.


Current use:	Residence gardens
Former use:	Residence gardens

History

Historical notes:

The site formed part of the original grant to William Charles Wentworth in 1838. The three trees and stone watercourse form part of the former property of The Hermitage. Their date of origin is unknown. The first record of the property is in the Sands for 1915, with the McCathie family in residence. The property transferred to Kate Edith McCathie in 1929. Subdivision of the land occurred in 1929, Lot 1 being the site of The Hermitage, Lots 2 and 3 to the street transferred to husband David H. McCathie and Jack. H. McCathie. David H. McCathie was still the registered proprietor of the property in 1960. The three trees - Bunya Pine, Hoop Pine and Port Jackson Fig - were most likely planted as part of the landscaping to The Hermitage by the McCathie family. The trees are protected by the Woollahra Council's Tree Preservation Order of 1970. The first record of the stone watercourse which forms the northern boundary of the property is in 1929. A 1984 DA to remove the trees was refused in the Land and Environment Court.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Emergence of building styles-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	A place to live-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities	Cultural and social life-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Historically representative at a Local level.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Aesthetically representative at a Local level.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Socially representative at a Local level.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Socially representative at a Local level. Aesthetically representative at a Local level. Historically representative at a Local level.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:


	A Heritage Report required prior to any proposals for removal or demolition of any part of the watercourse. All trees should be retained as part of the site and there should be no lopping or removalof sections of the trees unless they pose a distinctr threat to the safety of persons on the site.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number
Local Environmental Plan	Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014	399	23 May 15
Local Environmental Plan - Lapsed	Woollahra	LEP 1995	10 Mar 95	28
Heritage study	Woollahra	L-17	01 May 84

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Woollahra Heritage Study 1997	1997	780.0680	Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd	GBA	No
Register of Significant Trees	1991		Landarc Landscape Architects		No

References, internet links & images

None

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2710150

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