Beverly Hills Railway Station Group

Item details


Name of item:	Beverly Hills Railway Station Group
Other name/s:	Dumbleton Railway Station (Until 1940)
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Primary address:	King Georges Road, Beverly Hills, NSW 2209
Local govt. area:	Georges River

Boundary:

North: the property ownership boundary fronting Tooronga Terrace; East: 5 metres past the end of the platform; South: the property ownerhship boundary fronting Morgan St; West: 5 m past the end of the platform entry steps (including the King Georges Rd overbridge). Please note this site is listed on the State Heritage Register (SHR) for which the curtilage may differ – see image gallery for more information. Any proposed development within the vicinity of the listed site should also consider the historic relationship between the listing and its surrounding area.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
King Georges Road	Beverly Hills	Georges River	Primary Address
Tooronga Terrace	Beverly Hills	Georges River	Alternate Address
Morgan Street	Beverly Hills	Georges River	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Beverly Hills Railway Station - including the 1931 platform and platform building and King Georges Road overbridge - has historical significance as a major public work completed as an unemployment relief project during the Great Depression, and as a major transport hub for the suburb of Beverly Hills since 1931. Beverly Hills Railway Station platform building is of aesthetic significance as an austere 1930s railway building with simple Art Deco detailing and fine brick workmanship that is evocative of the effects of the Depression on building programs for large organisations such as the NSW railways. Beverly Hills Railway Station is representative of the cohesive collection of 10 East Hills line railway stations from Turrella to East Hills.
	Date significance updated: 18 Dec 20
	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


Designer/Maker:	NSW Government Railways
Builder/Maker:	NSW Government Railways
Construction years:	1931-1931
Physical description:	PRECINCT ELEMENTS Platform Building (1931) (Type 13) Platform (1931) King Georges Road Overbridge (1931) Stairs, lift and platform canopy (2007) CONTEXT The station has one island platform with entry via sets of stairs on the east and west sides of the King Georges Road overbridge, which enter the west end of the platform. The west end of the platform extends under the road overbridge. The station perimeter is defined with white powder coated aluminium fencing. PLATFORM BUILDING (1931) Exterior: A rectangular dark face brick platform building of standard stretcher bond brickwork, of 5 bays length (note most platform buildings on this line are 5 bays), with the bays defined by simple brick engaged piers. The building has a brick stepped parapet at the east end only. The roof is gabled at the east end against the parapet at this end, is hipped over awnings to north and south which are an integral part of the roof form, and is hipped at the western end. Roof cladding is corrugated steel. The stepped parapet at the east end features a projecting moulded brick capping course and 3 vertical lines of projecting decorative brickwork, as well as a pair of rectangular timber louvred vents. The original plan had a hipped roof wrapped around a stepped parapet at the western end (similar to that at Bexley North). The roof was originally clad with corrugated fibro asbestos sheeting with terracotta ridge capping. This has been replaced with a corrugated steel roof with a fully hipped end, and it is presumed that (as at Padstow) the original stepped parapet at the end elevation has been demolished. One window has been bricked up. There are timber framed fixed obscure glass windows- the windows are modern, the timber frames original. There are modern timber flush doors. There are bullnosed brick sills to windows, shallow brick arches above doors and windows, stop chamfered brickwork to door and window openings. Windows are timber-framed double-hung, some with original 6-paned top sashes, or small timber framed windows with frameless glass or glass louvres. Original door openings have grey terrazzo thresholds. There are modern fibre cement sheet ceilings to the awnings. There is an aluminium framed glazed panel to the ticket window at the entry end of the platform. An early ticket window was restored in 2017 with original timber joinery, glass panels, brass coin tray and brass fixtures. Interior: The building interior (following extension in 1950) comprised a combined booking/parcels office (now also the Station Master's room), ladies toilets, waiting room and men's toilets. The interior fitout has been refurbished in 1998 and again in 2004. PLATFORM (1931) One island platform, asphalt surface, original brick faces. The platform at Beverly Hills is unique on the line by having the’ Down’ side straight and the ’Up‘ side curved. Platform 1 features an original maroon fluted bubbler, in working condition. STAIRS, LIFT AND PLATFORM CANOPY (2007) A platform canopy structure on steel posts with concrete bases extends from the entry steps at the western end of the platform to the western end of the platform building. A modern lift, stairs and canopies over the stairs. KING GEORGES ROAD OVERBRIDGE (1931) Original jack arched bridge with modern concrete girders. Original brick abutments and central brick pier remain. Span reconstruction c. 1960s. During refresh works, dated initials of one of workers/builders were found within four separate bricks in the overbridge pier: ‘CL 1931’ and three stating ‘CL’. MOVABLE NSW Railway heritage listed sites contain significant collections of stored movable railway heritage, including furniture, signs, operational objects, ex-booking office and ticketing objects, paper records, clocks, memorabilia, indicator boards and artwork. Individually, these objects are important components of the history of each site. Together, they form a large and diverse collection of movable objects across the NSW rail network. Sydney Trains maintains a database of movable heritage. For up-to-date information on all movable heritage items at this site, contact the Sydney Trains heritage team. Key items at this station include but are not limited to: Cast Iron Safe
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Platform Building (1931): good Platform (1931): good King Georges Road Overbridge (1931): good Stairs, lift and platform Canopy (2007): very good
	Date condition updated:30 Mar 09
Modifications and dates:	1948: line duplicated. 1950: Extension to platform building to create a combined booking and parcels office, matching brickwork. c.1960s: Span reconstruction to 1931 King Georges Road overbridge. 1998: interior fitout alterations to 1931 platform building 2004-2007: Interior fitout alterations to 1931 platform building. New stairs, canopies and lift. N.d: The platform building has been re-roofed in corrugated steel (roofing originally fibro asbestos corrugated sheeting with terracotta ridge capping) and its east end stepped parapet has been demolished. A number of window openings have been bricked up. New timber flush doors. Modern ticket window. 2010: Toilet refurbished to make accessible 2010: Platform resurfacing (asphalt) 2016: Refresh works including restoration of ticketing window, one window, and works to reveal builder/worker initials on overbridge pier. 2019: Installation of structural anchors - recessed and patched with mortar


Current use:	Railway Station
Former use:	Nil

History

Historical notes:

The first European settlement in the area was the establishment of a farm known as "Dumbleton" in the 1830s. The area south of the railway line was part of John Townson's 250 acre grant of 1810. The area remained semi-rural until the construction of the East Hills line and the railway station.

The main impetus for the construction of the East Hills line was from the real estate industry, which wanted to develop the area where the line was proposed. However construction of the line was delayed, and it became an unemployment relief project during the course of its construction due to the onset of the Great Depression.

"The Public Works Committee recommended the line to State Parliament in August, 1924, expecting a small operating profit and opening up good building land. The debate on the Bill to construct the line took only 15 minutes after it was introduced at 5.12am on 17 December 1924, and the Governors assent given on 23 December, but no funds were provided. Just before the State elections in 1927, the Premier, Jack Lang, performed the 'Turning of the First Sod' ceremony at Padstow on 3rd September 1927, but he lost the election. However, the new non-labour government in April 1928, instructed the Railways Commissioners to commence work on the line." (from www.canterbury.nsw.gov.au).

Jack Lang was Premier for two periods: the first from June 1925 to October 1927, the second period (during the Depression) from October 1930 to May 1932. Jack Lang was therefore again Premier when he officially opened the East Hills line at Padstow Railway Station in 1931, with the section as far as Kingsgrove being a double track electrified line.

All platform buildings on the East Hills line were built to the same general design and plan, which was revised after initial planning to include a booking office, Station Master’s office and parcels office. The platform at Beverly Hills is unique on the line by having the’ Down’ side straight and the ’Up‘ side curved.

The line was electrified from Kingsgrove in 1939, duplicated in 1948, and in 1987 the East Hills terminus was connected to the Main Southern Line at Glenfield Junction. Dumbleton was renamed Beverly Hills in 1940, and the railway station was also renamed.

In the post war period of the 1940s and 1950s migrant hostels and housing commission estates were developed in suburbs along the line.

Although the original terminus building at East Hills Station was demolished in 1987, the remainder of the East Hills Line from Turrella to Panania is the only line in Sydney with all platform buildings extant from its original construction phase (though some have been altered).

In 2007 a lift to the platform was built along with steel awning that covered the stairs and extended to the building from street level. The station has the distinction of being one of the last in Sydney to sell ’Edmondson’ card type tickets.

Construction work is currently underway (2009) to upgrade the East Hills line generally following quadruplification of the line.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impacts of railways on urban form-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Beverly Hills Railway Station is of historical significance as part of the East Hills line, a major Depression period public work undertaken under the controversial Premiership of Jack Lang, and through its relationship to the development of the suburb of Beverly Hills and the broader East Hills region. The austere design of the platform building is reflective of the completion of the East Hills line as a Depression period unemployment relief works project.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Beverly Hills Railway Station platform building is of aesthetic significance as an example of a small Inter-War period suburban railway station platform building matching other East Hills line platform buildings in design and style. The building is very austere in style, with Inter-War Art Deco style touches and is competently executed, exhibiting fine workmanship in its brickwork. The building is noted for its use of monochromatic brickwork, one extant stepped parapet, irregular fenestration and engaged piers.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The place has the potential to contribute to the local community's sense of place, and can provide a connection to the local community's past.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Beverly Hills Railway Station is of research significance for its ability to demonstrate design and construction techniques of the Depression period (early 1930s). The building provides insights into NSW Railways experimentation with styles of architecture and adaptation to Depression period economic conditions.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Beverly Hills Railway Station platform building is not rare, as it is part of a group of 10 similar to identical Inter-War suburban railway buildings completed in 1931 between Turrella and East Hills.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Beverly Hills Railway Station is a representative example of an East Hills line railway station, with the platform intact and platform building extant but altered, however with modern platform access structures.
Integrity/Intactness:	The platform building has retained a moderate degree of integrity externally, however one of its parapets has been demolished and some openings bricked up. The platform entry arrangements and interior of the platform building have also been modernised 2004-2007. The King Georges Road overbridge is also considerably altered. This is one of the least intact of the East Hills line stations (with a similar level of alteration to Padstow).
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:

1. Conservation principles: Conserve cultural heritage significance and minimise impacts on heritage values and fabric in accordance with the ‘Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance’. 2. Specialist advice: Seek advice from a qualified heritage specialist during all phases of a proposed project from feasibility, concept and option planning stage; detailed design; heritage approval and assessment; through to construction and finalisation. 3. Documentation: Prepare a Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) to assess, minimise and prevent heritage impacts as part of the assessment and approval phase of a project. Prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) prior to proposing major works (such as new additions, change of use or proposed demolition) at all places of State significance and all complex sites of Local significance. 4. Maintenance and repair: Undertake annual inspections and proactive routine maintenance works to conserve heritage fabric in accordance with the ‘Minimum Standards of Maintenance & Repair’. 5. Movable heritage: Retain in situ and care for historic contents, fixtures, fittings, equipment and objects which contribute to cultural heritage significance. Return or reinstate missing features or relocated items where opportunities arise. 6. Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage: Consider all aspects of potential heritage significance as part of assessing and minimising potential impacts, including Aboriginal, archaeology and natural heritage. 7. Unidentified heritage items: Heritage inventory sheets do not describe or capture all contributory heritage items within an identified curtilage (such as minor buildings, structures, archaeology, landscape elements, movable heritage and significant interiors and finishes). Ensure heritage advice is sought on all proposed changes within a curtilage to conserve heritage significance. 8. Recording and register update: Record changes at heritage places through adequate project records and archival photography. Notify all changes to the Section 170 Heritage & Conservation Register administrator upon project completion.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register	SRA s.170 Register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Guidelines used
State Rail Authority Heritage Register Study	1999	SRA120	State Rail Authority	No
Interwar Station Buildings: Analysis and Significance	2001		Andrea Humphreys and Donald Ellsmore	No
S170 Heritage & Conservation Register Update	2009		Paul Davies Pty Ltd	Yes
S170 Heritage & Conservation Register Update	2009		Paul Davies Pty Ltd	Yes
Heritage Platforms Conservation Management Strategy	2015		Australian Museum Consulting	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	David Sheedy	2009	Historical Research for RailCorp S170 Register Update
Written	Humphries A & Elsmore D	2002	Inter-war Station Buildings

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

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4801120

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