Macquarie Field House

Item details

Name of item: Macquarie Field House
Other name/s: And the Meehan remains; "Macquariefield", Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Field
Type of item: Landscape
Group/Collection: Farming and Grazing
Category: Farm
Location: Lat: -33.9779385432 Long: 150.8771634480
Primary address: Quarter Sessions Road, Macquarie Fields, NSW 2564
Parish: Minto
County: Cumberland
Local govt. area: Campbelltown
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Tharawal
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT1 DP612265
LOT1 DP828871
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Quarter Sessions RoadMacquarie FieldsCampbelltown MintoCumberlandPrimary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Gentle (Macquarie) Pty LtdPrivate 

Statement of significance:

Macquarie Field House is of state and national heritage significance as one of the finest examples of early Australian residential architecture and a landmark, carefully sited in an intact 19th Century rural cultural landscape.

The house is a fine sandstone Regency dwelling built c.1838-40 by Samuel Terry and represents the final flowering of the Australian colonial country house style, symmetrical in plan, bold in mass and outline, possessing qualities of simplicity, unity and repose, tempered with a refinement of detail and a careful control in the disposition of the various elements in the design.

The property has considerable historical, architectural and archaeological significance as the site of the estate of three well known colonial figures* and for its associations with an early period of colonial history. (*James Meehan, ex-convict who became Deputy Surveyor General and surveyed much of the land south of Sydney between 1810-1820, and then of Samuel Terry, ex-convict, 'Botany Bay millionaire' for his daughter and her husband John Hosking, the first elected Mayor of Sydney).

The complex has regional aesthetic significance as its siting closely relates to the surrounding landscape, being a landmark on a prominent hilltop amidst along undulating ridge of high land, surrounded by mature trees, and commanding expensive views to the south and west. This siting demonstrates the Australian nineteenth century fashion for picturesque country estate development which followed the eighteenth century English landscape tradition, and its corresponding attention to lands ape siting and moulding and the cultivation of a 'prospect'. It also demonstrates the distinctive lifestyle of the early nineteenth century County of Cumberland settler, including their deliberate moulding of the landscape's appearance.

While the detail of the early arcadian style garden has been eroded, the remainder of Meehan's original 1810 land grant, plantings of mature Araucarias, pepper trees, African olives and oleanders and the open rural cultural landscape surrounding the estate are relatively intact today, adding to the significance of the property.

Specific remains identified on site to date include Meehan's Farm House or 'Castle'(1806-10), the Barn which was reputedly built or supervised by Government Architect Francis Greenway, of significance for its interesting architectural form and possible early use as a fortified barn and associated relics such as a wall along the southern side of the house, an early rubbish dump, two early wells, a possible early school house, possible remains of the flour mill and water race erected on the Bunbury Curran Creek. (Draft Statement of Significance, Jan 1999, Heritage Office)

The garden has largely been re-formed and has lost its detail but its importance is its wider landscape quality, the overall effect of its impressive dense, rich planting on its dominant hill-top site. It is an important link in the chain of 'Cowpasture' gardens - the gardens of the large mid 19th century homesteads of the county of Cumberland distinctively planted with olives, oleanders, araucarias etc. which still punctuate the landscape of the outer south-western Sydney region. The garden alcove, although in ruins, is a rare example in the colony of substantial garden architecture (James Broadbent for National Trust of Australia, 1981)

Macquarie Fields House is of exceptional value as a substantial mid-19th century homestead, prominently sited, with important remnant plantings, layout and archaeological features including a rare example of an exedran garden alcove (below the house on the eastern slope capitalising on the wide views, built c1870s and on the site of an even earlier structure).

The Group has considerable value in the local area as a major visual and historical reference point. A contributing factor to this prominence is the juxtaposition of the homestead and landmark vegetation to the open rural landscape surrounding them.

The Group has value for its archaeological research potential and strong associations with various individuals prominent in the 19th century. (Britton, G. & Morris, C., 2000)
Date significance updated: 16 May 16
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: James Meehan (first house, barn); James Hume (attrib: second, current house)
Builder/Maker: James Meehan (first house); Mr Burns (woodwork in second, current house)
Construction years: 1810-1843
Physical description: Setting:
The current SHR curtilage area, plus land proposed in the application to be community open space, totals approximately 28.25ha.
Macquarie Field House is the core of a remnant colonial farm and an important and rare surviving example of a substantial mid-19th century colonial farm estate on the Cumberland Plain in open, cleared land. It comprises of a homestead group, garden and outbuildings set on top of an eastern facing ridge, flanked by two small vallies to north and south. The Southern valley contains a recent golf course residential estate, Macquarie Links Estate. The northern valley contains home paddocks once part of the farm, with some scattered African olive trees along fence lines. Additional paddocks form part of different land ownerships, including to the north and north-east, the former Glenfield Agricultural Research Station and Hurlstone Agricultural High School.

The ridge is elevated giving the homestead (once) expansive views to the north, east and south-east and (once) also to the west. The Hume Highway passes close by to the west, now screened by sound walls. Macquarie Fields House's hilltop site has panoramic views available for an arc of about 270 degrees, from the northwest to southwest.

The house's hilltop twin hoop pine tree plantings are (and formerly the house also was) a prominent landmark in the district, due to their siting on a prominent spur close to the highest ridgeline, as viewed from the Great Southern Railway line, and higher parts of Glenfield, Macquarie Fields and Ingleburn.

Garden and Outbuildings:
The homestead sits on the eastern tip of the elevated ridge - almost a peninsula in landform. To its west are a number of farm outbuildings, some 19th century and some 20th century. A large ruin of a colonial brick structure, possibly an agricultural store building or barn, lies to the house's south-west.

The garden is neglected for much of the late 20th century but is in essence a mid 19th century hill-top garden. Its detail has been almost totally destroyed however, its planting of 2 very large hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii), African olives (Olea europaea var. Africana) and two species of pepper trees, Brazilian (Schinus molle var. areira) and Chilean (S.terebinthifolia) survives forming a prominent landmark of dense closely textured plantation on a dominant hill-top site.

Two impressive sets of entrance gates and piers (one set a re-construction) open onto the drive, now brick paved, which leads to the house sited on a level hill-top plateau overlooking the village of Macquarie Fields to the east. The drive, originally encircling the house, now terminates in a paved car park, the rest being grassed over.

The plateau and original drive are ringed with African olives and pepper trees. More olives, the remnants of hedges and also self-sown, clothe the sides of the hill.

Built into the hillside, directly below the front of the house (i.e. east) is an elliptical, apsidal, restored brick alcove or belvedere for a garden seat, now in ruins. A roof has been recently built to protect this structure.

House:
The house is essentially two storied, being raised above extensive cellars, accessed by a staircase internally on its west. The front door faces east, the rear door west, with a central corridor and rooms arrayed to north and south.

A bay window on the house's northern side allows clear views into the northern valley with its home paddocks.
Modifications and dates: 1809: initial grant of 110 acres (44ha) to Meehan
1814-16: barn constructed
1820: expanded to 2750 acres (500 acres of which were cleared)
1821: adaptation for use as private school - house became a dormitory and matron's quarters
1826: estate expanded to 2400 acres (960ha)(Jack (2015)says 2020 acres

1841-3: consrtuction of second (current) homestead by James Hume
1855-8: addition of portico to front verandah; addition of garden alcove into slope east of house's front, installation of grand driveway close to Liverpool Road
by 1860: grand double gates to the estate entrance from the Liverpool Road

1877: estate shrank to 1660 acres (664ha)

1939: house (first house) described as 'in ruins', scheduled for demolition after estate came into government hands in 1940s
1944: approximately 412 acres were in Government ownership
1958: First house demolished with assistance of army and bulldozers, original bricks pushed into the cellar, at least one nearby well and probably down the slope adjacent
1962: conservation works; removal of portico off front verandah
The current SHR curtilage area, plus land proposed in the application to be community open space, totals approximately 28.25ha.

1991 archaeological investigation (Noel Bell Ridley Smith - investigating design of a training and conference centre).
Further information: Urgent stablisation ("emergency" intervention) is required in relation to:
- the summer house;
- the barn/granary/convict barracks;
- the main entry gates and associated fencing;

Short term intervention is required in relation to:
- the sandstone plinths at front and rear of the house;
- the curved stone plinth adjacent to the summer house;
- removal of fill from the rectangular water storage tank;
- identification of all footings from the period of James Meehan's occupation of the site;

"Emergency" intervention is considered necessary to ensure the survival of the decaying pepper tree mentioned above

DEM, 10/2004)
Current use: residence
Former use: Aboriginal land, grazing / farmland, farm residence, private school

History

Historical notes: An initial 1809 grant of 110 acres (44ha) to James Meehan had expanded to 2750 acres (500 acres of which were cleared) by 1820, 2400 acres (960ha) in 1826, 1660 acres (664ha) in 1877, approximately 412 acres were in Government ownership by 1944, the remaining area of open space today is not stated nor analysed. The current SHR curtilage area, plus land proposed in the application to be community open space, totals approximately 28.25ha (Devine, 2011).

Meehan (1774-1826) was a middle-class Catholic Irishman whose flirtation with the Society of United Irishmen in 1796-8 led to his conviction as a member of a proscribed organisation, although he did not take part in the actual uprising (the 'Irish Rebellion') of 1798. As a result the 25 year old school teachers and surveyor arrived in Sydney in February 1800 on the convict ship 'Friendship' to serve a life sentence. Because of his valuable experience as a surveyor in Ireland, Meehan was soon assigned to the Surveyor-General of the colony, at first Augustus Alt, but after 1801, Charles Grimes. Meehan was the only one of four assistant surveyors with qualifications, so from the start his competence and diligence earned him uncommon freedoms and by 1803 he had done survey work not only on Sydney's Cumberland Plain but as far afield as the Hunter, Port Phillip and Van Diemen's Land. In 1805 he received a conditional pardon and was acting as chief surveyor of NSW in Grimes' absence. Meehan had, while still a convict, received a land grant of 100 acres in the Field of Mars in 1803 (Jack, 2015, 1).

By 1802 he had been on two major expeditions and, by 1806, had been conditionally pardoned. He continued to work on departmental duties, and, from difficult beginnings,, a remarkable rose to be an important colonial surveyor, explorer and settler, surveying and mapping large areas of the country. The early towns of Sydney, Parramatta, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Hobart were all explored, laid out and measured by Meehan. A statue of him was commissioned by the Land & Property Management Authority to commemorate Meehan's close collaboration with NSW Public Works Heritage Services and the Government Architect's Office. This new statue of Meehan was placed on the south-east corner of the former Lands Department Building in 11/2010 to commemorate Meehan's achievements (Devine, 2011).

In 1806 Meehan began living with English convict, Ruth Goodaire, in a leased town house. Their son Thomas was born in 1808 and daughter Mary in 1810. While senior surveyor, Meehan received 130 acres in Bankstown in 1808 and in June and August 1809 two grants in Minto totalling 450 acres straddling Bunbury Curran Creek. He gave up his FIeld of Mars grant, but when Governor Macquarie arrived in 1810 and regularised most of the grants made in the difficult preceding years, Meehan's Minto holdings were increased by the addition of several adjacent farms, surrendered by their previous grantees, making an integrated estate of 1140 acres in 1810. It was a provision of Macquarie's grant and regrant of 1810 that Meehan must cultivate 75 acres at Minto by 1815 and, although there are few details, there is no doubt that Meehan developed the estate while continuing as a busy government surveyor until 1822. He acquired more adjacent land and in October 1816 Macquarie issued a further consolidating grant for a 'Macquariefield' which now embraced 2020 acres (ibid, 2015, 2).

It is not known how soon (after 1809) Meehan began to erect substantial buildings. Huts would, however, have been required for stockmen from the beginning and certainly by 1814 when he was supplying the government with 4000 pounds of meat, the same as his neighbours Charles Throsby and William Redfern. In the first years much of the acreage remained uncleared and uncultivated. There was certainly some kind of accommodation on the estate by 1811, when the Governor directed people with promises of land in Airds to 'attend at Mr Meehan's Farm on the Bunbury Curran Creek' to meet the surveyor. The brick barn is plausibly dated to between 1814-1816. The question is open whether the main house was built before or after the barn and whether the house was built in stages. At all events, it was complete when Rev. Thomas Reddell converted it into a school in 1821 (ibid, 2015, 5).

There was more consistent direct oversight in 1818 and 1819 when Meehan was spending more time there than at his Sydney house. But Macquarie then insisted that his senior surveyor be resident in Sydney. Meehan complied and at the end of 1820 agreed to lease the house and garden to the governor for use by the Rev. Thomas Reddall as a private school for 18 months. During this time Governor Macquarie's son Lachlan attended this school (ibid, 2015, 5). When Meehan returned to Macquariefield in 1822 land cleared for crops amounted to only 190 acres, most of which was used for wheat, the remaining 40 acres for maize. Grazing land supported 16 horses, 450 cattle, 1200 sheep and 25 pigs. He immediately sought the help of convict clearing gangs and between June 1822 and June 1823 70 more acres were cleared. Meehan used Macquariefield primarily for stock and only secondarily for cropping (ibid, 2015, 3).

The first house built on this site, 'Meehan's Castle', built c1810 (Jack, 2015 notes that Meehan's biographer (Dawson) plausibly speculates that the house was completed by 1818, just before Meehan began to spend more time there), was a two storey structure of even greater prominence on the then bare hill than the later (and remaining) house which was built in the 1840s. Meehan chose its site because it was the only strategic outcrop in the region, effectively being a naturally fortified rampart with panoramic views. This was important for both security and observation, in Sydney's first expansion to the southwest in a time of Aboriginal attacks and general unrest. The siting shows Meehan's skill in planning the settlement of New South Wales (ibid, 2011).

Meehan built a second complex, including an 11-room farmhouse, dairy and an 8-stall stable, at some distance to the north of his own house, more accessible to Bunbury Curran Creek. This ancillary farmhouse is probably the two-storey building shown by artist Frederick Terry (1850s-60s watercolour panorama) on the extreme right of his painting (ibid, 2015, 4). Although the barn on the main site has been claimed as a convict barracks, the labourers on Meehan's estate are much more likely to have been accommodated in the 11-room farmhouse. The buildings of this second group do not seem to have survived and their archaeological potential is unknown (ibid, 2015, 4).

In 1822 Meehan retired from his position as Deputy Surveyor-General and for the first time became a full-time farmer. He was in some financial stress, partly because the government had paid only the first installment of rent for Reddall's use of Macquariefield as a school and there were arrears in salary payments for his last months in office. Accordingly in 1823 he mortgaged the property to Samuel Terry for over 1300 pounds. Terry was the classic instance of a successful convict. By hard work, shrewdness and ruthless determination he had become a merchant and land dealer of heroic proportions. He is known as 'the Botany Bay Rothschild' (ibid, 2015, 6).

Meehan died in April 1826 (ibid, 2015, 3). On his death, all his real estate passed to his only son, Thomas. In 1829, two years after probate had been granted, Terry complained that no payment had yet been made to him and that Thomas was 'dispensing and otherwise making away with the personal property of his late Father... to the great injury of the Creditors'. Terry was successful in obtaining letters of administration and appointed W.C. Wentworth as proctor to protect his interests. Terry then sued Thomas Meehan for 5000 pounds and on 25/1/1831 Thomas transferred the 2020 acres of Macquariefield to the mortgagee. The normal spelling (of its name) then changed to 'Macquarie Field'. Terry himself never lived at Macquarie FIeld: it was only one of a string of major pastoral properties he acquired. His preferred residence was Box Hill House on the Windsor Road. When Samuel died in 1838, his huge estate was divided among his children and step-children (ibid, 2015, 6).

The five or six buildings on the estate advertised for sale in April 1829 were substantial. Only one (the barn) now survives above ground, but the precise location of the principal residence can be fixed because of historic images and material remains, while the general location of others is known from an abortive subdivision in July 1829 (ibid, 2015, 3).

Under Samuel Terry's will, his youngest child, Mrs Martha Foxlowe Hosking, born in 1811, received Macquarie Field, town houses in Pitt Street and 10,000 pounds. She also inherited a share in the residual estate; and when her brother Edward died childless in 1838, she inherited much of his wealth also. Her father was very careful to ensure that Martha held Macquarie Field in her own right and that the profits from the estate remained for 'her sole and separate use'. She had married John Hosking in 1829, son of a prominent school teacher. After six years in Britain, Hosking returned to Sydney in 1825 as an ambitious businessman. In partnership with John Terry Hughes, Martha's cousin, he had a flamboyant career as a merchant, land dealer and pastoralist. He was elected Sydney's first Lord Mayor in 1842 and considered standing for the Legislative Council (ibid, 2015, 6).

The firm of Hughes and Hosking however, over-reached itself and went insolvent in 1843-45. The 1845 Insolvency Court proceedings reveal much about the building of the second Macquarie Field house. 'A cottage was commenced about 2 years before my sequestration (1841) - and I think it was not finally completed until after my sequestration (1843). In consideration of my receiving 10,000 pounds in cash from Mr Terry's will - a legacy to Mrs Hosking, and other moneys which came to my hands in consequence of the death of her brother, I agreed with Mrs Hosking that I should build the cottage, which has cost, with other improvements, about 2000 ponds - it may be more'. Hosking goes out of his way (in giving evidence) to declare that 'No portion of the sum due to Mr Hume (is) for building or for any work at 'Macquarie Field'.' This is a reference to documents elsewhere in the legal exhibits. James Hume had designed and built three houes in Cumberland Street in The Rocks for Hosking in 1843 and two years later was still owed 250 pounds for those services. Hosking's disclaimer in 1845 shows that Hume had also designed Macquarie FIeld House (the second homestead) in 1841 and had supervised its construction over the next two years. Hume had come to Sydney from Scotland in 1835 at the invitation of Alexander Macleay to assist John Verge construct(ing) Elizabeth Bay House, while simultaneously supervising works at St. Andrew's Cathedral. He first appears as an independent architect in 1839 designing the Gothic Presbyterian church in Wollongong. More significant commissions in the early 1840s included Sir Thomas Mitchell's Carthona (Darling Point) and Parkhall (St. Mary's Towers, at Douglas Park), the new Jewish Synagogue and Presbyterian Church in Pitt Street, while Hume was also supervising construction of Burdekin House in Macquarie Street (ibid, 2015, 6-7).

James Hume has not previously appeared as a possible architect for the Hoskings' new house. The only candidate who has hitherto been proposed is Francis Clarke, supported, with caution, by Rachel Roxburgh. Clarke had come to the colony with good English credentials in 1832 and is best-known for his Anglican churches at Richmond and at St. Marys, both built between 1837 and 1841. The only surviving private home tentatively attributed to him, on slender evidence, is Lindesay at Darling Point . Clarke was a friend of the Hoskings, chosen by them in 1842 to be one of two trustees to protect Martha's interests in the Macquarie Field estate. He had by 1836 built a suite of houses in Pitt Street for Samuel Terry that was inherited by Martha in 1838. But evidence in support of Clarke (as architect of Macquarie Field House) is entirely inferential, whereas the words of John Hosking himself, retrieved from a stack of court papers after 170 years, now make it almost certain that the architect of this house was Hume (ibid, 2015, 8).

The present Macquarie Field House was built some 150 metres to the south-east (of Meehan's Castle) in the early 1840s, but the houses co-existed for over a century. Meehan's farmhoue was not demolished until 1958 (ibid, 2015, 5).

The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence...(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

Although Hosking kept horses and carriages at Macquarie FIeld and furnished the cottage, for which he received 3000 pounds from his wife, the couple did not live there in the 1840s. The brand new house was occupied by an overseer, who was a ticket-of-leave man called WIlliam Potter, and there were 12 salaried workmen, probably housed in one or both of Meehan's farmhouses. There was a characteristic range of trades covering the needs of a colonial mixed farm: ploughman, groom, bullock-driver, carter, wheelwright, cook, dairman and gardener. There was a casual burner of stumps on newly-cleared land as well as a casual trencher (ibid, 2015, 9). The Hoskings were using Macquarie FIeld as part of their own estates from at least 1834. Young Nimrod, a stallion bred by Samuel Terry, was serving mares at Macquarie Field in 1839 and 1840 under Hosking's superintendent there, James Marshall. After 1843 there was a turnover of superintendents living in the new house: WIlliam Potter (1844), G. Peacock (1845). The farm was used as a staging post for supplies to more distant stations which engaged the interest of John and Martha Hosking, at Molonglo near Canberra and on the Macintyre River up on the Queensland border. The dairy produced butter for the Sydney market. HOrse-breeding with stallions such as Young Nimrod and Vagabond continued, producing walers for the Indian market in the 1850s. In 1854 Hosking was able to sell off 100 surplus horses as well as a thoroghbred Durham bull. At this time in 1854 the HOskings were living in Vaucluse House, while the Wentworths were away. But in 1855 the Hoskings moved for the first and only time to Macquarie Field and made it their principal residence until 1858. Three significant changes were made to the house in those three years: the addition of the front portico, construction of a garden alcove and installation of a grand driveway close to the Liverpool Road (ibid, 2015, 10).

From 1858 until early 1869, the barn and Meehan's former residence were renovated and adapted to accommodate a boys' boarding school, run by Rev. George Macarthur. The residence became dormitories, with accommodation for th ematron as well as some store rooms (ibid, 2015, 6). Macarthur took over administration of and teaching of boys for (from) the Kings School in this location when it fell into troubled times at its base in Parramatta.

After Macarthur's school moved to The Kings School in Parramatta in 1869, Meehan's house gradually deteriorated, and became more store than residence, as a 1924 E.G.Shaw photograph (ibid, 2015, 6).

Macquarie Field House estate was closely associated with the alignment chosen for the Great Southern Railway Line. The then owner of Macquarie Fields House, John Hoskings Jr, (first Mayor of Sydney) was a member of the Liverpool Committee making recommendations on the route for the new southern railway line in the 1850s. The line to Campbelltown was opened in 1858 and Macquarie Fields formed a significant part of the attractive scenery along the route, described as including elegant cottages and substantial homesteads. In 1862 the line was extended to Menangle, and in 1869 a railway platform (later Ingleburn Station) was opened on the Macquarie Fields estate. As a stimulant to regional development, carrier of pupils to the school on site from 1858- 1869, and commuters since 1858, the views from the railway line are of key importance to the understanding and presentation of this property, and its importance in association with the property, and in determining an appropriate curtilage and defining key views, can not be overlooked.

Macquarie Field House and its associated farmlands have attracted public interest over a long period of time, as is reflected by their inclusion in the original County of Cumberland Planning Scheme of 1951. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) nominated the house in 1964 and classified it on their register in 1974. The Australian Heritage Commission received a nomination in 1977 and listed the house on the Register of the National Estate in 1978. The Commission separately received a nomination in 1981 for the garden, noting its deliberate siting and visual prominence, which led to a further listing in 1991.

In response to concerns in the late 1970s at the prospect of Government disposal, possible subdivision of the land and the house's demise, the then Minister for Planning & Environment placed a permanent conservation order over the house in 1981. This was made over Lot 1, comprising the house and a small area of land comprising the top of the hilltop on which it sits, most of its plantings and a small area of slope to the east.

This lot and PCO boundary were created for sale to Mr David Jamieson, who had leased the house since 1962 and restored it. This also alienated the house protecting it from the activities of the Veterinary Research Station, but maintained all other structures, archaeological sites and land (including the remains of Meehan's Castle demolished by the Army for the Department of Agriculture in 1943) in government ownership. These were left outside Lot 1 and the 1981 PCO, because the land outside Lot 1 was managed by the Department of Agriculture for agricultural purposes (an appropriate setting), and was not considered to be under threat.

When the Department of Agriculture in 1982 notified its intention to move its operations to Camden, and proposals forwarded to redevelop the site (from rural to residential), it was found necessary to extend the PCO boundary to include Meehan's Castle and other relics, in the second, expanded PCO of 1985. This boundary included the land east of the house down to Bunbury Curran Creek, and more of the Hilltop slopes to the northeast and north of the house, including part of the original entrance drive along Quarter Sessions Road, thought to provide a more appropriate rural curtilage.

In response to the Department of Agriculture's decision in 1982 to relocate their operations to Camden and possibly redevelop the site (for residential rather than rural use) the then Department of Environment & Planning adopted a recommendation to retain the land as a non-urban backdrop to the northern urban areas of Campbelltown and to cater for special use services which may require a site in future. In 1985 the area of the permanent conservation order was extended to include outbuildings, key tree plantings, archaeological remains of the earlier house, "Meehan's Castle", the hilltop on which the homestead group is sited and the "visual curtilage" of this rural site.

Campbelltown City Council approved a Local Environmental Plan and a Development Control Plan over the adjoining rural land in 1991, to ensure appropriate rural type uses in any future development, which would respect the heritage significance of the property and its regional role as providing both a landmark and a rural backdrop to adjoining suburbs Glenfield, Macquarie Fields and Ingleburn to the east.

The current SHR curtilage boundary thus reflects concerns in the early 1980s that the Department of Agriculture would relocate, and the land would be subdivided and redeveloped, which in turn could cause damage to plantings, structures, outbuildings, important known archaeological relics, such as the remains of Meehan's Castle and to the rural setting of Macquarie Fields House. The north and south boundaries followed existing fencing lines.

Campbelltown City Council's DCP 63 of 1991 and the Masterplan adopted in line with DCP 63 have further defined areas of visual sensitivity on this land, including two corridors of visual significance through the adjoining valleys and significant landscape features in views from the southwestern freeway, being the highest ridgeline, off which Macquarie Fields House's hilltop branches as a spur.

The Monarch development, Macquarie Links, in construction to the south of Macquarie Fields House's hilltop has compromised the open, rural setting of the place and is considered intrusive. This development has introduced two storey dwellings located both high on the ridge (a DCP 63 identified significant landscape feature) requiring visual screening from the southwestern freeway by earth mounding (further reducing the views available from the ridgeline to the east), close to the Macquarie Fields House hilltop and outbuildings, and on the upper valley slopes, also items of high visual significance as viewed from the railway line, Glenfield, Macquarie Fields and Ingleburn to the east. Despite Macquarie Fields House's dense screen planting close to the homestead reducing the views to this development from the house, this development will continue to erode the visual significance of the setting of Macquarie Fields House as a remnant farm estate, and its associated plantings could also in time further obscure the open views to and from the property.

A Visual Character Study by Cloustons was commissioned by the Department of Urban Affairs & Planning in late 1998 in response to public concern about the adverse impacts of the Macquarie Links development immediately south of Macquarie Fields House, which is highly visible from the southwestern freeway and from the railway line and suburbs to the east. The study noted that part of the proposed housing (in the southeast corner) was within the DCP 63 significant view corridor. While this study was valuable in documenting views and visual impacts from the freeway and in ranking landscape character elements, the Heritage Office had strong concerns about its inadequacy in giving equal weight to addressing the visual impacts of the development from the railway line to the east, in line with the intent of LEP 112 and DCP 63 to retain rural landscape character. The Heritage Office voiced concern that new housing on open valley slopes, a landscape character element ranked in this study as having high visual significance, would have adverse visual impacts on the retention of open rural landscape. The Heritage Office also commented that this open landscape character is of high cultural value as part of the heritage curtilage or setting of Macquarie Fields House.

The Heritage Council decided at its meeting of 19/8/1999 not to grant approval for a community title subdivision comprising 171 residential lots, one heritage protection lot and one community association lot including 9 private accessways, on land known as Macquarie Fields, considering that the development would materially effect the heritage significance of Macquarie Fields House, in part because it required the subdivision of the existing SHR curtilage.

The Heritage Council informed Campbelltown City Council that it considered there should be no further subdivision of the SHR curtilage, that it noted the absence of a conservation management plan for the property, and, at that time, the absence of a heritage impact statement addressing the integrity of Macquarie Fields House as a remnant rural estate including open farmland.

The Heritage Council invited the applicant to prepare a conservation management plan for the whole estate including the house and open lands outside the SHR curtilage, and to submit a heritage impact statement for any future proposal, based on the recommendations of this conservation management plan.

The Heritage Council also commented in relation to impacts of the application outside the SHR curtilage that it considered the land use, scale, density and form of the development proposed did not respect the cultural heritage significance of Macquarie Fields House and its setting.

The Heritage Council recommended that Campbelltown City Council and the applicant undertake further work to review DCP 63 and the adopted masterplan for the land to take into account recent approvals and development (since 1991), the recommendations of a Heritage Council study Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden concerning Macquarie Fields House estate, recommendations of the applicant's 1998 Curtilage Study and appropriate design detail on treatments, colours and materials of any buildings or structures, minimum lot sizes, setbacks required from key elements and greater detail on how the open, rural character of the land can be conserved and enhanced.

At its meeting on 20 Jan 2000 the Heritage Council resolved to defer final resolution on the amended application by Winten Property Group DA G3000 12/98 for a community title subdivision of 168 community title dwellings and community facilities on Lot 4 DP 854870, Lots 1, 3 & 7 DP 828871 and Lot 1 DP 612265 Campbelltown Road and Quarter Sessions Road, Glenfield (Read, Stuart, 2000).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Modification of terrain-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Aboriginal Culture-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Dharawal nation - sites evidencing occupation and ceremonial use-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Demonstrating emancipist's entrepreneurial activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities Farming by emancipated convicts on land grants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples. Irish migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples. English migrants-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements Free Immigrants in the 19th century-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Ancillary structures - wells, cisterns-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Processing wheat and other grains-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Marking the transition from pastoralism to agriculture-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Orcharding-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and countryside of rural charm-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of urban and rural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of food production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of food production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of passive recreation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes used for self reliant recreation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Significant tree(s) providing rural amenity or character-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Significant tree(s) providing rural amenity or character-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them. Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them. Opening Up, 1818-39-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Working for pastoralists-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Pastoral homestead-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Sheep farming for wool-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Livestock structures-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Experimenting with new breeds of stock-
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 Engineering the public railway system-
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. Country Homes-
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. Worker's Dwellings-
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. housing (suburbs)-
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. Gentlemens Villas-
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. Adapted heritage building or structure-
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. Farm homestead-
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. Architectural design-
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. Victorian era residence-
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. early settlement or worker's cottage-
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. Housing public servants and officials-
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. Housing working animals-
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. Housing for farm and station hands-
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. Accommodating students in boarding schools-
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. Housing farming families-
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. Country Villa-
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. Retreats for artists and writers-
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. Housing the elderly-
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. (none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Fencing boundaries - hedging and hedgerows-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (sheep grazing)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (cropping)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Granting Crown lands for private farming-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Post and rail fencing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Naming places (toponymy)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Bounding adminstrative areas-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Expressing lines of early grant allotments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Sub-division of large estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Demonstrating Governor Macquarie's town and landscape planning-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (Cattle grazing)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Surveying by James Meehan-Aboriginal and European; may include sub-divisions, fences, Survey marks etc.
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 Subdivision of rural estates-
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 19th century suburban developments-
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 20th century Suburban Developments-
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 Outlying settlements-
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 Beautifying rural estates-
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 Developing the social life of a rural community-
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 Institutions-
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 Country Villa-
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 Creating landmark structures and places in suburban settings-
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 Cultural Social and religious life-
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 living in the suburbs-
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 living in the country-
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 Suburban Consolidation-
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 Rural Estates-
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 A quiet Rural District-
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 Suburban Expansion-
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 Shaping coastal settlement-
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 Impact of railways on suburban development-
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 Shaping inland settlements-
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 Vernacular hamlets and settlements-
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 Planning manorial villages and systems-
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 Developing towns in response to topography-
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 Developing suburbia-
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 Country Estate-
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 Role of transport in settlement-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Private assignment-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working on the land-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working independently at mining-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working in orchards-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Servants quarters-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working with animals-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Schooling in temporary premises-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Private (independent) schooling-
6. Educating-Educating Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally. Private (religious) schooling-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Colonial government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Officials and the military settlers-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - grants of land for agriculture-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - surveying of land-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Suburban Consolidation-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - facilitating pastoralism-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - facilitating agriculture-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - town and country planning-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Developing cultural institutions and ways of life-National Theme 8
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (early)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Victorian period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - colonial period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Designing landscapes in an exemplary style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Artists, bohemians and intellectuals squat or gathering point-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Edwardian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Country estates - visiting, enjoying-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1788-1850-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ornamental Garden-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a bushland setting-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living on the urban fringe-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in suburbia-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation musical gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Horse riding-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting lookouts and places of natural beauty-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going hunting and shooting-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship Practising Catholicism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship Gentlemen's Villas-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Community volunteering-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Community organisations-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Belonging to an historical society or heritage organisation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Joining together to study and appreciate philosophy-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing local clubs and meeting places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Sport-Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities Golf-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Rev. Thomas Reddell, priest and schoolteacher-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Martha Hoskings (nee Terry), landowner and pastoralist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with James Hume, architect and businessman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with James Meehan, Deputy Surveyor General-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor (later Maj-Gen.) Lachlan Macquarie, 1810-1821-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Rev. George Fairfowl Macarthur, priest and educator-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Hoskings Jr., First Lord Mayor of Sydney,1850s-

Recommended management:

No further subdivsion of estate. List entire remaining estate area (fields) on LEP. Amend SHR boundary and citation to emphasise landscape, not just the house. Prepare a comprehensive CMP for estate (Morris & Britton, 2000).

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Statutory InstrumentList on a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 
Statutory InstrumentNominate for State Heritage Register (SHR) 
Recommended ManagementReview a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act Refer to standard exemptions gazetted 23 October 1998.

Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(1) grazing
(2) pasture improvement
(3) maintenance of existing dams, structures and fences;
(4) eradication of noxious plants and animals;
(5) stock grazing, not requiring substantial clearing of existing vegetation. 		Nov 29 1985
CMP-EndorseConservation Plan submitted for endorsementCMP submitted for endorsement Jul 2 2019
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard Exemptions ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977.

I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette:

1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and

2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule.

The Hon James Griffin MP
Minister for Environment and Heritage
Signed this 2nd day of June 2022.

To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below. 		Jun 17 2022

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0042402 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0042429 Nov 85 161 
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - Revoked 11329 Nov 85   
Local Environmental Plan  18 Jan 91   
Cumberland County Council list of Historic Buildings 1961-67     
Register of the National Estate  21 Mar 78   

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden, NSW20004.21Morris, C., & Britton, G./NSW National Trust (for the Heritage Council of NSW)Colleen Morris and Geoffrey Britton Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenAitken, Richard2002'Villa Garden' (entry) View detail
WrittenAustralian Museum Business Services2010South West Rail Link - Glenfield to Leppington Rail Line: Historic Heritage Impact Assessment
WrittenAustralian Museum Business Services2010South West Rail Link - Glenfield to Leppington Rail Line - Aboriginal Heritage Assessment
WrittenClouston1998Ingleburn Visual Character Study
WrittenConybeare Morrison & Partners2003Appropriate works of restoration of Macquarie Field House
WrittenDEM2004James Meehan Estate Visual Assessment (Macquarie Field House estate)
WrittenDEM2004Statement of environmental effects for proposed subdivision application at James Meehan Estate, Hume Highway, Glenfield
WrittenDEM2001Conservation Managemetn Plan, Macquarie Field House
WrittenDEM2001Visual assessment - Macquarie Field (House)
WrittenDEM2001Statement of Heritage Impact - proposed community title land subdivision, Macquarie Field (House), NSW
WrittenDEM2001Subdivision development application & statement of environmental effects
WrittenDEM2001Proposed amendment ot Campbelltown Development Control Plan no. 63 Master Plan - Macquarie Field House proposed development View detail
WrittenGodden Mackay Logan2004Archaeological Research Design - Macquarie Links, Hotel Access Road, Campbelltown
WrittenGodden Mackay Logan2000Archaeological Assessment - Macquarie Links Estate
WrittenGodden Mackay Logan (with Mayne-Wilson & Associates)1998Macquarie Field House Curtilage Study
WrittenGodden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants2004Archaeological Research Design - Macquarie Links, Hotel Access Road, Campbelltown (Macquarie Field House estate) View detail
WrittenIan Jack Heritage Consulting P/L2015Macquarie Field - Draft History
WrittenMayne-Wilson & Associates Conservation Landscape Architects2001Visual and Heritage Impact Assessment of the proposed extension to the Stage 6 Development at Macquarie Links Estate on Macquarie Field House
WrittenMorris, Colleen2002'Macquarie Fields House' (entry) View detail
WrittenMorris, Colleen; and Britton, Geoffrey20004.21: Macquarie Field House (entry) View detail
WrittenMusecape P/L2000Expert Evidence, proposed residential subdivision north of 'Macquarie Field House', Glenfield
WrittenRead, Stuart for the (then) NSW Heritage Office2000LAND & ENVIRONMENT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES Appeal No. 10331 of 1999 Winten Property Group Applicant v Campbelltown City Council - Statement of Evidence on behalf of the Respondent
WrittenTaylor Brammer Landscape Architects Visual analysis and landscape heritage input (into CMP)

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
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(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5044970
File number: 10/19869; S90/03127; HC 32098

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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