Loxton House

Item details


Name of item:	Loxton House
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Location:	Lat: -32.2614480510 Long: 150.8888089120
Primary address:	142-144 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, NSW 2333
Parish:	Rowan
County:	Durham
Local govt. area:	Muswellbrook
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Wanaruah

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	11221

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
142-144 Bridge Street	Muswellbrook	Muswellbrook	Rowan	Durham	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	Loxton House, built c1838 is a key building in the main street of Muswellbrook. It is a two-storey Colonial-Georgian building which has been claimed to be Muswellbrook’s oldest remaining building.
	Date significance updated: 03 Oct 00
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Construction years:	1838-
Physical description:	The front facade is stone with projecting quoins and an upper verandah supported on fluted timber columns. The side walls are stuccoed brick and the rear wall is painted brick. The rear elevation also has a two-story verandah. The roof is iron over shingles. Joinery is cedar and floors are pit-sawn timber boards. Internally the building retains much of its original cedar joinery including a staircase with carved handrail. (Branch Managers Report to the Heritage Council 19/03/1980)
Modifications and dates:	1980 - restoration/conversion for use as a restaurant in the basement. Shops on the ground floor and offices on the first floor. 1987 - approval granted for repaving of basement courtyard. 1992 - approval granted for repair of timber posts and repainting exterior.


Current use:	Restaurant
Former use:	Residence

History

Historical notes:

In January 1980 Muswellbrook Council requested comments from the Heritage Council regarding proposed renovations of Loxton House.

In March 1980 the Heritage Council recommended that an Interim Conservation Order be placed over the building as it was concerned that full compliance with Ordinance 70 of the Local Government Act would require an unacceptable sacrifice of the architectural integrity of the building. Non-compliance with the relevant provisions would not unduly affect its fire safety.

Following concurrence with the Minister for Local Government with the proposal an Interim Heritage Order was placed over the building on ?????

In recognition of its heritage significance a Permanent Conservation Order was placed over Loxton House on 8 January 1982.

It was transferred to the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	(none)-

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

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

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00185	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former		00185	08 Jan 82	3	0053
State Environmental Planning Policy	Hunter REP 1989		03 Nov 89	107	9350
Register of the National Estate			11 Aug 87

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Muswellbrook Heritage Walk	View detail
Written		1980	Branch Managers Report to the Heritage Council 19/03/1980
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Muswellbrook Heritage Walk	View detail

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045633
File number:	S90/05895 & HC 32411

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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