Toomevara Lane Chinese Market Gardens

Item details


Name of item:	Toomevara Lane Chinese Market Gardens
Other name/s:	Rockdale Market gardens, Chinese Market Gardens
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Farming and Grazing
Category:	Market Garden
Location:	Lat: -33.9710886642 Long: 151.1421550760
Primary address:	Toomevara Lane, Kogarah, NSW 2217
Parish:	St George
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Bayside
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	5		DP	568192
LOT	1		DP	723897

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Toomevara Lane	Kogarah	Bayside	St George	Cumberland	Primary Address
Scott Lane	Kogarah	Bayside	St George	Cumberland	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Department of Planning and Environment	State Government
Department of Planning and Environment	State Government

Statement of significance:


	The three market garden properties are of State significance for a number of reasons, but their primary importance is their continuous use for market gardening since at least the 1850s. This has resulted in the creation of a landscape that bears evidence of continuous work and the marketing of the changes that have taken place in the market gardening industry in that time. Evidence of this is present in built fabric, changes in ethnicity of occupants and the complexity of infrastructure. Their rarity has been further enhanced by ongoing changes to surrounding environments including urban re-development that absorbed the majority of surviving market gardens in the mid and late 20th century. They are rare survivors of the mid 19th century use of the area for market gardening. Outwardly the market gardens are a timeless scene with little intrusion by modern technology, which creates a semblance of their former appearance. They are representative of market gardens throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Their appearance and contribution to their settings is significant as a reminder of the area's long use for market gardening. The landscapes are strongly patterned, aesthetically pleasing and provide a transition between urban development and the renaturalised areas of the Botany lowlands. The West Botany Street Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only few surviving 19th century market gardens, in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices, in the Sydney metropolitan region. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century. The site is of further significance as containing the only surviving 19th century market gardener's packing shed in the Sydney metropolitan region. The Toomevara Lane Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only few surviving 19th century market gardens, in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices, in the Sydney metropolitan region. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century. The site is of further significance as containing one of five surviving 19th century market gardener's cottages in the Sydney metropolitan region and one of only four such cottages still attached to operating market gardens. The Occupation Road Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only few surviving 19th century market gardens, in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices, in the Sydney metropolitan region. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century. The site is of further significance as containing three of five surviving 19th century market gardener's cottages in the Sydney metropolitan region and the only such cottages still attached to working market gardens. Toomevara Lane: The Toomevara Lane Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only five surviving market gardens in the Sydney metropolitan region in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century market gardener's cottages in the Sydney metropolitan region and one of only four such cottages still attached to operating market gardens. The property is of State significance for its continuous use as a market garden since the land was first alienated for that purpose in the 1860s. It retains a strongly functional landscape reflecting both the long history of market gardening and operation that is typical of modern farming methods. The current use of the place is consistent with its significance and contributing to the continuity of use of the property. The scale of the property, the working largely by hand, the 'making do' and recycling of fabric and general air of under-resourced functionality are essential aspects of the property's significance. Modern intrusions, notably motor cars and electricity, are acceptable changes that have been adopted as opportunity has risen. The Toomevara Lane Market Garden has some local significance for its associations, notably - Peter Herrmann and his family, who were prominent market gardeners in Sydney in the mid to late 19th century and amongst the first German immigrants to take up market gardening of Sydney - Peter Henry Wright, who operated the market garden from 1875-1890, one of the longest single ownership tenures in market gardening at the time. - James O'Meara and the O'Meara family who owned the site from 1899 to 1960, the longest period of ownership in the site's history - John Wilson (the original grantee) and John Hart, his solicitor, who started the market garden in 1866. Bordering wetland is of local significance as fish and bird breeding habitat. Immediate surrounding development and parkland diminishes the aesthetic and evocative landscape character that the other properties retain. The neighbouring land uses provide management challenges through trespass and noise that compromise the sensory experience. Occupation Road: The Occupation Road Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only five surviving market gardens in the Sydney metropolitan region, in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century. The site is of further significance as containing three of five surviving 19th century market gardener's cottages in the Sydney metropolitan region and the only such cottages still attached to working market gardens. The Occupation Road market gardens are of sufficient scale and bordered by undeveloped lands to provide vistas of market gardening activity of high integrity with few visual intrusions to compromise a picture that has existed for 150 years. The effect is heightened by other sensory stimulation such as the aroma of fresh cut herbs, fertiliser and farm noises. The patterning of four lots, with major plots, and subsidiary beds divided by a hierarchy of drainage channels provides a strong visual landscape. The patterning at various scales and the mosaic of alternating crops results in both a pleasing effect and demonstration of the process of market gardening. The current use of the place is consistent with its significance and contributing to the continuity of use of the property. The scale of the property, the working largely by hand, the 'making do' and recycling of fabric and general air of under-resourced functionality are essential aspects of the property's significance. Modern intrusions, notably motor cars and electricity, are acceptable changes that have been adopted as opportunity has risen. The Occupation Road Market Garden has some local significance for its associations, notably - Irish and Cornish market gardeners in the mid-19th century - William Goode, the first owner to also work as a market gardener and reside on the site. Goode is likely to have been responsible for erecting at least the cottages on the site - Hop Lee, Sun On Lee and Sun Shing Wah Chinese market gardeners of the early 20th century - the Tasker family, who owned and operated Lots 2,3 & 4 from 1932 until 1968. The Tasker family were amongst the last German immigrants to take up market gardening in the Rockdale area - John Stirling, who purchased the gardens in 1846 and continued to operate them until 1851 - The Metropolitan Sewerage, Drainage Board, who continued to operate the gardens throughout the 1930s and 1940s, as part of the final stages of operation of the Botany-Rockdale sewage farm West Botany Street: The West Botany Street Market Gardens are of State significance as one of only five surviving market gardens in the Sydney metropolitan region, in largely their original form and still employing traditional cultivation practices. The site is of significance for its association with the Chinese, German, Irish and Cornish communities and for its demonstration of a continuing pattern of land usage since the mid-19th century. The site is of further significance as containing the only surviving 19th century market gardener's packing shed in the Sydney metropolitan region. The property is of State significance for its continuous use as a market garden since the land was first alienated for that purpose in 1840. It retains a strongly functional landscape reflecting both the long history of market gardening and operation that is typical of modern farming methods. There are few visual intrusions that detract from the sense of an authentically earlier setting. The effect is heightened by other sensory stimulation such as the aroma of fresh cut herbs, fertiliser and farm noises. The West Botany Street Market Garden has particular significance for its 19th century timber packing shed. This building is considered to be extremely rare and of exceptionally high significance within NSW. The current use of the place is consistent with its significance and contributing to the continuity of use of the property. The scale of the property, the working largely by hand, the 'making do' and recycling of fabric and general air of under-resourced functionality are essential aspects of the property's significance. Modern intrusions, notably motor cars and electricity, are acceptable changes that have been adopted as opportunity has arisen. The property has some local significance for its associations, notably - the Chinese community and particularly Chinese immigrants from the late 19th century - William Beehag, one of the first to take up large scale market gardening in the Botany district and an early pioneer of the district, who operated the gardens from 1849 to 1894 - the McKern family, who continued to own and operate the market gardens from 1894 to 1962. The regenerated wetland is part of a larger coastal estuary swamp forest complex, and a bird breeding habitat, that is recognised through statutory determination as a threatened ecological community. However, it has resulted in the loss of evidence of former market garden beds, and may be seen to reduce the significance of the property as an intact cultural landscape.
	Date significance updated: 27 Oct 08
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Physical description:	A remnant market garden with associated asbestos cement building and corrugated iron outbuildings. The building sits on brick piers and has a gabled corrugated iron roof. The associated corrugated iron sheds are in a reasonable condition. The garden is divided into small strips, each of which has a different type of produce under cultivation. The site is surrounded by housing and open space/playing fields.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The site consists of a market garden, under production, and an associated asbestos cement building, in reasonable repair. The site has some archaeological potential associated with its use as a market garden.
	Date condition updated:26 Mar 99
Further information:	Very little historical data is available on the site, making any assessment of its significance difficult. Further investigation of this site, along with the Kyeemagh and Arncliffe Market Gardens, is recommended prior to any future work taking place on the site.


Current use:	Market Garden
Former use:	Aboriginal land

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

Toomevara Lane Chinese Market Gardens:
The site demonstrates prolonged and continuous use as a market garden. Market gardens such as this played an important role in food production for the local and regional community, particularly during the Great Depression and Post and Inter-War periods. For much of the Great Depression, Chinese market gardens were the only source of fresh vegetables for urban dwelling Australians.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local 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.	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.	Changing the environment-
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.	Chinese agricultural practises-
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.	Chinese commercial practises-
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	Private 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	Market gardening-
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 - sheds, crop storage-
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	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
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	Creating environments evocative of the 'old country'-
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 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 demonstrating styles in landscape design-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
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.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
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	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
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 urban 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-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working with plants-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working independently on the land-
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.	Landscaping - 20th century post WW2-
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-

Assessment of significance


Integrity/Intactness:	In the context of an area which has been under cultivation for a century, the landscape appears to be intact. The associated buildings also appear to be intact but are generally in poor condition.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:


	Continue use as market gardens. This site, along with the Kyeemagh Market Garden site needs a Conservation and Management Plan to assist with guiding future changes. The Conservation Plan should address both built and landscape elements and should incorporate all associated structures.

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Rockdale Market Gardens Conservation Management Plan (Architectural History Services, Dec 2001)	CMP endorsed by Heritage Council 25 July 2002 for a period of five years, expires 25 July 2007.	Jul 25 2002
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		01394	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register			11 Feb 99

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
s.170 Register DUAP	1999		Paul Davies Pty Ltd		Yes
Kogarah Heritage Study Review - Stage 1	1999		Musecape		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Architectural History Services; Spackman and Mossop P'L; Tinslay Consulting Engineers; Patterson Britton and Associates	2002	Rockdale Market Gardens - Conservation Management Plan	View detail
Written	Gaynor, Andrea	2002	'Market Gardens' (entry)	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:	5045754
File number:	H00/00357; H99/00055 [S170]

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