Mayfield

Item details


Name of item:	Mayfield
Other name/s:	Mayfield Homestead - Welcome Reef Dam
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Farming and Grazing
Category:	Farm
Location:	Lat: -35.2017833354 Long: 149.7921300690
Primary address:	Mayfield Road, Lower Boro, NSW 2580
Local govt. area:	Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Batemans Bay

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	13	DP	709322
LOT	1	DP	750036
LOT	27	DP	750036
LOT	31	DP	750036
LOT	32	DP	750036
LOT	117	DP	754892
LOT	118	DP	754892
LOT	12	DP	754892
LOT	120	DP	754892
LOT	35	DP	754892
LOT	36	DP	754892
LOT	43	DP	754892
LOT	6	DP	754892
LOT	63	DP	754892

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Mayfield Road	Lower Boro	Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Water NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	On preliminary visual investigation, Mayfield has a medium level of cultural landscape significance, containing cultural components which evidence past land use practices. These include the original shearing shed and holding pens, the original slab shed, remnant farm machinery, and other elements within the rural landscape such as plough lines and stock circulation tracks. The present homestead is historically valuable as an integral and intact component of the farm building complex, which includes sheds and worker cottages. Potential archaeological remains have been identified, which include granite building relics and fences. It is imperitive that further historical research be undertaken in order to clarify the overall cultural significance of the place so as to facilitate management planning.
	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:	1860-1861
Physical description:	The estate is one of the largest in the area of the dam-site. (c.300 acres (150ha)). The homestead is a weatherboard building, virtually in original condition. Brick rough cast piers with two solid timber posts support the original verandah beam. The roof is corrugated iron with iron guttering. The gable end to the main entry is battened with exposed rafters and sawn timber shingles in orignal condition. The front door is multipaned with Egyptian-type architraves which also surrounds original casement windows. Outbuildings are numerous, generally of timber and corrugated iron. A long drive leads to what could have been an earlier carriage loop surrounded by early plantings. Large, probably original pines denote the proximity of the homestead. Original 1920s weatherboard garages are located at the side of the homestead. Corrugated iron water tanks and also a fibreglass water tank provide water to the house. An early slab hut is located adjacent to the original shearing shed, possibly to store farm equipment. There are two later cottages adjoining the shearing shed. A further weatherboard 1920s house is located adjacent to the original slab shed. Early tractor and shearing equipment is inside the shed. On a remote section of the property, granite ruins adjoin a dead tree.
Modifications and dates:	Most items are in good condition with the exception of the shearing and slab sheds which are poor.


Current use:	Farm, Water Catchment Area
Former use:	Aboriginal land, grazing, farm

History


Historical notes:	Verbal advice states that the property was originally owned by Harry Jenner and Sons of Mayfield Tarago Pty Ltd. The present tenant advised that the original homestead was built in the 1860s and burnt down in 1932.

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.	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-
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	Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
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	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	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-
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.	Accommodating workers in workers' housing-
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.	Housing farming families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Water and drainage-
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.	State 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.	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.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
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 - providing reticulated water-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as aesthetically rare regionally. This item is assessed as historically rare statewide.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	This item is assessed as scientifically representative statewide.
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:

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
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		01365	18 Nov 99
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register		452388

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Sydney Water Heritage Study	1996	452388	Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd	GRAHAM BROOKS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 1 JULY 1996	Yes

References, internet links & images

None

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

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5051475
File number:	452388

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