Stonnington Thematic Environmental History
The Stonnington Thematic Environmental History is the first in Victoria to integrate Indigenous, natural and post-settlement history into one publication. It identifies, through key themes, the rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage that illustrates the historic occupation, use, adaptation and development of land in the City of Stonnington since the arrival of Indigenous people.
This in turn promotes a greater understanding of the history of Victoria and Australia as a whole. This history is demonstrated in the City of Stonnington by a wide range of heritage places including buildings and structures, monuments, trees and landscapes, archaeological sites, and places with spiritual or symbolic meaning. The study provides the context for the identification, assessment, ongoing management and preservation of places of local, regional and State cultural heritage significance. As a practical tool, it provides the City of Stonnington with a sound basis to identify, assess and manage places of cultural significance and ensure their protection now and into the future.
The Stonnington Thematic Environmental History identifies and describes the key themes that have influenced patterns of settlement and development in the municipality. Each thematic chapter concludes with a summary of heritage values associated with the theme and provides a list of examples of places that illustrate each theme. To help in understanding the overlap between themes – for example, how transport influences settlement and vice versa – the overall statement of significance is shown on a series of layered maps. A Statement of Significance has been prepared for the municipality as a whole.
The thematic history provides a strategic context for the identification, assessment (particularly in relation to the comparative assessment of places), protection and management of the municipality’s significant cultural and natural heritage places, including recommendations for further work and implementation, enabling the City of Stonnington to undertake further work on its Heritage Strategy as well as to consider planning scheme controls and policy.
The Stonnington Thematic Environmental History achieved a Commendation in the inaugural Heritage category in the Victorian Planning Institute of Australia, Victorian Division Awards 2007.
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