Study process

This study was commissioned on the basis of a tender from Graeme Butler and Associates which followed a brief contained in tender documents issued by Council. A fixed sum was submitted for the work. The following describes key study phases.

1. Bibliography

Standard and Internet bibliographic searches were made of all relevant works relating to the area, using the National Trust of Australia (Vic), Heritage Victoria files and databases plus the Melbourne University Architects Index and listings from previous studies. This was entered in a computerised database form for ease of later additions. The historical themes used in the previous study were augmented as needed and placed within the Principal Australian Historical Themes framework to allow the steering committee to see identified places as part of the area's history and within a national historical context. These themes also provided the basis for the identification phase of the study.

2. Environmental History

The work was done as added paragraphs to the existing City of Frankston Heritage Study 1995 Environmental History in collaboration with the previous study's co-author, Dr Chris McConville (now a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland).

3. Identification

This stage included a heritage survey of the new parts of the City by the heritage landscape and architecture team members. Database entries for each place provided a brief description and highlighted areas of significance and the historical theme(s) expressed by the place. The place name, location data, assumed age, any known history, main construction materials and the type were listed for each identified place.

A preliminary heritage value was allocated to each place on the basis of the Australian Heritage Commission criteria (see Appendix 4): places having significant evolutionary, historic, rarity, representative, research, aesthetic, technical, creative or social values.

This significance was judged comparatively with other like sites within the locality (such as Langwarrin) or the Region (defined in this study as Frankston City), the State (Victoria) or the Nation (Australia). This preliminary value allowed the steering committee to select places for further examination on the basis of significance to the largest group as a priority.

4. Research Documentation and Evaluation

The fixed tender sum allowed for detailed research of 15-20 places, as selected by the steering committee: the maximum 20 places were researched. Research into each of the selected places generated a footnoted history and statement of significance, augmented by a physical description and any further statement of significance by the appropriate discipline.

5. Conservation Program

Existing City of Frankston conservation policies and other current policies were examined and augmented to account for the special qualities of the areas added to the city.

6. Community Consultation

The study team made themselves at the disposal of the steering committee for any publicity, public meetings or community consultation with emphasis on targeted consultation of knowledgeable groups or individuals and broad dissemination of the study's aims and findings with maximum use of the media and meetings with interested groups. Discussions were had with individual property owners and a general information evening staged at the Carrum Down public hall.