Sauerbier Homestead Conservation Plan - City of Onkaparinga

s a u e r b i e r h o u s e

c o n s e r v a t i o n p l a n

prepared for the

C i t y o f O n k a p a r i n g a

by

h a b i t a b l e p l a c e s

a r c h i t e c t s

February 2001

h a b i t a b l e p l a c e s a r c h i t e c t s

s a u e r b i e r h o u s e c o n s e r v a t i o n p l a n © 2 0 0 1

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Habitable Places would like to thank the following for their generous assistance inproviding information for this study:

Heritage South Australia, Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal AffairsHeritage.

Vanessa Caterall, Noarlunga Local Heritage

Linda McFarlane, Noarlunga Library

Lita Martella

AUTHORSHIP

This conservation plan has been prepared by Habitable Places

for the City of Onkaparinga.

Personnel:

Mr R Woods, Principal, Habitable Places

Ms A Hallett, Habitable Places

Ms P Cameron, Habitable Places



CONTENTSSAUERBIER HOUSE CONSERVATION PLAN

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 11.2 Heritage Status 11.3 The Site 2

2 HISTORY 2.1 Outline History of Port Noarlunga 32.2 Property History 52.3 Property Development 142.4 Listing of the Property 25

3 INTEGRITY 3.1 Sauerbier House 283.2 Site Structures 283.3 Garden 293.4 Locality 293.5 Photographs 30

4 SIGNIFICANCE 4.1 Analysis 344.2 Statement of Significance 354.2 Heritage Assessment 364.4 Policy Recommendations 37

5 CONSERVATION POLICY 5.1 Conservation Objectives 385.2 Development Opportunities 39

6 CONSERVATION STRATEGY

47

REFERENCESEndnotes

Sources

APPENDIX ICurrent Condition & Conservation Advice

APPENDIX IICertificates of Title

APPENDIX IIIThe Burra Charter

APPENDIX IVMeasured Drawings



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

This Conservation Plan for Sauerbier House has been commissioned by the City ofOnkaparinga.

City of Onkaparinga Council aims to revitalize the Port Noarlunga Township bybuilding on its historic and coastal village character. Major road infrastructureprojects are planned and underway, and a Master Plan for the township has beenprepared. The Wearing Street locality is identified as a focus for aquatic activitiesand a separate concept plan has been commissioned.

Sauerbier House is central to the Wearing Street precinct and was purchased byCouncil in October 1998. This conservation plan aims to guide Council in themanagement of this historic place by providing:

• A clear statement of the heritage value of Sauerbier House and its setting.

• A physical survey and schedule of dilapidation.

• Conservation Policies to address future use, conservation, management andmaintenance of the place.

• Conservation actions to give effect to the conservation policies.

• Development Recommendations.

1.2 HERITAGE STATUS

State Heritage Register

Sauerbier House was entered on the State heritage register on 4th March 1993. Theregister number is 6627-11770.

Heritage Survey

Sauerbier House was identified in the following surveys:

• Noarlunga Heritage Survey, 1979

• Noarlunga Heritage Study, 1981 - item PN 09

• Noarlunga Heritage Study Review, 1991

Heritage Walk

Sauerbier House is included in the Self-Guided Walk to Historic Port Noarlunga,1998 prepared by Noarlunga Library Local History Section.



1.3 THE SITE

The Onkaparinga River drains a large area of the Mt Lofty Range. It breaks throughthe last escarpment at Old Noarlunga and enters a tidal estuary. Behind thecoastal dunes the river bends to the south for one kilometre to the river mouth.

Sauerbier House lies on the northern elbow of the Onkaparinga River, between thedunes and Saltfleet Street.

The siting of the homestead at the meeting between key natural and townshipfeatures including the tramline, the bridge and riverside reserve has given both thebuilding and the site unusual prominence.

The Sauerbier property on which the house was built encompasses Lots 10 and 11Section 313 CT 5/245 in the Hundred of Noarlunga, its current street address is 21Wearing Street.

The heritage place is bounded on the south by a Council Reserve and carparkfronting the Onkaparinga River, on the west by Wearing Street and the coastaldunes, on the east by Saltfleet Street and on the north by vacant land also ownedby Council containing a flood levee.



2 HISTORY

2.1 OUTLINE HISTORY OF PORT NOARLUNGA

The mouth of the Onkaparinga River at which Port Noarlunga lies has always beena significant place and rich resource for the Kaurna people.

R. Cockburn, in South Australia What’s in a Name? writes that the word Noarlungais the Aboriginal term for “fishing place”. However he also cites an alternativemeaning suggested in 1844 by writer for the Observer, that the word Noarlunga isderivation of the word Nurlo-ngga-nurlo, meaning “a curvature or elbow, and ngga,on or upon.”1

The area was officially discovered by Europeans by Captain Collett Baker in 18312. However it is likely that European sealers based on Kangaroo Island were awareof its existence before this time.

The southern land sections containing Port Noarlunga were surveyed in 1839 and in1842 a land grant was made in the locality for an unsuccessful whaling venturebased at nearby Witton Bluff. It is reported that the blocks were laid out in PortNoarlunga in about 1853.3

As early as 1844 a barge named the Onkaparinga was in operation transportingconstruction materials for the new flourmill at Noarlunga from Port Noarlunga.4

Although the Onkaparinga River mouth was barely navigable, the offshore reefprovided natural protection for larger vessels. The natural advantages of PortNoarlunga’s situation at the river mouth meant that from the mid-1800’s PortNoarlunga developed strongly as a transport centre.

By 1855 the development of transport infrastructure enabled flour and wheat growninland to be transported down the River on barges to a point not far from whereSauerbier House now stands. Here, goods were unloaded and carted along what isnow Saltfleet Street on a horse drawn tramway. The tramway ran through the sanddunes via a tunnel, to a four hundred foot long jetty, thus avoiding difficultiesassociated with navigating the river mouth. Vessels moored in the shelter of thereef then transported the produce to Adelaide or to export markets.

The first bridge across the Onkaparinga River at Port Noarlunga was built in the1860’s near the terminus of the tram track, adjacent to the present site of SauerbierHouse.



Lot 10 and 11 Wearing Street were part of the original land division of the Hundredof Noarlunga. However, there is no evidence of any building on this property until1897 when the house and associated out buildings were constructed.

Despite this early transport activity there were only ten houses in Port Noarlungaby 1909. Over time, improvements in roads infrastructure meant that drays couldply directly from regional centres in the south to Adelaide or Port Adelaide. Hencethe viability of the southern coastal ports declined. It was recognized that the hopeof Port Noarlunga attracting a large and lucrative shipping trade would never berealized.5

The popularity of Port Noarlunga as a holiday destination however was alreadyevident in its facilities for recreational activities such as boating, fishing and watersports. It was also well recorded as a popular camping ground for groups such asthe Boy’s Brigade.6

During the 1920’s Port Noarlunga was promoted as a beachside holiday location.Its popularity grew such that by 1929 it was able to support its own Institute andLibrary. Early photographs show the reef, beaches, jetty and the riverbank adjacentSauerbier House to be popular sites for recreational activities such as camping,boating, swimming, walking and picnics.



The property now stands just on the river side of the levee bank, not far from the fewremaining timber abutments of the old bridge and the new bridge built in its place.The property is somewhat separated from the town due to the demolition of floodprone buildings that once stood on the river flats and adjacent to Sauerbier House.

2.2 PROPERTY HISTORY

The Sauerbier property lies between the new bridge that crosses the Onkaparingaand the foot of the sand dunes that separate the property from the beach. This landwas originally the home of the Kaurna people who lived on the natural resourcesprovided by both land and water at this place where the river flows into the ocean.

1839

The survey for the Hundred of Noarlunga clearly shows the relationship of theSauerbier property to the tramway that ran along the eastern boundary of theproperty. Note the high water mark is shown at quite a distance from the property.The levee bank constructed much later to protect the town from floods passedthrough Lot 9 showing that this high water mark was in fact often exceeded.

1856

Formation of the District Council of Noarlunga.

1859 John Bullock

The original land grant for the property was issued to John Bullock on the 10th ofMay 1859 for one thousand and twenty seven perches of land numbered allotment10, situated in the township of Port Noarlunga. The price for this land was ninepounds and two shillings.7

Lot 10 remains on a separate title to Lot 11, however it appears that two lots havealways been held as a single parcel.

John Bullock was a colonist and an early shareholder of the Burra Mines, of whichhe was at one stage a Director. He lived at Franklin Street, Adelaide for manyyears before his death at the age of sixty-five. He was survived by his wife, son andtwo daughters. He was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery.8

It would appear that this was a speculative land holding as there is no evidence ofuse of the allotment. Its location adjacent to the tramway and river would havemade this a desirable investment.

1879 Frederick William Bullock

John Bullock died on the 5th of March 1879. His will, dated the 9th of February1878, bequeathed the land to his son, Frederick William Bullock, the transfer ofownership occurring on the on the 26th of April 1879. Frederick disposed of theproperty within a few weeks.

Frederick was an estate agent, as well as an alderman and chairman of thenational park Commissioners. He also had a part in the formation of the AustralianNational Union, which was a forerunner of the Australian Natives Association. 9Again there is no recorded use of the land.



The Sauerbier Family

The Sauerbier family were bakers, presumably of German heritage, who emigratedto Australia in the ship the Deslandes, landing in Sydney on the 10th of April 1850.They settled in South Australia, where they developed a number of significantagricultural properties and homesteads over a number of generations. The familyare well known for their association with these prominent properties and with theestablishment by George Sauerbier of the first pure Southdown sheep stud inSouth Australia.

Aberfoyle Homestead, formerly Happy Valley Estate

Christian Sauerbier married Margaret Ann Tapley and had two sons, Christian Jr,Sauerbier and George Sauerbier, and a daughter. The family settled in SouthAustralia taking up land in the early 1850’s, and developed the Happy ValleyEstate, off Taylor’s road, Aberfoyle Park. The estate included the homestead, builtby local builder Thomas Threadgold in the1970’s, stables, barn, groomsmen’squarters and other farming related structures. The homestead is built of blue-stonewith brick dressings and corrugated iron hipped roof. A concave verandah surroundsthe homestead on all sides and is decorated with cast iron balustrading, spandrelsand freizework.10

Christian Jr. Sauerbier changed his name to Aberfoyle in 1917 due to anti-Germansentiment during World War I. It was Christian Aberfoyle, after whom the areaAberfoyle Park was named, who renamed Happy Valley Estate as AberfoyleHomestead, by which name it is known today. The 1988 Heritage Survey byHassell Planning Consultants recommended Aberfoyle Homestead for inclusion onthe State Heritage Register. It is also on the Recorded List of the National Trust ofSouth Australia.

Wickham Park

George Sauerbier was born on the 3rd of January 1860. He married EmilyGwendoline and settled at a property known as Wickham Park at McLaren Flat.11.George and Emily Sauerbier had two sons and a daughter, George Keith Sauerbier(Keith), Howard Davies Sauerbier (Jock) and Gwendoline Hannah, (born in 1899).

A keen breeder of South Downs sheep, George imported a ram and three ewesfrom England in 1900, and another ram and four ewes in 1905 to establish his flock.

Wickham Park, had been established by Benjamin Wickham on the KangarillaRoad at McLaren Flat. Wickham, who had arrived in South Australia with his familyon the Africane in 1836, established a farmhouse and a barn on the property onwhich he both grew crops and kept livestock.

Wickham Park was purchased by George Sauerbier and in 1903 local builderThomas Threadgold built a new large homestead for the Sauerbier family there,next to the existing farmhouse.

In 1925 the homestead was guttered by fire, after which it was rebuilt. The propertywas passed from George Sauerbier to George Keith Sauerbier and then to his sonand present owner George.

Wickham Park remains as a prominent heritage property in the district andincludes not only the stately homestead but other early farm buildings ofsignificance. The Willunga District Heritage Survey of 1997 shows that WickhamPark fulfills the relevant criteria to be included on the Local Heritage List.



Sauerbier House

George Sauerbier bought the allotments 10 & 11 in Wearing Street, Port Noarlungaon the 19th of May 1897 presumably from Frederick Bullock.

The Council rates register records that in 1897 rates were paid for the land at 21Wearing Street, in the following year rates were paid on a house and land. Thisdates the construction of the house as 1897/1898.

It is likely that the associated stone out buildings, consisting of a privy, vehicleshed and skillion shed, were built either at the same time as the house, or soonafterwards as they appear in early photographs of the property. A post and railfence is evident in photograph as early as 1910 and is most likely contemporarywith the house.

According to George Keith, Sauerbier House was built as a home for his parents’retirement, 12 although as George Snr. would have been less than forty years oldat the time it is likely that the home was for a number of years used a s a holidayhome by the family.

George and Emily Sauerbier lived at the Wearing Street property until EmilySauerbier died on the 28th of August 1936. 13 George died just over a week later onthe 8th of September 1936.



The Downs

Between 1920 and 1924 George Sauerbier senior transferred a property of 670acres north east of McLaren Flat to his son George Keith for raising sheep. Thisproperty, “The Downs” was where George Keith founded a South Downs stud in1926, from stock from his father’s property. 14

Jocklyn Park

Howard Davies Sauerbier (Jock) was later given land on Sauerbier’s Road, PortNoarlunga South, by his father, which came to be known as “Jocklyn Park”.15 Thisproperty had been developed from the 1860’s by the Teakle family who built acottage and then a homestead on the property. The extent of further developmentby Howard Davies Sauerbier is not known. This property is State Heritage Listed.

1909 Description

The following is an extract from an article of 1909, published in the Cyclopedia ofSouth Australians.

“Near the mouth, where a reef gave some shelter, a jetty was constructed, and atunnel with a tramline driven under the sand hills in the hope, if not the expectation,that ‘Port Noarlunga’ would attract a shipping trade.



This has proved not to be the case but the locality is still attractive as a seasideresort and a favorite camping-ground for such organisations as the Boy’sBrigade…Its facilities for boating, fishing and other kinds of sport, both on the riverand its outlets, are exceptional.”16

1924

The promotion of Port Noarlunga as a ‘Holiday Makers Paradise’, increased thenumber of holiday makers to the town. Historic photographs show the popularity ofthe riverside adjacent the Sauerbier’s property. Recreational facilities weredeveloped at this site, including the well known Skinners boat hire and a kiosk. Thearea also remained a popular site for camping.

1930s Kathleen Sauerbier

The landscape qualities of this locality have long been acknowledged. HP Gillsketched and later painted Evening, Mouth of the Onkaparinga in 1898.

Barbara Santich in McLaren Vale Sea and Vines records that “Aldinga and PortWillunga were a hub of artistic activity in the 1930s and 1940s, stimulated byKathleen Sauerbiers’s interest from the late 1920s.



As niece of George Sauerbier, who had a homestead overlooking the Onkaparingaat Port Noarlunga, Kathleen may already have been familiar with the southerncoast”17

Kathleen Sauerbier along with other distinguished South Australian artists maderegular visits to paint this landscape. The extent of her direct association if anywith Sauerbier House is not known.

1937 George Keith Sauerbier

George Sauerbier left the Wearing Street house and land to George KeithSauerbier, who took ownership on the 12th of March 1937. At this time GeorgeKeith was living at Wickham Park. George Keith’s son, also George, still lives atWickam Park .18

1937 William Charles Bennett / Abigail May Bennett

George Keith Sauerbier soon sold the property to William Charles Bennett andAbigail May Bennett. It appears that the Bennetts lived in the house. William



Bennett died on the 1st of July 1952, Abigail May Bennett died on the 4th ofSeptember 1960.

It is likely that the brick outbuilding containinga laundry was built during the Bennettsownership of the property. This outbuildingstands just to the north of the house and itsform points to a likely date of construction ofthe 1940’s or the 1950’s.

1961 Ethel May Bennett / WinifredFlorence Bennett

Upon Abigail Bennett’s death the property waspassed to daughters Ethel May and WinifredFlorence Bennett of Magill, on the 17th ofAugust 1961.

The occupancy of the house during this periodis not clear.



1975 State Planning Authority

Upon the death of Winifred Bennett the State Planning Authority purchased theproperty on the 30th of April 1975. The land was declared as open space by theSouth Australian Government in 1978.19

It is believed that the property was purchased as a potential site for a number ofdevelopment possibilities, including a new bridge, linking the property to theOnkaparinga Recreation Park and recreational development to the east of theproperty. In the interim the property was leased as a residential rental property.20

Inadequate maintenance was carried out over these decades and the buildingdeteriorated steadily over the subsequent years of disinterested state ownership.Eventually the building was leftuntenanted..

Floods

The Onkaparinga Estuary is prone toflooding and severe flood events haveaffected the Port Noarlunga township forexample in 1933 and 1971.

No documentary or physical evidencethat Sauerbier House was flooded hasbeen found, however this appears likely.Floods in 1933 reached to YoungsGarage on the corner of Gawler andWard Street 21 where the ground level isat least 2.6 metres above sea level. Theground level adjacent Sauerbier Houseis 2.0 metres above sea level.

Houses on the river flat subdivision tothe east of Gray Street (which lies justacross Saltfleet Street) of were floodprone and have been demolished andthe area returned to an OnkaparingaEstuary.

A flood levee was constructed to protectthe township at an unknown date.However it passes behind SauerbierHouse, which therefore remainsunprotected.

1981 Heritage Study

In 1981 the Corporation of Noarlungacommissioned the Noarlunga HeritageSurvey, which included SauerbierHouse and outbuildings.Recommendations by this survey led toits nomination for Heritage listing by theCorporation of Noarlunga.



1983 State Heritage Register Nomination Report

In response to the above nomination the State Heritage Branch prepared a reportwhich recommended that the building be included on the State Heritage Register.

The South Australian Heritage Committee did not support the nomination howeverand the recommendation was rejected. The reasons for this rejection are notknown.

1989 Urban Land Trust

South Australian Urban Land Trust requested that the State Heritage Branchinvestigate whether the property should be listed. The resulting report againconfirmed that listing was still not supported.



1991

Sauerbier House was again nominated for inclusion on the Register of StateHeritage, a nomination that was also rejected.

The property was then transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of theDepartment of Environment and Planning.

The house and outbuildings were noted and photographed for the 1991 NoarlungaHeritage Study.

At this time the building was left vacant, and was subject to severe vandalism,including having one chimney knocked down.



1992 Mrs T McGrady

The property was purchased by Theresa McGrady for $72,000 on the 13th of March1992.

1992 State Heritage Register Re-Assessment

Around this time the property was again considered for inclusion on the StateHeritage Register.

A State Heritage Register Re-Assessment in 1992 recommended listing ofSauerbier House, this time supported by the Minister for Environment and Planning.After a period of interim listing the property was included on the State HeritageRegister in March 1993.

A State Heritage Fund Grant of $15,000 was subsequently made to assist with theconservation work including urgent repairs to the roof and repair of chimneys.

1992 Mrs T McGrady

The $15,000 grant was used to install new roof sheeting and rebuild and repair thechimneys.

Over the next few years McGrady undertook further renovations and redecoratedthe interior. This work included replacing verandah posts, and doors, refitting thelean-to bathroom, toilet and laundry and redecorating the interior.

It is presumed that McGrady was resident at this time.

1995 City of Onkaparinga

The City of Onkaparinga purchased the property in preparation of the redevelopmentof the township. It has since been let as a residential tenancy to maintainoccupancy and help protect the building from vandalism.

2.3 PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

Design and Construction of the House

Refer Figure 19

Built in 1897 the house is a common example of a late Victorian limestone houseof four main rooms linked by a central hallway. The Kitchen is internal, in one of therear main rooms. There were no sanitary facilities inside the original house. Thesewould most likely have been located in either a lightweight lean-to or in separateout-buildings. One notable design departure from the conventional building type isthe additional window in the south wall of Room 1, providing a view of theOnkaparinga River. There is no record of the designer or builder or original plans.

The hipped roof was of corrugated iron with central box gutter. The two chimneyswere of brick.

The floors were generally suspended Baltic pine boards. Both external and internalwalls were constructed of rubble limestone. External walls were built on a red brickplinth, with brick sills, quoins, string course and trims. Internal walls wereplastered.



The extent of original internal decoration was minimal. The lath and plaster ceilingswere trimmed with small decorative plaster ceiling roses, plaster arch mouldings inthe hall and plaster cornices in the front rooms only.

The original moulded joinery doors were generally four paneled doors, both the frontand back door had fanlights but no sidelights.

Design and Construction of the Verandah

The house was constructed with a bullnosed verandah on all four sides. A fullyencircling verandah such as this is typical of Australian houses in rural rather thansuburban locations. Historic photographs show the outline of an earlier decorativegable that was fixed over the verandah roof, marking the front door.

Footings to the verandah were bluestone and these footing most likely extendbelow the house. The original verandah floor is likely to have been either a thincement screed on rubble fill, or suspended timber boards.

There is evidence of past verandah infill rooms on the south west corner, sinceremoved. This has a concrete floor which remains at a lower floor level than theexisting verandah. Early photos show that the verandah was not originallyenclosed, however at some stage the rear verandah was enclosed by a lightweightconstruction across the length of the south west side. At some stage a bathroom,toilet and laundry was installed in this lean-to, although it is not known if this wasits original function.

External decorative elements included pairs of cast concrete eaves brackets, stopchamfered timber verandah posts with capitals and cast iron corner brackets.

Condition, 1989 –1991

Photographs taken between 1989 and 1991 for the 1991 Noarlunga Heritage Studyshow the house to be in poor condition due to neglect, however most originalfeatures appear to be intact.

The hallway was at this time decorated with strongly patterned wallpaper to apicture rail height. The cast iron lacework to the verandah appears in photographsup until approximately 1989. Photographic evidence shows that the original shortsheet roofing was intact but that the original OG gutters had been replaced with Dgutters. There is clear evidence of the outline of the decorative gable on thebullnose verandah which, by this time, had been removed.

Shortly after this survey was conducted (some photographs are dated 1989), thehouse was subjected to severe vandalism. The house was unoccupied at this time.Windows and doors were broken and were boarded up. One chimney was badlydamaged. There was graffiti on internal walls. The house deteriorated as a result ofthis damage and continued neglect as a result of its lack of occupancy.

1992 Renovations

The house returned to private ownership in 1992, and extensive repairs were madewhich returned the house to a habitable condition. During this year the house andoutbuildings gained State heritage Listing which also led to a grant with whichrepairs were made to the roof and chimneys.

The original galvanised iron roof was replaced with full length red colorbond. Theverandah iron was also replaced and ogee profile gutters were installed. It is notknown if the cast iron lace work had been previously destroyed by vandalism or if itwas removed at the time of re-roofing. Some of the verandah posts were replaced,



but are a poor match with the size and detail of the original, any remaining capitalsand egg moulds appear to have been removed at this time.

The chimneys were substantially rebuilt and reconstructed to the original form,however the finer details of splay brickwork chamfers, and some brick colours werenot well matched.



The electrical wiring was replaced. A minor upgrade of the lean-to bathroom, toiletand laundry, (under the rear verandah) was undertaken, consisting largely in thereplacement of finishes. Linoleum and any carpets were lifted and the floorspolished.

Broken glass was replaced as necessary in the original sashes. Some originalglass survived the vandalism intact. The doors however were all replaced. Althoughthey are generally traditional are four panel doors their loose fit suggest that theywere salvaged from elsewhere and re-hung. The front door was replaced andcoloured sidelights installed. Skirtings and architraves were generally stripped andfinished with clear polyurethane.

The interior was redecorated with the strong colours and the wallpaper dado stripsand chair rails which remain today.

The brush and lattice pergola extending from the western verandah was probablybuilt about this time.

Current Condition of the House, as Inspected 1999

Refer to Figure ? for reference to room numbers, and to Appendix I, Schedule ofCondition and Recommendations for further details.

Since purchased in 1995 by the City of Onkaparinga, house has been let as arental property. Changes have been limited largely to maintenance. The currentcondition therefore reflects the changes that occurred during the renovation of 1992

The new colourbond roof is in good condition and although the pitch and materialprofile matches the original, the satin colorbond finish is not in keeping with the eraof the house.

The floors of the main house remain as clear finished exposed boards and aregenerally in good condition. Walls are generally in good structural condition withonly minor salt damp and cracking. External wall finishes are damaged in placesdue to graffiti and cement patching. Where plaster is exposed it is generally originaland in good condition, however wall-paper and freezes conceal the condition ofmany surfaces and are not in keeping with the style of the house.

Ceilings are generally original and in good condition with moudlings and cornicesintact. Room 5 has a sheet ceiling installed below the original which is not inkeeping with the style of the house.

Internal joinery is generally in good condition although surfaces have been damagedin the process of stripping paint. The clear finish to this joinery is not in keepingwith the style of the house. The poor fit of the salvaged doors compromisesacoustic and thermal separation of the spaces.

Fireplaces remain in the four main rooms, however only the kitchen mantle is likelyto be original. Other surrounds and grates are in places missing, those that havebeen replaced are not in keeping with the style of the house. Slate hearths, in goodcondition remain in all rooms except room 1.

Electrical services were not surveyed , however neither smoke alarms nor safetyswitches are installed. Services are generally chased internally and exposedexternally. A meter box and distribution board on the north façade is intrusive.



Current Condition of the Verandah, as Inspected 1999

The verandah roof is in good condition and its profile matches that of the originalalthough the decorative gable over the front door has not been reconstructed.

The blue-stone foundation to the verandah is in poor condition due to insubstantialfootings and invasive tree roots. Consequently the concrete slab on fill verandahfloor, which is not original, has cracked and shifted. The section of concrete in thesouth-west corner of the verandah is significantly older and may be indicative of theoriginal thickness and finish of the verandah. This section is in poor condition.

Floors in the lean to step down from the floor level of the main house and arefinished in slate tiles which although in good condition are not in keeping with thestyle of the house.



The light-weight lean-to that encloses the rear verandah is of sub-standardconstruction. Clad externally with corrugated iron these walls are in reasonablecondition. Internal plasterboard wall and ceiling linings and pine wall paneling are inreasonable condition but are not in keeping with the style of the house.

Some verandah posts are original but many have been sawn short and aresupported on galvanised brackets that are not in keeping with the style of thehouse. New posts do not match the profile of the original, fascias are generallyoriginal and serviceable. No capitals, egg moulds or lacework remains.

Design and Construction of Outbuildings

There are two remaining outbuildings in the north west corner of Lot 10. Alimestone building against the Wearing Street boundary contains the original privy,a gabled vehicle shed and skillion shed. From its construction and photographicevidence this building would appear to be contemporary with the house. The vehicleaccess doorways faces into the allotment suggesting the principal access to thesite was from Saltfleet Street. This is confirmed by photographic evidence.

The timber framed gabled roofs covering the vehicle shed and privy are clad incorrugated iron with moulded fascias and ogee gutters. The skillion roof does nothave gutters or trims.

The walls are constructed of rubble lime-stone with brick piers at the openings. Theprivy has a concrete floor and is plastered internally. The internal walls of thevehicle shed were trowelled with lime plaster. This shed had a concrete floor anddouble timber doors. The quality of construction of the skillion shed, which open toone side does not match that of the other stone out-buildings and has a dirt floorand no internal linings or finishes.

Between the house and the stone outbuildings is a red brick outbuilding of ca1940’s or 1950’s. This building was a laundry before these facilities were includedin the rear lean-to. This building has concrete lintels and shallower roof pitch. It is ofmore recent construction than the house and is not in keeping with, norcomplements the style of the house. It is not significant.

There is a standard steel storage shed on the southern boundary of Lot 11 used bythe Aquatic Centre. This building is of contemporary construction and has noassociation with the heritage building. It is not significant.

Condition of Outbuildings – as inspected 1999

The roofs to the stone out-buildings are original but are unserviceable, contributingto the deterioration of the walls, framing and finishes. The corrugated iron gable tothe north-east is unserviceable. Gutters are rusted through or missing and fasciasdamaged.

Walls are generally in good condition although in danger of deterioration due to theunserviceable roof. Some re-pointing and repair is required, internal finished aredamaged.

The original lath and plaster privy ceiling is severely damaged. The timber doors tothe vehicle shed are in reasonable condition but are loose on their hinges.

The red brick outbuilding is in good and serviceable condition although it is tooclose to the house and is therefore intrusive. The steel shed while similarly out ofcharacter is largely screened by planting and is further away, reducing its visualimpact.



Post and Rail Fence

The hardwood post and split rail fence enclosing the two allotments is anoutstanding site feature. The fence appears on all historic photos of the site and isassumed to date from before 1910. It is likely to have been built by GeorgeSauerbier when the house was built. This fence originally bordered the entireproperty. The four corners of the combined allotments are marked by substantialhardwood strainer posts.

Substantial sections of the fence remain along the north and eastern boundaries,and by the gate on the western boundary. The remaining fence is in poor conditionas many rails and a number of posts are missing, other sections are almost burieddue to build up of soil.

The post and rail fence has been replaced along the southern boundary with a lowpermapine barrier, and along the western boundary by a wire fence. There is also acorrugated iron screen fence constructed of iron salvaged from the originalverandah. These fences are of substandard construction and are not significant.

Siting

The house is sited on Lot 10. It faces east to Saltfleet Street and is set close to theWearing Street boundary. This provides a thirty metre front setback and expansivefront garden but little space to the rear of the house. Orientation of the house andoutbuilding indicates the original approach was most likely from Saltfleet Street.Early photographs show the property as rather isolated from the rest of thetownship. Other early houses that were outside of protection of the town’s leveebank were demolished due to regular flooding.

The presentation of the property has been significantly affected by closing accessfrom Saltfleet Street and entering the property instead from Wearing Street from therear of the house, past the out-buildings and lean-tos.

Setting

Early photos overviewing the siteshow an open landscape. Along withthe remainder of the town, theenclosed house allotments werebereft of trees. The landscape to theeast was open grassland with viewsof the River and the escarpment ofthe Sellicks Range. Open views bothfrom and to the house were clearly afeature of the site.

This is in marked contrast to thepresent townscape that isdominated by mature trees. Thesetting of the house is nowdominated by landmark NorfolkIsland Pines clustered alongWearing Street.

Saltfleet Street has been raised onan earth embankment directlyadjacent to the post and rail fenceon the eastern boundary. The



embankment slope is overgrown with River Oak root suckers, which impinge on thefence.



Views to and from the house are now completely screened by dense vegetationwithin and adjoining the site.

Views to the riverbank are also obscured and marred by the large steel shed in thesouth-west corner of the property and the public toilet on the reserve adjacent theriver.

Garden

Early photos show little garden development apart from a hedge on the inside thenorthern fence. In the 1920s Lot 12 appears as a grassed paddock.

There are many traditional garden and coastal species present on Lot 11. A fullsurvey was not undertaken however the following species were noted on the site:

• Coprosma hedge in front of the house.

• Wormwood hedge inside the northern boundary

• Tamarisk in north east corner.

• A row of Alexandra Palms inside the Saltfleet Street fence

• Aloe Vera

• Norfolk Island Pines.

The 1974 aerial photograph clearly shows the above plants and the front gardenlayout. There were two side hedges and a central path leading to the front door. Lot11 was generally open. It is likely that this was the original garden layout.



Since 1974 the main changes have been the growth of the large cypress by thecorner of the verandah and the removal of the large trees along Wearing Street. Lot11 is now dominated by a thicket of River Oak most likely regenerated from rootsuckers.

There are scattered eucalypts throughout. These and the River Oak thicket are notlocally indigenous and not of heritage value.

The central island and side garden beds with mixed planting in the front gardenprobably date from the 1980s.

Further planting and garden beds with cottage style plants within the original frontgarden framework is likely to have been established after the 1992 renovation of thehouse.

Site Access

Historic photos indicate a track inside the Saltfleet Street boundary and a gateadjacent to the bridge. At this time there was direct access from the bridgeabutment to the waterfront.

Remaining physical evidence in the form of an existing track leading to the vehicleshed and defined by stone edging and Coprosma hedge in the front garden supportthis track as the principal access.

Roadworks to Saltfleet Street to meet the higher level bridge have significantlyaltered the topology of the verge adjacent the property which now slopes steeplydown to the fence line. Vehicle access to the property is now from the rear of thesite, via Wearing Street.

Adjacent Buildings and Recreation Uses

No evidence remains of any wharf structures or the Saltfleet Street tramway whichwere the earliest European uses of this locality. However, abutment piles probablyfrom the 1866 timber bridge remain on the river banks.

A small double hipped roof stone cottage appears in the early photos on theadjacent allotment to the north and facing Wearing Street. This has since beendemolished and is now the site of with the flood levee bank.



A number of stone buildings on the allotments to the west of Wearing Street can beseen in early photos. These appear to include a substantial stone store closest tothe river, boatsheds, and houses. None of these buildings remain.

Skinners Boat Hire was established on the river front from about 1914, building onthe recreational popularity of the locality.

In more recent years Department of Education Aquatics programs have been runfrom this site, and associated storage sheds have been constructed. This programis ongoing.

Early photos show the waterfront adjacent to Sauerbier House as a sandy beach.However the land has been filled and a sealed carpark constructed, The beach hasbeen replaced with stone boulders, presumably to protect the carpark. At low tidethe beach is exposed to the south of the carpark.

A masonry toilet block has been built by Council at the eastern end of the carpark.

2.4 LISTING OF THE PROPERTY

1981 Heritage Study

A Survey Data Sheet prepared in 1979 by Lester Firth & Murton Pty Ltd for the1981 Heritage Study classified Sauerbier House and associated stone out buildingsas significant heritage items and recommended their listing. The Corporation ofNoarlunga then nominated Sauerbier House for inclusion on the Register of StateHeritage Items, in the 1981 Noarlunga Heritage Study.

1983 State Heritage Register Nomination Report

The State Heritage Branch prepared a report in response to the above nomination,recommending that the building be included on the State Heritage Register.



The report made the following statements regarding the property’s heritagesignificance:

Historically, the building is of significance for its association in the nineteenth centurywith the Bullock family of auctioneers and real estate agents, and in the twentiethcentury with the Sauerbier family of sheep breeders.

Architecturally, the building with its perimeter verandah is an attractive but typicalexample of a Victorian house style.

Environmentally, the building retains some of its earlier isolation, and the dwelling isan important reminder of the early settlement of Port Noarlunga.

The Integrity, of the building is good, although minor alterations to the verandahdetract from the original appearance of the dwelling.

It should be noted that although the property was owned by the Bullock family for aperiod of twenty years there is no evidence of any development of the site duringthis period. The significance of this connection may therefore be questioned.

This nomination came from the Noarlunga City Council at a time when the site waspotentially to become part of a recreational redevelopment of the riverside. Howeverthe South Australian Heritage Committee did not support the nomination and therecommendation was rejected.

1989 Urban Land Trust

South Australian Urban Land Trust requested that the State Heritage Branchinvestigate whether the property should be listed. The resulting report confirmedthat no listing was intended at that time.

1991

Richard Medlycott of Morphett Vale nominated Sauerbier House for inclusion on theRegister of State Heritage places, and submitted historical material to support thisto the Member for Baudin Hon. Dr Hopgood.

At this time the 1991 Noarlunga Heritage Study Review was underway and theManager of the State Heritage Branch determined that unless new historicalevidence of the significance of the property came to light its position with regards tothe register would not change.

Negotiations to transfer the property to the Education Department are recorded. Arequest to transfer the land to Port Noarlunga Primary School & Aquatic Centre atmarket value22 reflects the ongoing recreational use of the locality. The residencewas vacant at this time.

The property was eventually purchased using Planning and Development funds bythe National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment andPlanning.

1992 Mrs T McGrady

SA Department of Lands offered to sell the property to the Noarlunga Council atthis time, however the Council declined. Instead the property was sold to privatepurchaser, Theresa McGrady.

Around this time the property was again considered for inclusion on the StateHeritage Register.



McGrady undertook renovations and redecorated the interior. This work includednew roof sheeting, rebuilding and repairing the chimneys, replacing verandah posts,refitted the lean-to bathroom, toilet and laundry and redecorating the interior.

1992 State Heritage Register Re-Assessment

Another State heritage assessment this time received the support of the Ministerfor Environment and Planning. Sauerbier House was finally entered on the StateHeritage register. It was interim listed on the 9th of June 1992, and on the 4th ofMarch 1993 gazetted on the State Heritage Register.

Whether this listing was driven by the need of funds to make urgent repair work onthe house is not known.



3 INTEGRITY

3.1 Sauerbier House

The integrity of Sauerbier House is high. The original building form and room layoutof the main house remains unaltered and legible. The addition of various lightweightlean-to’s is characteristic of this type of dwelling and their subsequent removal oralteration has not impacted upon the integrity of the house. These alterations didnot significantly affect the original fabric as they were limited to the rear elevation.They are reversible.

Much of the original fabric, including external stonework and brickwork, internalplastered walls, ceilings and mouldings, joinery including architraves, windowsashes, skirtings and sills, timber floors, slate hearths, remain intact andserviceable.

External masonry remains unpainted except under the back verandah where thelean-to has been constructed.

Some original internal finishes have been concealed although this work has beenlargely cosmetic and is reversible. Exceptions to this are the loss and replacementof the original doors.

Maintenance such as verandah reconstruction, re-roofing and chimney repairs havegenerally followed the form and intent of the original, although modern substitutessuch as colorbond have been use in lieu traditional materials such as galvanisediron with some loss of integrity.

Changes to the detriment of the integrity of the house include the following:

• The concrete slab verandah is not in keeping with the style of the house.

• The original cast iron brackets, egg moulds and verandah post capitalshave been removed. New verandah posts do not match the original, manyof which were damaged by their alteration. The galvanised post bases arenot in keeping with the style of the house.

• Shade structure to the rear of the house is of poor quality construction andnot in keeping with the style of the house.

• Bathroom and laundry fit-out and finishes are not in keeping with the styleof the house.

Further details of condition and integrity are provided in Appendix I.

3.2 Outbuildings

The original outbuildings associated with Sauerbier House remain structurally intactand are almost entirely of the original fabric and finishes, and so are of highintegrity. However due to a lack of maintenance they are in poor condition and arein a state of accelerated deterioration that threatens their integrity.

The post and rail fences are in disrepair and are very fragile. A large proportion ismissing, however the remaining elements demonstrate the form and enclosure ofthe original.

The more recent brick outbuilding close to the house is not in keeping with thecharacter of the house and detracts from the integrity of its setting. It is in



serviceable condition. Similarly the steel shed of recent construction is detrimentalto the integrity of the site.

3.3 Garden

Apart from the Coprosma and wormwood hedges that suggest a formal central pathand evidence of vehicle access from Saltfleet Street, little further evidence of anyoriginal gardens or layout has been found. However the traditional hierarchy ofgarden spaces remains intact. The front garden is a semi-formal lawn with centraland enclosing beds, overlooked by the front verandah. The side gardens areutilitarian and the back garden relates to the back verandah.

While many of the plant species are traditional cottage and coastal plants, themixture of planting styles and themes does little to complement the house.

The grove of River Oak and scattered Eucalyptus on Lot 11 compromise both viewsand the association of the house and the river

3.4 LOCALITY

The relationship of Sauerbier House to the broader landscape is shown by earlyphotographs The house was at some distance from the small township and sited atbase of the sand dunes overlooking an open landscape.

The sweeping views from the house to the east, and to the south over the river flatsto the Sellicks Range have been cut off by the road embankment, construction onand adjacent the site, and by planting.

The quality of the immediate locality has been transformed from the quiet ruralfringe of a coastal village to a place affected by the presence and traffic noise of amajor arterial urban connector road. The proximity of the road embankment has adirect impact on the post and rail fence.

The visual connection and access from the township has been weakened by thelevee bank and by removal of surrounding buildings and screening trees.

The natural character of the riverfront adjoining Sauerbier House has been lost asthe result of covering the beach, filling and retaining of the land, sealing the carparkand construction of a public toilet block. The riverfront character has beencompromised by these developments. Removal or reduction of the carpark andrehabilitation of the riverbank as a centre for aquatic recreation would enable therecovery of this integrity and character.

The visual relationship with the sand dune system remains to some extent althoughlarge Norfolk Island Pines now screen the house from the backdrop of dunes.



3.5 PHOTOGRAPHS



4 SIGNIFICANCE

4.1 ANALYSIS

House & Stone Outbuildings

Sauerbier House was constructed about 1897. The house and outbuildingsrepresent a single period of construction after which no significant additions oralterations were made.

Architecturally the building is a typical example of late Victorian symmetrical fourroom house, built using local materials within the local vernacular. It is anunpretentious house with simple decorative elements and finishes.

The perimeter verandah is typical of rural rather than suburban houses, anddemonstrates a response to the open rural setting when the house was built.

The integrity and interpretive potential of Sauerbier House is high. Changes thatcompromise the integrity of the house are largely reversible.

The stone outbuildings are important for their association with the house, Theycontribute to make legibility of the original layout of the site. They are of goodintegrity and if stabilized or restored offer potential amenity for future use of theproperty.

The house is one of the few remaining intact early buildings in Port Noarlunga.

Social Significance

Sauerbier House was probably constructed as a holiday house and future aretirement dwelling for George and Emily Sauerbier. Its modest scale and finishesreflect the circumstances and aspirations of George Sauerbier as a local grazier.The house relates only indirectly to history of the family’s settlement of the districtand their subsequent grazing activities. Other properties developed by the familyare more directly associated with these grazing activities.

Sauerbier House demonstrates the pattern of retirement from the farm to coastaltowns. As in this case the family farm was often passed down to one of the sons.This social pattern was an important factor in the historical development of manycoastal towns, such as Port Noarlunga where, in the early 20th century, theeconomic base shifted, from transport or industry to recreation and retirement.

Other Associations

Previous heritage studies of the property have identified an association with theBullock family, to whom the original land grant was made. The Bullock family werewell known as auctioneers and real estate agents. However, during the twentyperiod of ownership by John and later Frederick Bullock there was no recordeddevelopment of the property. It is likely that this was a speculative investment. Theassociation of the property with the Bullock family is weak.

Site Features

The remnants of the post and rail fence contributes to the integrity of the place indefining extent of Lots 10 and 11. These lots were part of the original land divisionof Port Noarlunga. No further subdivision of the property has occurred. The post and



rail fence assists in defining the original rural character of the property evident inearly photographs.

Evidence of the original garden contributes to the legibility of the front gardenlayout, the hierarchy of garden spaces and relationship of the garden to verandahs.The more recent garden planting is not significant. Apart from the few plants thatremain from the original garden, the recent planting does not reflect a clear themeor plan. The ad-hoc nature of planting in the garden conflicts with the heritagevalues of the site and detracts from its integrity and interpretation.

European Cultural Significance of Locality

Sauerbier House is an important part of this historic precinct.

The natural attractions of the Onkaparinga River, the beach and reef made this alocality of economic and cultural significance for the Kaurna people. These samewater resources made the locality attractive to European settlers initially fortransport and later for recreation.

The timber bridge piles are evidence of the 1866 timber bridge. They reflect theimportance of road transport to the early development of the colony. They show oneof the ways that the river has affected the development pattern of the district.

The river front between the bridge and the sand dunes which is overlooked bySauerbier House has played an important part in the lives of local residents as afocus for river recreation activities. Organised aquatic activities are still conductedfrom this place, which is also popular for fishing.

The levee bank is important as an engineering structure constructed in response torepeated flooding of the township. It provides tangible evidence of these importantevents that affected the lives of local residents, and the development of thetownship.

The landmark Norfolk Island pines that mark the riverfront precinct are not ofheritage value although they have considerable landscape and amenity value.These trees relate to the more recent recreation use of the precinct and do notconflict with the heritage values of the house.

4.2 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Association

The Sauerbier property is locally significant for its association with locallyprominent sheep breeder and grazier George Sauerbier.

Aesthetic Values

The design, construction and materials of the house and outbuildings are typical ofthe area. The house and outbuildings are a good example of Victorian vernaculardesign within a rural coastal context. The perimeter verandah demonstrates aresponse to the open rural setting when the house was built.

Social Themes

The house is evidence of social and recreational patterns that led to thedevelopment of the Port Noarlunga and the other southern plains coastal villages as



recreational and retirement destinations. It provides legible evidence of a way of lifecharacteristic of such villages.



Landmark and Locality Values

The relationship of Sauerbier House to the immediate locality is significant in termsof a sense of place and landmark value. Despite changes there is scope to recoverthese values.

Remnants of the original garden layout and the post and rail fence are significantbecause they mark the original site layout, hierarchy of outdoor spaces and thesite boundary. They mediate between the house and the wider landscape context.

The locality of the property, on the fringe of the township adjacent to SaltfleetStreet, the levee bank, the bridge, the Onkaparinga River and the coastal sanddunes gives it a strong sense of place and prominence as a local landmark.

4.3 HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

Sauerbier House was assessed and recommended for State Heritage listing in1981 and in 1983 but was on both occasions rejected. The status was reviewed in1989 and 1991 with recommendations against State heritage listing. It was re-assessed and interim listed in 1992, and finally placed on the State HeritageRegister in1993.

This conservation plan has reviewed the historical and physical evidence inaccordance with the Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Cultural Significance.23

The Statement of Significance arising from the evidence can now be assessedagainst the State and Local heritage criteria, which were established with the newHeritage and Development Acts introduced in 1993.

State Heritage Criteria

Under the Heritage Act 1993 a place is of state heritage value if it satisfies one ormore of the following criteria:

(a) it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State’shistory; or

(b) it has rare, uncommon or endangered qualities that are of culturalsignificance; or

(c) it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of theState’s history including its natural history; or

(d) it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of places of culturalsignificance; or

(e) it demonstrates a high degree of creative, aesthetic or technicalaccomplishment or is an outstanding representative of particularconstruction techniques or design characteristics; or

(f) it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a groupwithin it; or

(g) it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisationor an event of historical importance.

The Statement of Significance for Sauerbier House does not demonstrateattainment of any of the State heritage criteria. It does not meet the thresholds forimportance, rarity, an outstanding representative, a high degree of accomplishment



or strong and special associations. The values it demonstrates are of local ratherthan state importance.

On an objective assessment of the evidence the consultants consider that thecontinued State heritage listing of Sauerbier House cannot be justified.

Local Heritage Criteria

Under the Development Act 1993, a Development Plan may designate a place as aplace of local heritage if-

(a) it displays historical, economic or social themes that are of importance tothe local area; or

(b) it represents customs or ways of life that are characteristic to the localarea; or

(c) it has played an important part in the lives of local residents; or

(d) it displays aesthetic merit, design characteristics or constructiontechniques of significance to the local area; or

(e) it is associated with a notable local personality or event; or

(f) it is a notable landmark in the area. (Section 23)

The Statement of Significance for Sauerbier House criteria a, b, e and f above. Thekey threshold for each criteria is local importance.

Criterion c, an important part in the lives of local residents may apply to theimmediate riverfront locality but not to Sauerbier House itself. The physicalproximity of the recreation activities to Sauerbier House cannot be considered astrong association.

4.4 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

The consultants recommend that:

1 Sauerbier House should be included by the City of Onkaparinga in theLocal Heritage Schedule in the Development Plan at the next HeritagePlanning Amendment Report (PAR).

2 The City of Onkaparinga recommend to the State Heritage Authoritythat Sauerbier House be removed from the State Heritage Register(Section 24, Heritage Act 1993) following local heritage listing of theplace.

3 The whole of Lots 10 and 11, the house, the outbuilding and the postand rail fence be identified in the local heritage list.

4 The European heritage value of the river front, the timber bridge pilesand the levee bank be recognised by the City of Onkaparinga.Development of or affecting this precinct should take account of theseheritage values as well as their contribution as part of the setting forSauerbier House.

The practical effect of this change is that Development Approval for futuremanagement of the place will be managed by Council as the DevelopmentAuthority without statutory reference to the Minister for Heritage.



The conservation policies and recommendations that follow are based on theStatement of Significance rather than the present state heritage listing.



5 CONSERVATION POLICYThis section sets out policies for the protection, conservation and management ofSauerbier House and its setting. The policies are based on an understanding of thelocal heritage value of the place.

Use of these policies as a guide to all short and long term decisions affecting thesite, from maintenance to major works, both on and adjacent the property willensure that its heritage value is protected.

The ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance (TheBurra Charter: Appendix III) sets out a range of acceptable conservation processesbased around key concepts of maintenance, preservation, restoration,reconstruction and adaptation. In this report, these terms are used as defined inArticle 1 of the Burra Charter. These terms are shown in bold type.

Conservation Objectives and Policies are in italic type. Explanatory material is innormal type.

Specific recommendations for each building element are provided in the Scheduleof Current Condition and Conservation Recommendations (Appendix I). Referenceshould be made to the Conservation Objectives, Policies and Schedules before anydecisions affecting Sauerbier are made.

5.1 CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES

Objective 1 Sauerbier House should be conserved to protect its keyheritage values of association, aesthetic values, socialthemes, landmark and locality values on behalf of the localcommunity for present and future generations.

Objective 2 The external form of Sauerbier House should be conservedand where compromised reconstructed to reflect its characterwhen constructed ca1897.

Objective 3 The internal room layout and fabric of Sauerbier Houseshould be retained and preserved to reflect its domesticcharacter.

Objective 4 A stable, long term and compatible use should be found forSauerbier House.

Objective 5 The original stone outbuilding should be preserved, restoredand maintained. A new compatible use should be found toensure its ongoing maintenance.

Objective 6 The post and rail fence should be conserved and reconstructedwhere missing to its extent ca 1887.

Objective 7 The relationship of Sauerbier House to its locality should berestored by development of a more open and appropriategarden style. Planting that is not significant and that doesnot enhance the character or aesthetic values of theproperty should be removed. New planting should be ofspecies in keeping with the ca 1887 character of theproperty.



Objective 8 Any development within the site and the adjoining localityshould protect or restore the setting and views of SauerbierHouse. Views and vistas should reinstate the importantvisual connection of the House to the wider locality andlandscape.

Objective 9 The heritage values of Sauerbier House should beinterpreted and promoted.

Objective 10 The management, use, adaptation and care of SauerbierHouse by the City of Onkaparinga should demonstrate bestconservation practice.

5.2 CONSERVATION POLICIES

Use

5 Residential use should be maintained until new uses are established. Thehouse should not be left vacant.

The present integrity of Sauerbier House can largely be attributed to continuousresidential use, for which the building provides a good fit.

Residential use provides a high level of security of the site against vandalism.Damage and loss of integrity at Sauerbier was rapid when it was vacant in the1980s.

6 Proposed new uses should be carefully assessed for likely impact onthe heritage values.

7 Sauerbier House should to be accessible to the community.

Sauerbier House is a community owned heritage asset. A firm sense of communityownership can only develop when the building and site are accessible and used.Uses associated with the recreational use of the precinct may be appropriate,subject to their likely impact.

8 Uses for Sauerbier should capitalise on its key location within theriverfront precinct, and proximity to the Onkaparinga River.

9 Uses should be compatible with a more open landscape and views.

6 User groups should have an awareness of the heritage value of thebuilding and garden and demonstrate a commitment to its care.

The day to day responsible use and care for any building is central to its long termsurvival and protection. Users are often in the best position to identify and respondto damage or risks to the building integrity and fabric.

7 New uses for Sauerbier House should be stable and long term.

Each change of use puts pressure for adaptation on heritage buildings. There is arisk with many changes of use that the integrity of the building will be lost througherosion of original fabric.

8 New uses should generate after hours and weekend activity.

The casual surveillance provided by building and precinct users provides a highdegree of personal and property security.



9 New uses should not dominate or overwhelm the heritage values of thesite.

10 New uses should closely fit the rooms and circulation of the house.

There are no large spaces in the house. The four main rooms are of a similar sizeand quality. These rooms will only suit small user groups. The separate roomsprovide opportunities for privacy or separate group activities.



11 New buildings on the site should be separate from existing buildingsand limited to the location indicated on the Landscape Policy Plan.New buildings should not imitate the style of existing buildings, norbe visually intrusive upon them.



Any new buildings should not be larger in floor area than the house and should notrender existing buildings redundant.

12 Redevelopment or replacement of the lean-to to support new uses,should be limited to lightweight, lean-to additions in keeping withthe style of the house. Any such addition should be limited to thesame size and location of the present lean-to.

13 The four main rooms should be actively used.

Ancillary uses such as storage should where possible be located outside of thefour main rooms, either under the back verandah, off-site or in new buildings.

14 Uses should where possible make integrated use of the house, gardenand outbuilding.

Separate uses and users for the house, outbuilding and garden are more likely toresult in ad hoc and uncoordinated change to the detriment of integrity of the place.

Adaptation

Adaptation means modifying a place to suit proposed new uses.

15 Adaptation of the original building to meet changing community needsis acceptable where it does not substantially detract from its heritagevalue.

16 Adaptation should minimise physical intervention to the original fabricand should wherever possible be reversible.

17 Adaptation resulting in visible changes should be confined to areas ofleast significance, such as the lean-to at the rear of the house.

Exterior

18 Original external finishes, materials and architectural details should becarefully conserved and maintained. These elements are outlined in 2.3Property Development.

19 Maintenance work and repairs should utilise materials, details andconstruction methods matching those of 1897.

20 Original fabric should wherever possible be conserved rather thanreplaced with new.

21 Unpainted masonry should not be painted, sealed or graffiti protected.Repairs should be with soft lime mortar.

Verandah

22 The verandah should be reconstructed to its original form and details.Refer to 2.3 Property Development.

23 The back verandah should be restored if the service facilities areremoved (see below).

24 Disruptive tree roots should be cut out of the verandah footings and thestonework made good.



25 The gable above the front door, the cast iron lacework the non-originalverandah posts and the timber post trims should be reconstructed.

26 External paint colours should be based on paint scrapes establishingthe original colour scheme.

Access

27 The main entrance to the house should remain at the front door.

28 Ramps if required should be located in least significant and leastvisually intrusive location.

Public use will require provision for ramped access to the main rooms. Smallramps may be necessary to achieve this, either where there is a step at theback door, or onto the verandah. Where the verandah is used ramp(s) shouldbe on the side rather than the front verandah. The location and floor level ofsanitary facilities will also affect ramp location.

Equality of access requirements for public buildings can conflict with heritagevalues. The building owner is required to consider the Building Rules, theDisability Discrimination Act and the Development Act.

Interior

29 Serviceable original internal finishes, materials and architecturaldetails should be carefully conserved and maintained. These elementsare outlined in 2.3 Property Development.

30 Maintenance work and repairs should utilise materials, details andconstruction methods matching those of ca 1897.

31 Original fabric should wherever possible be conserved rather thanreplaced with new.

32 Original fireplaces should be preserved.

33 Internal colours should reflect the era of construction. Doors, windows,architraves and skirtings should be painted.

34 New joinery should be trimmed around existing skirtings andarchitraves.

Sanitary Facilities

35 Sanitary facilities should be reviewed against user needs and BCArequirements for proposed uses

36 The sub-standard bathroom and facilities on the western verandahshould be removed or redeveloped.

37 New facilities may be constructed in the same location but only if theyare not larger than the existing verandah infill.

38 Wet area facilities should not be located within the four main rooms.

Wet areas require irreversible changes to the building fabric and integrity, andservices are often intrusive. Where larger numbers or spaces for facilities arerequired these should be detached from the house.



Services

The provision of new services often has the most impact on heritage buildings.Proposed systems and services should be carefully evaluated against theadaptation policies.

39 New or upgraded services and systems shall be selected and installedto minimise visual intrusion.

40 New building services should be fully concealed from view. Externalservices and infrastructure should be underground or otherwiseconcealed. Internal services should be located in areas of lowsignificance. Areas of high significance are the four main rooms, andthe verandahs to the front and sides.

41 Existing intrusive surface mounted services should be removed.

42 The open fireplaces should be restored. They may be made serviceableand safe for use subject to council policy.

43 Air conditioning if required should be split system reverse cycle.External units should be at ground level, away from the building andscreened from view. All connecting services should be concealed.

44 Rain water tanks if required should be traditional corrugatedgalvanised iron on a stone or brick base. They should be located in thesame position as the remnants of existing tanks, between the verandahand the brick outbuilding.

Security

45 Electronic security should be maintained.

46 Physical security installations should be avoided or unobtrusive.

Security screens to door and windows for example are not acceptable.

Stone Outbuildings

47 New uses for the stone outbuilding should be compatible with its morefragile fabric.

48 The stone walls should be stabilised, damp proofed (injected withliquid DPC), and repointed.

49 The roof should be replaced with unpainted heavy galvanised iron,Gutters, downpipes and stormwater disposal should be provided.

The stone outbuilding is an important part of the place. The above work isurgently needed to retard deterioration and prevent its loss. An active use forthe building is needed to ensure its care and justify the cost of repair.

Recent Buildings

50 The red brick outbuilding, pergola and storage shed should beremoved.

Curtilage

Refer Landscape Policy Plan



Curtilage refers to the area immediately adjacent to a building. For Sauerbierthis is the whole of Lots 10 and 11.

Post and Rail Fence

51 The remaining fabric of the post and rail fence should be preserved.

The risks to the remaining fabric are termites and vandalism. The fence postsshould be regularly inspected and treated to reduce the risk of termite attack.



52 Soil build-up at the base of posts should be removed.

The removal of soil and vegetation build-up should be considered as a highpriority as the current conditions increase the risk of termite attack andaccelerates deterioration.

53 Where the fence is missing it should be reconstructed using matchingmaterials and techniques to clearly define the heritage curtilage.

Where a physical barrier is not desirable, the posts only may be installed.

Garden

54 A landscape plan for the Sauerbier curtilage which is integrated withthe precinct redevelopment should be developed before siteworks areundertaken.

55 Trees which block views to and from Sauerbier should be removed.

This will include the palms inside the Saltfleet Street boundary and the thicketof river oaks. These views are listed below.

56 New trees should be carefully selected for the coastal environment andheritage associations. They should be carefully sited to retain theidentified views.

57 The hierarchy and definition of garden spaces close to the houseshould be retained.

58 The domestic front garden layout with side hedges, lawn and centralpath should be restored and reconstructed.

59 A simple palette of traditional low water use coastal garden plantsshould be used within the garden. Planting to the front garden shouldbe below fence height to retain views.

Garden planting should be commensurate to the maintenance resourcesavailable. Traditional hedging plants extant on the site such as wormwood orcoprosma would be appropriate.

60 Garden furniture should be simple and unobtrusive.

61 Provide serviceable, all weather surfaces for pedestrian and disabledaccess.

Small paths of bitumen spray seal with a light coloured stone chip andhardwood edging would be an appropriate finish.

Access

62 Vehicle access within the curtilage should be restricted to immediatebuilding users and building servicing.

63 Lots 10 or 11 should not be used for general carparking.

64 Pedestrian and general access to the site should be from the north,east or west.

The original access was from Saltfleet Street and the riverside. Direct accessfrom Wearing Street is undesirable because of its “back door“ quality.



New Building Development Opportunities

The western part of Lot 11 provides a limited opportunity for buildingdevelopment. This it the area between Sauerbier House and the storage shedon the corner. This area is at the rear of the property and therefore will havelittle impact on the areas of highest significance, namely the front façade andthe original approach, through the front garden. This location is set back fromthe house to maintain views from the house and verandahs to the riverside.

65 This opportunity introduces considerable flexibility into the future ofthe locality.

66 New building(s) may be developed on the western part of Lot 11 butonly if it:

• Supports compatible use for the house and stone outbuilding.

• Is set at least 6 metres from the house verandah.

• Protects views to the Onkaparinga River from the front and sideverandahs of the house

• Is of a high architectural design standard.

• Does not dominate or compete with the heritage building or curtilage.

• Relates to the scale and form of the heritage building but is identifiableas contemporary.

67 A covered link between any new building and Sauerbier may beacceptable if:

• It is non-intrusive, low key and has an ephemeral character

• Connects to the back verandah or back door of the house.

Precinct

The following policies relate to the riverfront precinct, where the management offuture development may impact on the heritage value of Sauerbier House.

68 Concept plans for the township and riverfront precinct should protectthe heritage value of Sauerbier House by reference to theConservation Policies in this Plan.

69 Council should review existing roadworks plans and liaise withDepartment of Transport where proposals conflict with the policies forthe Conservation Policies in this Plan.

Vistas

70 Views to and from Sauerbier should be recovered and protected byremoval of exiting trees and control of new planting. These viewsinclude:

• View over Sauerbier from the levee bank/ Wearing Street

• Distant view from Sauerbier to the Onkaparinga Valley and Sellicks Range inthe east / view to the west from Saltfleet Street to Sauerbier.

• View from Sauerbier front garden and verandah to Onkaparinga River.



71 The landmark Norfolk Island trees in the precinct should be retained.

Riverfront

72 The intrusive toilet block in the carpark blocks this view and should beremoved. Alternative public facilities should be provided, closer to theend of Wearing Street where they would retain accessibility but reducetheir intrusion upon the site.

73 The natural beach frontage to the carpark should be restored.

74 Remnants of the 1866 timber bridge should be preserved.

75 New buildings should be sited to protect the views identified above.

76 The siting, design, scale, massing and articulation of new buildingsshould be informed by the past buildings on the site.

Saltfleet Street

The present DRT roadworks will somewhat reduce the traffic intrusion on Sauerbier.However the detail design is important.

77 The Saltfleet Street road embankment should be pulled back at least 6metres from the post and rail fence and re-graded to provide a gentletransition.

78 Landscaping and infrastructure between the new roundabout andSauerbier should recover views.

79 Embankment planting should be below 800mm to provide somesoftening while allowing views.

Wearing Street

80 Redevelopment of Wearing Street should maintain a low key, ruraltownship character by careful selection of alignment, surface andinfrastructure.

81 Views to the Onkaparinga River should be retained.

Levee Bank

82 The levee bank adjacent to the stone outbuilding should remainlegible.

The levee bank provides a good pedestrian overview of the house curtilage and theriverfront.

Interpretation

83 Awareness of the historical and social significance Sauerbier Houseand the waterfront precinct should be promoted within the localcommunity.

84 The development of the building and precinct should be interpretedthrough interpretive signage.



85 Signage should be accessible but not visually intrusive. Graphicdesign, materials and finishes should be of high quality, robust, vandalresistant and durable.

This conservation plan and the historic photographs will provide the interpretivematerials for signage. The historic photos of the precinct should be included ininterpretive signage.

6 CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Conservation Plan

Objective 1 All persons making decisions which affect the fabric of theplace should:

Be made aware of the heritage value and listing of theplace.

Refer to this Conservation Plan

Objective 2 The Conservation Plan should be read together with theBurra Charter. Burra Charter principles should be appliedwhere the policies of the Conservation Plan do not provideguidance.

Objective 3 Over time this Conservation Plan should be reviewed toensure that it remains relevant. Changes to the historicfabric should be recorded and the information archived.

Adoption of the Conservation Plan

Objective 4 The Conservation Objectives and Policies contained in thisPlan should be adopted as City of Onkaparinga policy for themanagement of Sauerbier House.

Approvals

Objective 5 Council should develop administrative procedures to ensurethat all work affecting this local heritage place is flaggedand reviewed against the Development Plan and thisConservation Plan.

Objective 6 All proposed work should be reviewed and approved byCouncil’s Heritage Adviser.

A close working relationship between Council’s heritage, planning, assetmanagement, engineering, outdoor and maintenance authorities will assist inobtaining clear advice and timely approvals.

Development Approval

The Development Act defines development as:

(a) building work: or

(e) in relation to a State heritage place - the demolition, removal, conversion,alteration or painting of, or addition to, the place, or any other work that couldmaterially affect the heritage value of the place; or



(f) in relation to a local heritage place - the demolition, removal, conversion,alteration of, or addition to, the place or any other work (except painting) thatcould materially affect the heritage value of the place.

The above work requires formal Development Approval. Council would generally bethe development authority and this Conservation Plan should form the basis for anyassessment.

The present State heritage listing of Sauerbier House requires that developmentapplications be referred to the Minister for Heritage for comment.

If Sauerbier House becomes a local heritage place as recommended reference tothe Minister for Heritage for comment will not be required.

It is important to note that approval is not restricted to work affecting the physicalfabric of the building. Work that can materially affect the heritage value includeschanges to the setting and curtilage of the place such as roadworks, gardens,landscaping and new buildings within the vicinity.

Infrastructure work by private, State or Commonwealth service authorities whichaffects the setting of the building, may be development and should be referred forheritage advice.

Building Rules

The Development Act also requires that for building work:

where an inconsistency exists between the Building Rules and a Development Planin respect to a State heritage place or a local heritage place -

(a) the Development Plan prevails

(b) the relevant authority must modify the application of the Building Rules toavoid the inconsistency but so as also to ensure, so far as is reasonablypracticable, that standards of building soundness, occupant safety andamenity are achieved in respect of the development that are as good as canreasonably be achieved in the circumstances (Section 36 (3) Development Act1993).

Objective 7 Close liaison should be maintained between the Council’sheritage adviser, building surveyor and building assessmentstaff over BCA issues affecting the local heritage place.

Design and Documentation

Objective 8 Design and documentation of proposed works to theheritage place and gardens should be undertaken byprofessional consultants or staff with demonstrated expertisein heritage conservation.

Control of Work

Objective 9 Council should develop clear responsibility for monitoringand control of work by staff, contractors and volunteersaffecting the heritage place.

Minor work can be and often is planned without reference to broader policyobjectives. It therefore requires a high level of control and timely advice. Particularcare and control is needed where contract and sub-contract work is involved.Works by outdoor staff, which is typically not considered to affect the buildingshould also be reviewed. Work by volunteers should be carefully controlled.



Maintenance

Objective 10 The City of Onkaparinga should plan and budget for urgentworks and ongoing maintenance of this heritage place.Urgent works are the re-roofing and stabilization of the stoneoutbuildings.

Conservation Priorities

The following work in order of priority is recommended on conservation benefitgrounds.

Indicative current construction cost estimate are provided. These costs are forconstruction costs only and exclude GST, professional fees or escalation. Fitoutand adaptation costs are excluded. Work outside of Lots 10 and 11 is excluded.

URGENT WORK

• Liaison with DRT no cost

• Review of precinct masterplan no cost

• Stabilisation of stone outbuilding $15,000 $20,000

NON URGENT WORK

• Interpretive signage. $1,500 $2,000

• Post and rail fence $12,500 $14,500

• Siteworks and garden $6,000 $8,500

• Verandah restoration $7,000 $9,000

• Interior redecoration $3,000 $5,000

• Reconstruct sanitary facilitiesunder back verandah $18,000 $20,000

Total cost range $63,000 $76,000

b i t a b l e p l a c e s a r c h i t e c t s

a u e r b i e r h o u s e c o n s e r v a t i o n p l a n © 2 0 0 1 66

REFERENCES

ENDNOTES

1. Self Guided Walk To Historic Port Noarlunga, Noarlunga Library Local History Section,1988.

2. R. Cockburn South Australia - What’s in a Name? Historically Significant Place Names .Axiom Publishing. (first published 1908) this edition 1990. Pg.160.

3. Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979

4. Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979

5. Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979, pg 27.

6. Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979, pg 27.

7. The Cyclopedia of South Australia – Vol. II. Originally printed by Hussey and Gillingham,Adelaide. Pub. The Cyclopedia Company, Adelaide 1909.

8. Land Grant, 10th May 1869. Refer to Appendix II

9. Notes by K. Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

10. Register of State Heritage Items Evaluation Sheet.

11. Notes by K Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

12. Conversation with Mr G.K. Sauerbier of Moana 8-7-83. Notes Paritas.

13. Industries of the South East of South Australia – Gilberson, ref Paritas.

14. Self – Guided Walk to Historic Port Noarlunga.

15. Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1885.

16. The Cyclopedia of South Australia – Vol. II. Originally printed by Hussey & Gillingham,Adelaide. Republished by the Cyclopedia Company, Adelaide 1909.

17. McLaren Vale Sea and Vines , Barbara Santich,1998 , p276

18. Notes by K Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

19. Certificate of Title

20. Conversation with Vanessa Catteril 17th September 1999

21. Self – Guided Walk to Historic Port Noarlunga, p14

22. Heritage SA file

23. Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Cultural Significance Australia ICOMOS 1988.

SOURCES

Heritage South Australia.

Heritage South Australia: State Heritage Register Item Evaluation Sheet

Australia ICOMOS, The Illustrated Burra Charter, 1992.

Lands Titles Office, Grenfell Street, Adelaide.



APPENDIX I

SCHEDULE OF CONDITION & RECOMMENDATIONS



SCHEDULE OF CONDITION ANDRECOMMENDATIONS

Schedule of the conditions as inspected in December 1999 and conservation recommendationsare outlined below..

Refer to 1999 Floor Plan for room number references.

HOUSE

ELEMENT DESCRIPTION CONDITION RECOMMENDATIONS

FloorsRooms 1, 2, 3,4, 5 & Kitchen

Floors are generally originaland of suspended tongue andgroove baltic pine boards,clear finished.

Floors are exposedthroughout and generally ingood condition. There ishowever, some damage tothe floorboards in theRoom 3 by the hearth.

Replace boards inRoom 3 as required.

Refinish as required.

Verandahs The verandah runs along theNorth, East and South sides ofthe house, and is constructedof concrete slabs on abluestone foundation. TheWest verandah has beenconverted into a lean-to with anew concrete floor at groundlevel, (approximately 300mmbelow the floor finished level).This is not the originalverandah which was eithertimber construction or thin bedconcrete and was continuousaround all sides of thebuilding.

An older section of concretefloor remains in the South –West corner of the verandah,by the kitchen. This concretemay be original. There is alsoevidence here of a small lean-to, which has since beenremoved.

The bluestone foundationis in poor condition, as arethe concrete slabs thathave shifted and cracked,due to tree roots andinsubstantial footings.The concrete slabs are notin keeping with the style ofthe house

The older section ofconcrete verandah is alsoin poor condition.

The concrete slabsshould be removedand replaced witheither a suspendedtimber floor, or with athin bed concrete.Remove roots fromfoundation and makegood.

The older section ofconcrete should bereplaced at the sametime as the rest of theverandah.

Rooms 6, 7,8 & 9.

Floors are concrete, with aslate tile finish.

Floors are in generallygood condition, althoughthe finish is not in keepingwith the style of the house

No conservation workrequired. Removal orreplacementdependant upon theintended use.



WallsMain House(Rooms 1, 2, 3,4, 5 & Kitchen)

Both internal and externalwalls are of 300mm stoneconstruction. External wallswith red brick plinth, sills,quoins, string course andtrims.

Internal walls are plastered,with either a painted orpapered dado. Generally thedado is trimmed with a freeze,as well as a chair rail in thefront hall. The plaster isgenerally original however thepaper finishes, and dado arenot.

The molded plaster arch andcornices in the front hall,Room 2, are original featuresof the house.

There are high level cast ironvents in all rooms and lowerlevel terracotta vents whichpossibly vent the sub floorspace.

Vents that may exist below theverandah level would beobstructed by the concreteslabs.

External walls are ofgenerally good conditionwith little evidence of risingdamp. There is someminor saltdamp in thenorth-east corner of thekitchen. Minor cracking isevident along the southernend of the east wall andsome marking due tograffiti removal along thenorthern wall. Cementpatching has been carriedout along the lower part ofthe east wall.

Internal plasterwork isgenerally sound. Wall-paper is in good condition.

Wall papers, friezes & dadoare not in keeping with thestyle of the house.

Plaster arch and cornicesare in good condition.

High level vents are ingood condition as arelower vents. Low vents andany sub-floor vents alongthe west wall however havebeen obstructed by thelight-weight walls of thelean-to, and by slate tilingthat runs along the base ofthe wall.

Repair and makegood cracked andmarked areas.Remove cementpatching from eastfaçade and re-pointwith a lime basedmortar to matchexisting.

Internally, removewallpapers and trims,take scrapings todetermine originalpaint coloursgenerally.

Maintain originalplaster mouldings,paint to match newcolour scheme.

Sub floor ventilationmay be improved bythe removal/redevelopment of thelean-to and removal ofthe concreteverandah, installationof a new timberverandah floor andopening of air vents.

Lean-to(Rooms 6, 7, 8& 9)

Walls are of light-weight timberframed construction,supported by original timberverandah posts which havebeen altered and supported bygalvanized iron brackets.External cladding is paintedcorrugated iron and internallinings are pine wall panelingto dado height, withplasterboard above.

Light-weight walls are inreasonable condition,although internal finishesare not in keeping with thestyle of the original house.

Cut back and makegood wall finisheswhere they obstructvents in the westernwall of the mainhouse.

Redevelopment /removal of the lean-tois dependent uponany alterations to thesanitary facilities.



Chimneys There are two brick chimneys.The southern one is originalwhile the one to the north wasrebuilt in 1992 from salvagedbricks, after the original wasknocked down. Both were re-pointed at the time.

Both chimneys are in goodstructural condition,although the constructionof the southern chimney isnot of equivalent standard.Some cream bricks havebeen used and the splaycorner bricks are not even.Both require re-pointing.

Re-build northchimney using bricksof colour and profile tomatch original, (maysalvage some)Re-point and stabilizesouth chimney asrequired.

CeilingsMain House Ceilings are of lath and plaster

and are generally intactthroughout the building. Theceiling of Room 5 has had anew sheet battened ceilinginstalled below the original.Original ceiling roses hadbeen retained in Rooms1, 2and 3. The ceiling rose inRoom 4 is not original.

Ceilings are generally ingood condition. There issome minor damage dueto steam over the sink inthe kitchen, and cracks inRoom 4 which have beentemporarily concealed withtape.

Remove new ceilingfrom Room 5, repairand make goodoriginal lath andplaster. Removeceiling rose fromRoom 4 and makegood ceiling. Repairand repaint damagedceiling in kitchen.

Lean-to Ceilings are of plasterboardwith access holes to verandahroof space.

Good condition. No renovation workrequired. Removal /redevelopmentdependant upon use.



JoineryMain House Moulded timber skirtings,

architraves and sills areoriginal and have beenstripped to bare wood andthen clear finished.

None of the doors are original,but are salvaged doors fromother building.

Original double hung sasheshave been removed andreplaced with new.

Lead-light side lights andcoloured fanlights to the frontdoor are not original.

Fanlight over back door hasbeen replaced.

Front and back doorsteps areoriginal clear finishedhardwood.

The position of the built-incupboard next to the fireplacein the kitchen is original, as isevident by the fact that the walland skirting behind have neverbeen painted. The doorshowever are new. It is notknown if a matching cupboardfrom the other side of thefireplace has been removed.

Skirtings, architraves andsills are in structurally goodcondition although thesurfaces have beendamaged by the strippingprocess. The finish is notin keeping with the era ofthe house.

Doors do not fit tightly intheir frames and in somecases are damagedhowever they areserviceable. Doorhardware to the secondbedroom and kitchen isdamaged.

Sashes match existing andare in good condition.

Sidelights and fanlights arein good condition althoughoriginal trims have beendamaged and falsebeading installed.

Fanlight trims have beenremoved.

Doorsteps are in goodcondition, although thefinish is worn.

Remove clear finishand paint skirtings,architraves and doors

If possible doorsshould be replacedwith doors of properfit and thickerconstruction. The frontdoor should also bereplaced to preventdraughts.

Replace lead-lightwith etched/stenciledglass, strip falsebeading and reinstatetrims to matchoriginal.

Reinstate fanlighttrims over back door.

Sand and oil finishdoorstep.



Fire-places There are fireplaces in each ofthe original rooms. Fireplacesin Rooms 1 and 3 have timberfire surrounds and cast irongrates, which are not original.The kitchen mantle may beoriginal and has been strippedand given a waxed finish. Thefireplace in Room 4 bedroomis missing its fire surround,and grate. The slate hearth inthe Room 1 has been covered,or replaced by mosaic tiles.Original slate hearths havebeen retained in the otherfireplaces.

The fire surrounds are ingood condition generally,although the ones inrooms 1 and 3 are not inkeeping with the house’scharacter and do not fitproperly.

Slate hearths havedropped in the Kitchen andRoom 4.

Locate salvaged firesurrounds and gratesof appropriate era andsize and installRooms 1, 3 and 4.Remove tiles fromRoom 1 hearth andrepair or replace slatehearth.

Relay hearths inKitchen and Room 4to match floor level.

Verandahs The verandah originally hadstop-chamfered posts, withcapitals, egg moulds and castiron corner lacework brackets.These posts were removedfrom the east side of thehouse when the roof wasreplaced. Some original postshave been used in the pergolastructure built on the westside. The new posts are notchamfered or detailed tomatch the original. Postsalong the other three sides areoriginal. However the posts’bases have been sawn off andthey are now supported bygalvanized brackets.

Original fascias have beenretained and all areserviceable.

The bull-nosed verandah roofis of relatively new corrugatedred colorbond construction.

The original posts havebeen sawn off at the baseand they now stand toohigh above the floor. Thebrackets on which theystand are not in keepingwith the era or character ofthe house. Posts along thesouth side may have beendamaged by theconstruction of the lean-to,which they support.All the capitals, eggmoulds and lacework havebeen removed sometimeafter 1983.

Fascia along the southside has been cut in twoplaces. Possibly toaccommodate otherstructures.

Verandah roof and guttersare in good condition.However the material is notin keeping with the style ofthe house.

Install stop-chamfered postsalong the east side tomatch original.Replace other postsas necessary, stopchamfered to matchoriginal. Removeexisting brackets andsupport posts withgalvanized pinsinserted into base.Reinstate capitals,egg moulds andbrackets to matchoriginal, refer tophotographs fordetails.

Repair or replacedamaged fascia.Paint finish.

Replace verandahroof with bullnoseunpainted heavygalvanised iron at theend of the currentroofs life.



Roof The roof and gutters werereplaced at the same time asthe verandah roof and is ofcorrugated red colorbond.

Fascias, brackets and bargesare original and intact.

Roof and gutters are ingood condition. Howeverthe material is not inkeeping with the style of thehouse.

Fascias and barges are ingood condition, with someminor, warping andsplitting. Brackets are ingood condition.

Replace verandahroof with bullnoseunpainted heavygalvanised iron at theend of the currentroofs serviceable life.Replace Gutters withgalv. at the end of theirlife.Sand and re-fixbarges and fasciasas necessary andrepaint. .

Paint brackets.

Services Wiring is generally chasedinternally, externally it issurface mounted in conduits ofvarious ages. The distributionboard is located on the northwall.

Light and electrical fittings arenot original.

Downpipes are colorbond, ofthe same age as the roof.

Electrical services notsurveyed.There is no safety switch orsmoke alarms fitted.The position of distributionboard and exposedservices are intrusive,

Light and electrical fittingsare not in keeping with thestyle of the house.

Roof plumbing is in goodcondition. There is nostorm water disposal andwater is discharged directlyonto the ground next to thehouse.

Inspect electricalinstallations andrepair or replace asnecessary.

Relocate distributionboard to the backverandah or to wall ofredeveloped lean-to.Rationalize exposedwiring and runthrough a single, rigidconduit to thedistribution board.Paint both conduit anddistribution-boardcover.

Replace light andelectrical fittings withthose in keeping withthe style of the house.

Provide storm-waterdisposal away frombuildings, to eithersoakage pits or tomains stormwater ifavailable.

OUTBUILDINGS




Floor The floor of the vehicle shed isconcrete with stone footings.The floor of the WC isconcrete. There is a dirt floorin the skillion shed.

The concrete floor andstone footings are inserviceable condition.

No work requiredunless use changed.

Walls The walls are of stoneconstruction with brick piers atthe openings.

The interior walls of the shedhave been troweled with a limeplaster, while those in the WChave been plastered.

The chicken coop is onlywalled on three sides, the eastside is open, but for chickenwire.

The stonework is generallyin good condition. Thenorthern brick pier requiresre-pointing, as do someareas of stonework. Thenorth-eastern corner andthe south-eastern cornerboth require stonework tobe repaired.Trees are damaging thewestern wall and need tobe removed.

The interior walls are inreasonable condition.

There are some cracks onthe north and south wallsof the shed, as well as thenorth wall of the chickencoop.

Re-point and repairstone as required.

Remove soil buildupfrom around thebuilding.

Remove trees.

Lime-wash theinterior walls of theshed and WC

Ceilings There is an original lath andplaster ceiling in the WC, butno ceiling in the shed orchicken coop.

The lath and plaster ceilingis severely damaged bymoisture and collapsing.

Remove ceiling, donot replace.

Joinery The double timber doors to theshed are original and intact.The door to the WC however ismissing.

Barges and fascias are largelymissing.

The doors are inreasonable condition. Theyfoul on the ground as thehinges are loose and soilhas buildup around theentrance.

Barges and fascias wherenot missing are in poorcondition.

Brace doors internallyas required andadjust or replacehinges as necessaryto ensure ease ofoperation. Removesoil build-up fromaround entrance.

Where existingbarges and fasciasare in good repair, re-fix in place, or wheremissing or damaged,replace to matchexisting.



Roof The corrugated galvanized ironroof is original and bears thestamp of the manufacturer.The gable ends are horizontalcorrugated iron, painted. Thegutters are small profile OG.The roof structure is a simpletrussed gable constructed ofrafters, hanging beams crossbeams and purlins.

The roof structure of thechicken coop is a low pitchedskillion.

The iron roof isunserviceable and iscontributing to thedeterioration of the stonewalls and timber. Thegutters are rusted through,and down pipes missing.

The roof structure of thevehicle shed and WC are ingenerally good conditionalthough deterioration ofthe roof puts it in danger ofwater damage.

Gable ends are comingloose.

The skillion roof structureis unserviceable

Replace roof withunpainted heavygalvanised iron.Replace Gutters withsmall profile ogeegalvanised gutters.Replace down pipes,galvanised.Sand and re-fixbarges and fasciasas necessary andrepaint. .

Repair or replace thegable end cladding.

Replace skillion roofstructure to matchexisting.

SITE


Fences Photographic evidence showsthat a post and rail fence ranaround the entire property atleast as early as 1910.

Substantial sections remainalong the northern and easternboundaries of the property andby the gate on the westernboundary. 400mm diameterstrainer posts mark eachcorner, except the southwestern.

A low perma-pine barrier runsalong the southern boundary,and a wire fence runs alongthe western boundary. Ascreen fence constructed fromsheets of corrugated ironsalvaged from the original bull-nosed verandah runs along inline with the end of thepergola.

The fence is in poorcondition as many rails,and a number of posts, aremissing. . It is also almostburied along the northernboundary due to a build-upof soil from road works etc.

The perma-pine fence isserviceable, but is out ofcharacter with the setting.

The corrugated iron fenceis a recent addition and ispoor condition.

The buildup of soiland vegetation aroundthe fence should beremoved.Missing posts andrails replaced tomatch existing.

Remove the perma-pine fence.

The corrugated ironfence should beremoved.



Trees The eastern boundary isdefined by a row of AlexandraPalm trees.

Two Norfolk Island Pinesdefine the edge of the frontgarden. The front garden isalso defined to the north andsouth by a coprosma hedgewhich gives the garden aformal framework.

An informal line of fourLagunaria screens the back ofthe house from the road.

There is a wormwood hedgealong the north westernboundary, which defines theproperty boundary.

An old Tamarisk in thesoutheastern corner appearsto be the parent tree of thegrove of smaller Tamarisksthat fill the southern end of theproperty, screening the gardenfrom the car-park and river.

Three of these trees arehealthy but at least one isdead.

The hedge is broken in anumber of areas whereplants have been removed.It is overgrown.

The Lagunaria are in goodcondition.

The hedge is in goodcondition, although a littleovergrown but requires nowork.

Remove palms

The hedge should bereplanted to fill thegaps, and prunedlower to retain asense of formality.

Retain the wormwoodhedge and renovate.

Retain this tree.

Edging Some rough limestone edgingremains around the hedge infront of the house.

Most of the edging ismissing, or buried,although some stonesappear to have beenmoved to border the drive-way.

Collect the stones thathave been moved andreplace them as aborder to the frontgarden to restore asense of formality tothe layout.

Paths There are no hard pavedpaths, the driveway iscompacted oil with somegravel.

Paths are serviceable,although not all-weather.

Use gravel pathsgenerally and lightlysealed paths foraccess.



Structures There is a large modern steelshed built in the south-westerncorner of the property which isnot in keeping with thecharacter of the property.

The domestic outbuildingclosest to the house is a smallbrick shed with timberwindows and a barbecue tothe North. This is not original.

The old rainwater tank, withstone foundation lies betweenthe house and brickoutbuilding, next to the newtank that is temporarilysupported by a galvanized pipestructure.

The shed is in goodcondition, it is not inkeeping with the style of thebuilding.

The brick out building hassevere structural cracking,is intrusive and is not inkeeping with the style of theoriginal outbuildings.

Remove the shedfrom the property andrelocate storageelsewhere.

Remove this building

Remove old tank andmake necessaryrepairs to stonefoundation. Move newtank to use stonefoundation, rationalizedown-pipes.



APPENDIX II

CERTIFICATES OF TITLE



APPENDIX III

THE BURRA CHARTER



APPENDIX IVMEASURED DRAWINGS



1 R. Cockburn South Australia - What’s in a Name?

Historically Significant Place Names. AxiomPublishing. (first published 1908) this edition 1990.Pg.160.

2 Self Guided Walk To Historic Port Noarlunga, NoarlungaLibrary Local History Section, 1988.

3 Lita Martella, 1999

4 Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979

5 Noarlunga Heritage Survey 1979, pg 27.

6The Cyclopedia of South Australia – Vol. II. Originallyprinted by Hussey and Gillingham, Adelaide. Pub.The Cyclopedia Company, Adelaide 1909.

7 Land Grant, 10th May 1869. Refer to Appendix III

8 Notes by K. Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

9 Register of State Heritage Items Evaluation Sheet.

10 City of Happy Valley Hertiage Survey, prepared byHassell Planning Consultants Pty Ltd, February 1988

11 Notes by K Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

12 Self – Guided Walk to Historic Port Noarlunga.

13 Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1885.

14 Industries of the South East of South Australia –Gilberson, ref Paritas.

15 Conversation with Mr G.K. Sauerbier of Moana 8-7-83.Notes Paritas.

16 The Cyclopedia of South Australian’s – Vol. II. Originallyprinted by Hussey & Gillingham, Adelaide.Republished by the Cyclopedia Company, Adelaide1909.

17 McLaren Vale Sea and Vines , Barbara Santich,1998 ,p276

18 Notes by K Paritas, Heritage SA, June 1983.

19 Certificate of Title

20 Conversation with Vanessa Catteril 17th September1999

21 Self – Guided Walk to Historic Port Noarlunga, p14

22 Heritage SA file

23Guidelines to the Burra Charter: Cultural SignificanceAustralia ICOMOS 1988.

Sauerbier Homestead Conservation Plan - City of Onkaparinga

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Transcript of Sauerbier Homestead Conservation Plan - City of Onkaparinga