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Series VPRS
11201
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Building Application Files
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| Date Range: |
Series |
1916 - cont |
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Series in Custody |
1916 - 1960 |
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Contents |
1916 - 1960 |
| Public Access: |
Open |
| Location: |
North Melbourne |
| Format of Records: |
Physical |
  | Agency which created this SeriesAgency which created this Series |
| Agency currently responsible for this SeriesAgency currently responsible for this Series |
| Description of this SeriesDescription of this Series |
- How to use the Records
The building application correspondence files are arranged in building application number order.
Building application numbers can be obtained from the Building Application Index (VPRS 11202).
The index is divided into two parts: city and suburbs. It is arranged in alpha-numeric order by street address. Each card has all the relevant Building Application numbers on it and the type of work done. Make a note of the Building Application (BA) number, and then select the relevant unit from the Records Description List.
If you know the BA number there is no need to consult the index.
- Function / Content
This series contains the application and any correspondence between the owner and the Council generated in the process of a Building Application being approved.
Building plans are related to and form part of Building Application Files. Individuals or bodies were required to seek the approval of the Council to build a new building or to renovate an existing building. Building plans are part of the documentation that is submitted by the owner for the approval of the Council.
Prior to 1916 it was sufficient for an owner to notify the Council Building Surveyor of his or her intention to build. The notification consisted of a one page document. In 1915 building regulations were changed and subsequently owners were required to submit building plans and specifications which had to be approved by the Council.
Legislation
Municipalities were empowered under the Local Government Act 1915, s.198 to make by-laws regulating buildings, hoardings, etc. Under this legislation regulations could be made by councils in respect to the size of the buildings, the siting of buildings, the materials used in construction, and so on. Building regulations were covered in ensuing local government acts.
By-laws and regulations made by the Melbourne City Council may be found in VPRS 8911 Proceedings of Council Meetings, VPRS 9445 By-Laws, and VPRS 9446 Rules and Regulations.
- Recordkeeping System
The Building Application number governs the arrangement of files in this series.
When a building application was first received by the Councils Building Department, it was given an individual identification number that became the building application number. The building application number was a sequential number (1, 2, 3, etc.,) which followed on from year to year, prefixed by the letters BA.
Building application consisted of the application and plans. The application was filed separately from the building plans (see VPRS 11200). Although they were filed separately, the files and plans were both arranged in building application number order. All subsequent correspondence relating to a particular building application was filed under the relevant building application number.
At the time (1997) of the transfer of this series to the Public Record Office, staff of the Building Department did not know of the existence of any building applications registers from which the building application numbers have been allocated. Perhaps the next available number was allocated by reference to the last building application file on the shelf. (Note that there were some books (4 or 5) in the Building Department.which record the progress of building approvals. Entries were made in building application number order, with dates recorded on charts when approval was granted, letters were sent, final inspection made, if lapsed, etc. These books cover building application numbers 55441 to 67185 only.)
Integral to this recordkeeping system is the index, which is arranged in street address order. The index is divided into two parts: city and suburbs. The cards were arranged in alpha-numeric order by street name and property number.
The index cards include the building applications made in relation to each property, the date of the application and the monetary value of the works to be undertaken. Without reference to the index, it would be almost impossible to retrieve a building application for a particular property.
It is through the index that the user can identify the building application or applications (files and/or plans) for the property in which he or she is interested.
| More research resourcesMore research resources |
| Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers |
| Controlled SeriesControlled Series |
| Previous SeriesPrevious Series |
| Subsequent SeriesSubsequent Series |
| List/s of records in this seriesList/s of records in this series |
| Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers |
| More research resourcesMore research resources |
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