This thesis attempts to address the problem within heritage areas that has
arisen as a result of the widespread municipal amalgamations across
Victoria over recent months. The problem is one of inconsistency in the
heritage quality of buildings that come under heritage control. This
inconsistency occurs when local government boundaries are altered so
that two areas, formerly under the control of two different local
governments, are joined to be administered by the same municipality. A
situation is therefore created whereby different urban conservation zones
within the same local government area have been established at various
times, for different reasons, and as a result of contrasting conservation
studies. Taking Ascot Vale and Flemington as an example of a heritage
area where these inconsistencies have surfaced as a result of a municipal
boundary change, this problem has been tackled by following a
systematic methodology. After a visual survey of the area, detailed
identification forms, notes and maps were completed, while photographs
were taken of the built form. From this research, statements of
significance were drafted. Based on these statements, suggestions were
made to extend current urban conservation zones and to create new zones
so as to include significant precincts outside existing zones.