The Newport Substation was built in 1915 for
the purpose of converting electricity from AC (alternating current)
to DC (direct current) to electrify the suburban rail system in
the local area.
Its other purpose was as a switching station for electricity supplied
by the old Newport Power Station. Changes in technology precipitated
the removal of much of the original equipment at the Newport Substation.
In 1965 the Newport Tie Station was built, (the small brick building
at the southern end of the Newport Substation). This switching station
replaced the function of the Newport Substation and continues in
that role. After ceasing operations in 1967 the Newport Substation
was used for a brief time as the railways upholstery workshop, in
1969 the building was finally locked up. Most of the original equipment
had been removed in the preceding years.
Over the years that followed the building closure, vandals and
thieves entered the building and damaged or removed almost all of
the remaining electrical equipment and fittings. Almost every window
pane was broken, ceramic insulators were smashed for the copper
rods inside, lead flashing was removed from the roof, decorative
tiling removed from walls, original signs and anything of value
were stolen from the site. At various times between 1969-1996 people
were known to use the building as a squat.
By the 1990's the building had become derelict. The roof structure
had deteriorated and the downpipes blocked with asphalt. When it
rained it seeped through cracks in the roof and overflowed from
the blocked drains, flowing into the building. Water also penetrated
through the broken glass, rusting the steel window frames and causing
damage to the footings of the Newport Substation.
With broken glass, damaged fittings, rubbish and rubble everywhere,
many pigeons using the building and vandals constantly gaining access
and spraying graffiti everywhere, the Newport Substation had become
an eyesore both inside and out.
In 1996 two local residents, Nigel Edwards and Darren Williams developed the idea of restoring and adapting
the Newport Substation into a community arts facility. Over the
years that followed the two established an Incorporated Association
the "Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre" and secured a twenty-five
year lease on the building and the land surrounding it.
The association now has a committee of local
residents and many hundreds of members. It has gained the
support of all levels of government and from the wider community
including residents and business sponsors.
The Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre Inc.
embarked on its restoration program in March 2001 with a "Work
for the Dole" program in partnership with Victoria
University and supported by the Federal Government. This
program ran for nine months on a part-time basis. During that
time the site was cleaned and fall protection was installed
around the building.
In early 2002 the association was successful in securing funding
from the State Government to conduct a Community
Jobs Program. Hobsons Bay City Council also provided financial
and administrative support. The grant allowed the association to
employ twenty workers on a full time basis for sixteen weeks and
was conducted from May-September 2002.
Many restoration tasks were completed during this time. Power,
water and plumbing were reconnected and installed throughout the
building. The roof surface was cleaned and restored and included
the application of a waterproof membrane. Downpipes were cleaned
of debris and restored to working order. Glass was removed from
all windows, the steel frames removed, repaired, repainted and reinstalled.
New glass was installed to all window frames and mesh screens fabricated
and installed to protect the new glazing. All graffiti was removed
from the external brick and rendered surfaces.
The works program was a huge undertaking for a community organisation
and was managed and supervised solely by volunteer staff. The outcomes
achieved for both the participants and the completion of restoration
activities were substantial.
The Hobsons Bay Community Arts Centre will provide
a venue for the tuition, production and display of all facets of
the visual and performing arts - including music, dance and drama,
visual arts, writing, film and multimedia, heritage and crafts.
The building will incorporate galleries, studios, workshops,
performance space and a café. It will provide a facility
for the cultural development and expression of the local community. |
