Building Highlight - Acton Cottages, Balmain Crescent & Liversidge Street

Building Australia's National University: 75 Years of the Australian National University

The area now known as the Liversidge Precinct was one of the earliest areas developed following the decision to establish Canberra as Australia's capital. 

Liversidge Street was one of the only pre-existing roads that Walter Burley Griffin included in his final plan of the nation’s capital and was originally known as Acton Road. 

During the early establishment of the Federal Capital, the Acton area was chosen as a base for administrative functions and for establishing housing for government employees and workmen. The Acton Cottages are examples of housing built between 1913 and 1929 during this early development phase.  

The houses were built in the areas of Liversidge Street and Balmain Crescent during the administrative periods of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee (FCAC) and Federal Capital Commission (FCC). The FCC oversaw the first period of sustained growth in Canberra and arranged for hundreds of temporary and permanent houses to be constructed. This area is now known as the Liversidge Precinct.  

Prior to the opening of the shops in Civic in 1927, the residents of the Acton area were largely self-sufficient, developing and maintaining vegetables gardens, fruit trees and chickens. Houses were equipped with wood-fire stoves and two or three galvanised-iron rainwater tanks.

Thomas Charles George Weston, Chief Afforestation Officer of the Territory from 1913, established Acton Nursery below the Government offices and over the following years added an experimental pine plantation and decorative, fruit and hedge species. Many of his experimental species were propagated at the Acton Nursery and the majority of the gardens and tree species found in early Acton were chosen or planted under his direct supervision. The Acton Nursery was moved to Yarralumla in 1915.

 

 

 

 

 

Not all the original Acton Cottages have survived. For example, the construction of the Acton Tunnel created the need to demolish cottages 4, 5 and 6 in 1976, 1969 and 1977 respectively. Of the cottages that remain, some have been extended and renovated for various uses, including as research centres, daycare centres and storage.  

 

References

Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, ANU Heritage Study: Acton Campus. Volume 1: Heritage Study, https://services.anu.edu.au/files/document-collection/Volume_1_of_the_ANU_Acton_Campus_Heritage_Study.compressed.pdf

Dexter, D 1991, The ANU Campus, Australian National University Press, Canberra. 

Banks, J & Gaardboe, M 1996, Building and Landscapes: the Australian National University, Canberra, ANU Divisions of Facilities and Services and Public Affairs, Canberra.   

 

Plan of Canberra produced by the Property and Survey Branch of the Interior showing Acton Cottages, 1933.

Plan of Canberra produced by the Property and Survey Branch of the Interior showing Acton Cottages, 1933.

House at 16 Balmain Crescent, Acton, June 1926. This house was occupied by William Norman Rouse, accountant for the Federal Capital Commission. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 1841).

House at 16 Balmain Crescent, Acton, June 1926. This house was occupied by William Norman Rouse, accountant for the Federal Capital Commission. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 1841).

House under construction, Balmain Crescent, Acton, March 1927. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 2793).

House under construction, Balmain Crescent, Acton, March 1927. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 2793).

Weatherboard cottage under construction, Balmain Crescent, Acton, April 1926. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 1700)

Weatherboard cottage under construction, Balmain Crescent, Acton, April 1926. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA: A3560, 1700)

The Mastery, 26 Balmain Crescent, Acton, May 1987 (ANUA226-149-92). Photographer: Pauline Hawke, ANU Photographic Services

The Mastery, 26 Balmain Crescent, Acton, May 1987 (ANUA226-149-92). Photographer: Pauline Hawke, ANU Photographic Services

Architect's drawing of 26 Balmain Crescent, "The Mastery". Photograph courtesy of Australian National University Drawing Office.

Architect's drawing of 26 Balmain Crescent, "The Mastery". Photograph courtesy of Australian National University Drawing Office.

Plan showing location of original Acton Cottages that still remain on the ANU Acton Campus, 2012.

Plan showing location of original Acton Cottages that still remain on the ANU Acton Campus, 2012.

Federal Capital Commission Tenancy Register for 7 Liversidge Street, Acton, 1922-1960. Photograph courtesy of ArchivesACT.

Federal Capital Commission Tenancy Register for 7 Liversidge Street, Acton, 1922-1960. Photograph courtesy of ArchivesACT.