Heritage listing set to spread to jam factory

By Tania Martin
THE former Monbulk Jam Factory is one of 23 additional sites set for protection under the heritage listing of the Shire of Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.
The shire’s heritage study began in July 2002 with more than 900 properties listed for possible heritage significance.
The process was split into two parts with the first being adopted in July last year when 260 sites were named as heritage listed.
Following this a panel appointed by Minister for Planning Rob Hulls recommended the approval of part two of the amendment.
Shire director of planning, building and health, James Amour-Reid, said the amendment would be sent to Mr Hulls for final approval.
Monbulk Historical Society president Jan Williams said she was happy to see the jam factory on the heritage register as the process has taken many years.
Ms Williams said the Monbulk Jam Factory, on the site of Garden City Plastics in Camms Road, Monbulk, was one of few relics from the early days that had not been destroyed by the 1913 fires.
The story of the factory began in the last 1800s when Daniel Camm grew berries on his land and, with other growers, experienced difficulties transporting his produce to city markets and factories.
Ms Williams said growers found their produce was damaged on the way to Melbourne so they started making pulp.
In 1909, Mr Camm developed a pulping plant where he tinned the pulp into large drums and transported it to markets and factories which was easier than delivering fresh produce.
The Monbulk Jam Factory expanded after the first and second world wars with many migrant workers taking advantage of the casual and part-time work, and the extra wages helped to give them a start in Australia.
The factory is now owned and operated by Graeme Wilson whose company makes plastic garden pots.
But Mr Wilson said he recognised the site’s almost 100 years of community history and said any further developments would be sympathetic to its heritage.
Other buildings on the register include the Chateau Wyuna in Swansea Road, Mt Evelyn, Weardale in Lawrence Road, The Patch, and Potters’ Cottage in Kerrs Lane, Belgrave South.