Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01891:body:0:p51
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01891
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 147991–151170

colonies from 1788-1855.

KAVHA is important for its role in the evolution of the colonies of both Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales.
The buildings, archaeological remains and landforms of the First Settlement illustrate British convict settlement at the
beginning of European occupation of Australia.

The design and layout, buildings, archaeological remains, engineering works and landscaping of the KAVHA Second
Settlement (1825-1855) demonstrate the planning and operation of a nineteenth century penal settlement with a
very high degree of integrity.

KAVHA is an outstanding example of a place of severe punishment. It was purposefully established to be the
extreme element in the overall convict management system. Its aim was to create fear and prevent crime and re-
offending. It became known as 'hell in paradise' for its brutal and sadistic treatment of inmates and this reputation
spread beyond the colonies to Britain and ultimately served to fuel the anti-transportation debate. The Second
Settlement buildings and archaeological remains of the convict establishment, the New Gaol, the Prisoners'
Barracks, and the Crankmill demonstrate the harshness and severity of the treatment of convicts.

4.3.2 Criterion B—Rarity

Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) is uncommon as a place where a distinctive Polynesian/European
community has lived and practised their cultural traditions for over 150 years. Aspects of the Third Settlement period
including the artefacts, archives, Pitcairn language and ongoing use of the cemetery are of national significance.

4.3.3 Criterion C—Research

The KAVHA artefact collections, the buildings in their landscape setting, the archaeological remains and the
documentary records have significant potential to contribute to understanding the living and working conditions of
convicts, the military and civil establishment, women and children, and changes in penal practice and philosophy
during the span of convict transportation.

KAVHA has research potential to yield information on pre-European Polynesian culture, exploration and settlement
patterns.

Section 4: Heritage Values

Authorised Version F2016L01891 registered 09/12/2016

Jean Rice Architect | CONTEXT | GML Heritage

4.3.4 Criterion D—Principal Characteristics of a Class of Places

KAVHA demonstrates the principal characteristics of a longstanding penal settlement in its physical layout,
governance arrangements, the management and control of convicts, and the functional arrangements associated
with settlement.

It has substantial ruins, standing structures and archaeological sub-surface remains related to its operation as a
place of primary incarceration and early settlement, as a place of secondary punishment and finally as a place
spanning both incarceration and secondary punishment.

The 1829 Government House, one of the earliest and most intact remaining government house buildings in
Australia, is positioned prominently on Dove Hill with commanding views of the military precinct, colonial
administration, convict quarters, farmland and the pier. The military precinct on Quality Row contains two extant
barracks complexes: the Old