The City of Port Phillip and South Melbourne specifically is home to three portable iron houses, prefabricated buildings that accommodated Melbourne’s rapid growth during the Gold Rush era.

This evening the City of Port Phillip joined the City of Yarra in launching a Coalition of Councils to support a World Heritage Listing for these houses. I joined Cr. Justin Halliday (Alma Ward) and Cr. Louise Crawford (Elwood Ward) in touring the houses and reinforcing the City of Port Phillip’s support for the World Heritage listing.

While South Melbourne originally had near 100 portable buildings, there is just three currently identified that remain, including one based in its original site on Coventry Street.

The Coalition of Councils helps amplify the voices calling for the preservation of this part of Melbourne’s history. The Iron Houses open the first Sunday of each month to visit. Further details are available at: Portable Iron Houses – National Trust