Site_and_planning Kew_Asylum
engraving of kew asylum circa 1880. buildings of yarra bend asylum depicted in foreground. during 1850s, existing lunatic asylums of colony of victoria overcrowded. yarra bend asylum, while 6 years old, considered unsuitable , carlton lunatic asylum (which gaol) in state of disrepair. result, in 1854 government of colony of victoria commissioned report proposing sites , designs new lunatic asylum. contemporary educated opinion lunatic asylums should built on healthy site, freely admitting light , air, , drainage ...[on] gentle eminence in fertile , agreeable country . in report new south wales inspector of asylums, frederick norton manning stated site chosen of primary importance. on must depend comfort, happiness , health of inmates. hilltop site, across yarra river yarra bend recommended in report g.w. vivian of public works office. vivian described site as: a section of land, 400 acres in extent, situated on river yarra, 4 miles melbourne, , ½ a mile north of ...