VPRS 17299 Building Application Card Index (refer to VPRS 11202 microfiche copy)

Full description

This index was created to provide access to VPRS 11200 Building Application Plans and VPRS 11201 Building Application Correspondence Files.

There are separate sequences, one for central business district addresses and one for outer areas (suburban ).

Each index card has two sides on which different information may be recorded.

Side 1: address of the property (street name and number), date; references: application number, miscellaneous [files] references and Town Clerks [files]; value of the works; and, particulars.

Side 2: address of the property (street name and number); factories: F.A. number, nature of business; electric signs: B.A. number, licence, type; petrol, etc.: B.A. number, gallons; residential area, business registered; subsequent changes: application number, business approved.

Blank cards: There are cards for addresses on which there are no building application numbers or any other information at all - except the address (e.g. aBeckett Street 2/10).

The original card index was microfilmed (16 mm) as a back-up to the card index in 1993 by Australian Microfilm Services. A City of Melbourne internal memo (file 47/5/8; dated 23 August 1993) indicates that two generations of film were made. One film was converted into jacketed microfiche. The other was to be held in the Melbourne City Council Archives and was intended for use to make more copies if necessary.

The original card index VPRS 17299 was updated up until 1998 as necessary to incorporate new building applications. It was in regular use for reference as well.

From 1994 to 1998 entries in the index relate to building applications registered in an annual single number sequence rather than the single number sequence that was used from 1916 to 1994.

A computer-based index has been maintained since (circa) 1993, but it does not contain pre-1993 information.