Customs House, Maryborough
| Customs House, Maryborough | |
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Customs House, Maryborough, 2008
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| Location | Richmond Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 25°32′18″S 152°42′20″E / 25.5384°S 152.7055°ECoordinates: 25°32′18″S 152°42′20″E / 25.5384°S 152.7055°E |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1899 |
| Architect | John Smith Murdoch |
| Official name: Customs House and Residence (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 7 February 2005 |
| Reference no. | 600709 |
| Significant period | 1899 (fabric) 1890s-1990s (historical) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - staff housing, garage, customs house |
 Location of Customs House, Maryborough in Queensland
Location of Customs House, Maryborough in Queensland
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The Maryborough Customs House is a heritage-listed former customs house at Richmond Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by John Smith Murdoch and built in 1899. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005.
The former Maryborough Customs House and associated residence was constructed in 1899 to the design of Queensland Department of Public Work's architect, John Smith Murdoch. The building replaced an earlier customs house and residence constructed in the 1860s.
The original township of Maryborough was situated, not in its current place, but on the north of the Mary River, after wharves were established there in 1847-8 providing transport for wool from sheep stations on the Burnett River. In 1850 Surveyor, Hugh Roland Labatt arrived in Maryborough with instructions to "examine the River Mary...to suggest ...the best site or sites for the laying out of the town, having regard to the convenience of shipping on one hand and internal communication on the other...also...point out the spots desirable as reserves for public building, church, quay and for places for public recreation." The site recommended by Labatt was not where the settlement was emerging but further east and from the early 1850s this is where the growing town developed.
With the separation of Queensland from the colony of New South Wales in 1859, Maryborough was declared a Port of Entry and a sub collector was appointed. As a port, the conditions of importing and exporting from Maryborough were subject to the control of the Queensland Customs Department. Taxation on goods entering and leaving the colony was an important source of revenue for the newly established Queensland Government and, accordingly, customs services were highly regarded and respected. Collectors and sub-collectors were appointed as towns along the coastline were declared Ports of Entry, and although most customs officers commenced their duties in humble or makeshift buildings, the importance of the service soon demanded customs houses of more prominence and grandeur.
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