Queensland Department of Public Works
| Statutory Authority overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Queensland |
| Headquarters | Brisbane |
| Minister responsible |
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The Department of Public Works is the department of the Queensland Government responsible for the construction of public works. It has existed under many different names since the establishment of government in Queensland. It contains the office of the Queensland Government Architect. In 2014, it is the Department of Housing and Public Works under the direction of Tim Mander, the Minister for Housing and Public Works.
Europeans settled in Queensland in 1825 when Brisbane was selected as a penal settlement for British convicts. The penal settlement closed in 1842 and free settlement was established.
The state was originally part of the British-administered colony of New South Wales. On 10 December 1859 Queensland separated from New South Wales and the Colony of Queensland was established.
After separation, New South Wales administrators withdrew and the new colony was left to develop its own public service. This, together with an increasing number of immigrants moving to the state, brought about a program of building works which was to give Queensland some of its best examples of 19th century architecture.
One of the first buildings to be commissioned was the Old Ipswich Courthouse. Designed by Queensland Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin, the building was completed on 19 July 1859.
The stone and brick neo-classical structure became the archetype for many of the courthouses built in the colony for the rest of the century. The building continued to serve as Ipswich’s courthouse until the early 1980s, when a new court complex was built. In turn, it was replaced by the Ipswich Courthouse which was built 2009-2010. The original courthouse is now heritage-listed and serves as an important reminder of the beginnings of Queensland. Charles Tiffin would go on to design and construct more than 300 public buildings for Queensland.
The Lands and Works Department was created in 1862.
In the same year, construction of the Governor's residence in Brisbane, the first major public building in Queensland, is completed. Queensland Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin, designed the building as both a private residence and official state office for George Bowen, the first Queensland Governor. In 2014, the heritage-listed building is known as Old Government House and stands in the grounds of the Queensland University of Technology. It is considered one of the state's most significant historical buildings.
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