Bundaberg Police Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bundaberg Police Station |
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Former Bundaberg Police Station, 2009
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| Location | Quay Street, Bundaberg Central, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1882 - 1958 |
| Official name: Bundaberg Police Station Complex (former), Bundaberg Court House, Bundaberg Police Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 December 1998 |
| Reference no. | 601762 |
| Significant period | 1880s, 1930s (historical) 1880s, 1900s, 1930s (fabric) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - police sergeant's house/quarters, court house, cell block, lock-up |
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The Bundaberg Police Station is an old building in Bundaberg Central, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a court house from 1882 to 1958. After that, it became a police station from 1958 to 1997. This historic building is located on Quay Street. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1998 because of its important history. Today, it is known as the Bundaberg Court House.
Contents
A Look Back: The Building's Story
The old Bundaberg Police Station building is found at the corner of Maryborough and Quay Streets. It was built between 1882 and 1884. It was first designed as a court house. Later, in 1900, a building for the lock-up keeper and a cell block were added. These were part of a bigger police area.
Bundaberg's Early Days
Bundaberg started in the mid-1860s. People came to cut timber. Soon, farmers began growing sugar and corn. The Queensland government wanted more farms. So, they encouraged people to settle here.
The town of Bundaberg was officially planned in 1869. It was built on the Burnett River. This made it a good place for ships to bring goods. It also helped farmers send their products out.
The Sugar Boom and New Buildings
The sugar industry grew a lot in the 1880s. This made Bundaberg an important and wealthy town. Because of this growth, people wanted bigger and better public buildings. The first plan for the Bundaberg Court House was a small wooden building. But the government decided to build a larger brick one instead. This showed how important Bundaberg had become.
Who Designed the Court House?
The Bundaberg Court House was designed by George St Paul Connolly. He worked for the Queensland Department of Public Works. He later became the main architect for the Queensland government. This was a very important job.
The court house was designed to keep different groups of people separate. Judges had a private entrance. Jurors and lawyers used a different way in. The public had their own entrance. Prisoners were brought directly from the police cells to the court room. This made things safer and more organised.
Police Move In
In 1900, the police took over the land next to the court house. They built a large, two-storey police station there. They also built a home for the lock-up keeper and a cell block. This meant the police and court were very close. It made it easier and safer to move prisoners.
In 1935, the court house was made bigger. More office space was added. A strong room was also built for important documents.
A Growing Town in the 1950s
The 1950s were a busy time for Bundaberg. The town's population grew a lot. The sugar industry was doing very well. A new port was built in 1958. This new port helped Bundaberg become even more important. All this growth led to many new buildings. Public buildings, like the court house, were also updated.
In 1958, a new, bigger court house was built nearby. The old court house was then changed to become the main police station. The old court room was divided into four new offices. Other rooms were added for police use. This site became a large area for the police. It included the old court house, the 1900 police station, the lock-up keeper's home, and the cell block.
Police Life and Buildings
For a long time, police officers in Queensland lived and worked in the same place. The Bundaberg Police Station complex showed this. Officers lived on site, so they were always available. This meant the community always had access to the police.
The lock-up keeper's home was built in 1900. It had two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and verandas. Later, a charge room and laundry were added. When officers no longer lived on site, the building was used for offices.
The 1900 brick cell block had several cells. One was a padded cell. There was also a larger shared cell. A fence separated the cells from the rest of the area. This allowed prisoners to exercise safely. Toilets and showers were added later.
The original 1900 Police Station building was taken down in 1985. New government offices now stand there.
In 1997, the court moved back into the original 1882 court house for a short time. This happened while the 1958 court house was being fixed up. The main court room was restored to its original look.
Today, the old Bundaberg Police Station building is used as a backpacker hostel. It is called the Cellblock Backpackers.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Bundaberg Police Station is a single-storey brick building. It faces the Burnett River. It has a main entrance with a special roof design. There are also windows with decorative frames.
The building has verandahs on its sides. These verandahs have timber posts and decorative wood details. The back of the building has been changed over time with additions.
Inside, there is a central hall from Quay Street. On one side are offices. On the other side is a room added in 1935. The hall leads to the main court room. This room has high ceilings and large windows.
Next to the old court house is a single-storey brick house. This was the lock-up keeper's residence. It has a front verandah that is now enclosed. It has several rooms and a laundry.
Behind the house and next to the old court house is the brick cell block. This building has a narrow "L" shape. It has small, high windows with bars. A covered area with security screens is on one side. It originally had several cells.
Why It's Important: Heritage Listing
The former Bundaberg Police Station complex is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical site. It was added to the list in 1998.
Showing Queensland's History
This building shows how Bundaberg grew. It became an important centre for the sugar industry. The size and design of the buildings tell us about the town's past.
A Special Type of Building
The main building was a court house and then a police station. This shows how justice was managed over time. The lock-up keeper's home and cell blocks also show how police and courts worked closely together.
Its Beautiful Design
The old Bundaberg Court House stands out. It was designed to look grand from the street. It is part of a group of government buildings. These buildings create an interesting mix of old and new styles.
Connected to Important People
The complex is linked to George St Paul Connolly. He was an important architect for the Queensland government in the 1880s. It also shows the history of the Queensland police and legal system. It helps us understand how police work and life changed in a big regional town.
