Burdekin Shire Council Chambers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burdekin Shire Council Chambers |
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Burdekin Shire Council Chambers
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| Location | 145 Young Street, Ayr, Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1917 - 1939 |
| Architect | Frederick Smith |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Burdekin Shire Council Chambers, Ayr Shire Council Chambers | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 13 October 1997 |
| Reference no. | 601922 |
| Significant period | 1920s, 1982 (historical) 1920s-ongoing (social) 1920s-1930s (fabric) |
| Significant components | council chamber/meeting room, office/s, views to, strong room, furniture/fittings |
| Builders | AS Wight |
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The Burdekin Shire Council Chambers is a historic town hall building in Ayr, Australia. It is located at 145 Young Street. This important building was designed by Frederick Smith. A local builder named AS Wight constructed it in 1937. It is also known as the Ayr Shire Council Chambers. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 13, 1997.
History of the Council Chambers
The Burdekin Shire Council Chambers in Ayr was finished in 1922. It replaced an older wooden building from the 1890s. That first building was destroyed by a fire in 1919. The 1922 building was designed by local architect Frederick Smith. It was made bigger with extensions in the late 1930s.
How Ayr and the Shire Grew
Ayr was founded in 1882. It was created to support the growing sugar farms near the Lower Burdekin River. In the 1860s, the land was used for raising animals. But later, more and more farms started growing sugar cane. By the late 1880s, four sugar mills were working in the Burdekin area.
In 1879, local government was set up across Queensland. The Lower Burdekin area was part of a larger division called Thuringowa. This division was based in Townsville. People in the Lower Burdekin felt their problems were not being heard. It was hard for their local board members to travel to meetings in Townsville.
To fix this, people asked for the Lower Burdekin to become its own division. This request was first turned down. But residents kept pushing for it. They formed a group called the Burdekin Delta Association. Finally, their efforts worked! The Ayr Division was officially created in 1888. It included only the land north of the Burdekin River.
Building the First Council Office
Board members for the new Ayr Division were elected in 1888. Land for a council building was set aside in 1889. However, there wasn't enough money from the government. Also, a big economic downturn in the early 1890s made things difficult. So, the Ayr Divisional Board couldn't build its own office until 1895. That year, they built an office and a meeting room. This building was damaged by Cyclone Leonta in 1903 but was later fixed.
In 1903, all Divisions in Queensland became Shires. So, the Ayr Division became the Shire of Ayr.
Designing the New Chambers
In 1917, Frederick Smith, a local architect, was hired. He was asked to design a strong room to keep important documents safe. Smith had learned his skills from a family architecture firm in Townsville. He also worked for the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments. He designed other buildings in Ayr, like the Delta Theatre and the public hospital.
A fire in 1919 destroyed the 1895 council building. Luckily, the strong room designed by Smith survived. After the fire, the Council set up temporary offices next to the strong room. They then sought money to build a new, strong brick building. This was needed for the rapidly growing shire.
Frederick Smith drew up the plans for the new building. A local builder, AS Wight, won the contract for £2,824. The foundation stone was laid by Queensland Governor Matthew Nathan on July 25, 1921. The new brick and concrete building was completed in early 1922. It measured 16 by 10 metres (52 ft × 33 ft) and had a 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide verandah all around it.
Early photos show the building was balanced, with a central hallway. The meeting room was on one side, and two offices were on the other. There was an arched entrance at the front. The meeting room was not just for council meetings. Many local groups used it, like the Queensland Country Women's Association. The 1917 strong room now seems to be part of the back verandah.
Expanding the Building
The sugar industry helped the local economy during the 1930s depression. The district continued to grow. Plans for a bigger council building, including a second floor, were too expensive. But ground floor extensions were completed in 1939. These extensions added a second entrance hallway and a wing with four offices. The verandah and roof were also extended. A rooflight, a second arched entrance, and a new curved entrance may have been built at this time too. Some verandahs were enclosed in the 1970s to create more office space.
Changing the Shire's Name
Ayr's "twin town" of Home Hill was founded by 1913. It was meant to help develop the area south of the Burdekin River. By the mid-20th century, the name "Shire of Ayr" didn't seem to represent the whole area anymore. In 1946, the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce suggested "Ayr-Home Hill Shire." This name was never used.
However, in 1976, the Council asked to become the Burdekin Shire. Even though the council district only covered part of the Burdekin River area, the name was changed. Thanks to local politicians, the new name Shire of Burdekin was adopted on June 10, 1982. This was Ayr's 100th anniversary year.
Today, the building is still used for council meetings and customer services.
What the Building Looks Like
The Burdekin Shire Council Chambers is a single-story building. It is located on a corner block at Young, MacMillan, and Wickham Streets in Ayr. It faces Young Street. The building is made of brick and has a hipped roof covered with corrugated iron. A skylight sits in the middle of the roof.
Outside Features
The building has a timber verandah that goes all the way around. The parts of the verandah facing the two streets are open. They have a concrete floor and wooden railings. The verandahs on the southeast and southwest sides are now enclosed. They are covered with wooden boards. At the back of the building, there is a brick safe with a steel door. This safe opens into an office.
The main entrance has a curved concrete portico (a covered entrance). This portico is flanked by gabled sections with arched openings.
Inside the Chambers
The inside of the building is divided into three main areas by two parallel hallways. The two main entry doors line up with the arched sections on either side of the front portico.
The northwest end of the building holds the meeting room. It has French doors that open onto the northwest verandah. This room has a decorative cornice (a decorative molding along the top of a wall). It also has low, four-panel doors with decorative openwork above them.
The central part of the building has two offices. These offices have molded arched openings. The southeast end of the building has four offices that open from a central corridor.
Inside, you will see brick walls that have been plastered. The ceilings are high and have decorative cornices. The windows are double-hung and some have leadlight glass. The doors are paneled and also have decorative openwork above them.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Burdekin Shire Council Chambers was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 13, 1997. This means it is considered very important for several reasons.
Showing History
The building was built in 1922 when the sugar industry was growing. It shows how the Shire Council helped develop the Burdekin Shire. This area became one of Queensland's most important sugar-producing regions. It is the oldest council building still standing on the original council land. This land once had the Shire Clerk's house, stables, and a fire station.
The Burdekin Shire Chambers is also near other historic places. These include Anzac Park, the Masonic Lodge, the old Presbyterian Church, and a large house at 115 MacMillan Street. Together, these buildings make the streetscape of Ayr look very historic.
Beautiful Design
The Burdekin Shire Council Chambers is a large brick building. It sits on a noticeable corner. Its design adds a lot to the beauty of the Ayr townscape.
Important to the Community
This building is a great example of the work of local architect Frederick Smith and local builder AS Wight. The community values it highly. In 1996, when changes to the building were suggested, many people expressed their concern. This shows how important the building is to the local community.
