Plans of public buildings

The Colonial Architect started in 1832 and continued on as the Government Architect to the end of the 20th century. The public buildings serve a variety of purposes including Land Board offices; pilot stations and light houses in coastal areas; schools; hospitals; police stations; gaols; court houses; and even post offices from before postal services became a Federal Government responsibility. All of these buildings are often large and enduring even if their purpose changes over time.

Digitised building plans

In the series NRS-4335 there are 3,400+ government building plans dating from 1837 through to the 1970s. Over 430+ have been digitised and published to the State Archives catalogue. Some plans are Closed to Public Access for security reasons - for instance if a gaol, police station or a courthouse is still operating as a gaol, police station or a courthouse. The plans below were digitised as part of the Archives in Your Town program.

Gaols / Watch Houses / Lock Ups

Dubbo Gaol was also altered over time. In 1878 a range of additions and alterations were planned.

Wagga Wagga Watch House was extended in 1887. The plan of those alterations has many pencil notes possibly about later changes. In a later plan the same building is called the Wagga Lock Up. The plan shows planned additions of cells and a prisoner’s yard.

More plans of gaols, watch houses and lock ups in the State Archives Collection.

Hospitals

Kiama Hospital was opened in 1930. These plans are from the 1920s as it was being built.

More plans of hospitals in the State Archives Collection

Lands Office

The Tamworth Land Board District Survey and Roads’ Office building was designed by Government Architect Walter Vernon in 1898. It was extended in 1915.

More plans of Lands buildings in the State Archives Collection

Pilot Station (Lighthouse)

Kiama’s position on the coast influences the types of public works and buildings developed over time. The first four plans show the Kiama Basin works from 1860, an undated plan of the Lighthouse Keeper’s residence and 1902 repairs and additions to the Pilot Station quarters.

Tweed Heads had a long history as part of a river system used for commerce and pleasure. The Tweed Heads Pilot Station operated from 1870.These six plans from 1917 to 1927 show the size and range of buildings from the cottages for the boatmen to housing for the station’s rockets.

More plans of pilot stations in the State Archives Collection

Post and Telegraph Offices

The plans of Broken Hill South Post and Telegraph Office from 1897 are from a time when postal and telegraph services were still the responsibility of New South Wales. The plans are signed by Government Architect Walter Vernon.

More plans of post and telegraph offices in the State Archives Collection

School buildings

Dubbo Public School was extended a number of times. This plan, dated 6 December 1895, shows additions and improvements.

Plans of schools are often included in the School files and in the Plans of public buildings. Kiama Public School has been changed many times. This plan is from 1921 for an eight-room building.

More plans of school buildings in Collection Search

Tramway buildings

Broken Hill Tramway Block plan showing position of residence for officer-in-charge, 25/2/1902. The plans are from the Railway Construction Branch of the Public Works Department. Plan of proposed additional office accommodation for officer-in-charge of Broken Hill Trams. Plans and elevations. Signature of architect (W. Keen) appears on the plan, 10/6/1903.The plans have a list of the furniture and a key to show its location in the office.

See all the digitised plans from NRS-4335 Plans of public buildings