1930s – leading public works in Queensland
In the 1930s, Queensland was experiencing high unemployment rates brought by the depression. Promoting economic growth through capital works was seen as the best way to boost job opportunities and stimulate development.
The Queensland Premier at that time, William Forgan Smith, believed the most effective way to achieve the greatest economic benefit for the state was through a 'central authority with the power to marshal and coordinate public works'.
In 1938, this political scenario resulted in the:
- enactment of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWOA)
- creation of the Office of the Co-ordinator-General of Public Works (as it was then known)
- creation of the role of the Coordinator-General.
The Coordinator-General had a clear mandate to create employment through the coordination of works. Its aim was to coordinate the development and planning of public works and semi-public works across Queensland.
At that time, the Coordinator-General was responsible for preparing a works programme for the whole state. It provided for a substantial increase in employment, new housing and major infrastructure.
As part of its role, the Coordinator-General controlled:
- public expenditure on a wide range of public works undertaken by state and local governments
- allocation of scarce resources.
Public works assisted or constructed with the Coordinator-General's powers included:
- Brisbane’s Story Bridge
- University of Queensland
- Wivenhoe Dam.
1940s and 1950s – focus on construction
During World War II, the Coordinator-General played a critical role in reducing general expenditure and boosting defence and the war effort.
Through the 1940s, the Australian Government was focused on dealing with the conditions of war and the impacts at home. The Coordinator-General was involved in these efforts. Examples include:
- leading the establishment of a ship-building industry at Kangaroo Point to replace ships lost to the war
- stimulating the cotton industry to meet essential needs.
For post-war reconstruction and development, the Coordinator-General was involved in dealing with shortages of workers and materials, and prioritising important projects for Queensland such as:
- housing
- soldier settlement
- hospitals
- schools
- training facilities.
In the 1950s, the focus of major projects was in rural areas, including:
- Somerset Dam
- Tully Falls Hydro-electric Scheme
- Blair Athol Coalfield
- the Burdekin River project.
The Coordinator-General was also involved in the development of the Peak Downs scheme. This was to develop large scale agriculture in Central Queensland to assist Britain with food shortages.
1960s and 1970s – shift to planning and coordination
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Coordinator-General's role shifted to planning, environmental control and coordination roles. The role of a construction authority that builds most public works was devolved over time to other departments and entities.
The Coordinator-General's department was well known for its technical expertise. It was seen as a good avenue for pursuing environmental technical investigations.
This expertise enabled the Coordinator-General to concentrate on:
- effective coordination of state activities
- competing land use proposals
- environmental management.
This resembles the current role of the Coordinator-General in declaring coordinated projects and determining the level of environmental assessment required.
Evolution of the Coordinator-General
The Coordinator-General has evolved to be an influential facilitator working with government and industry to deliver major projects and infrastructure across Queensland. This includes projects in both the public and private sectors.
This reflects broader changes in the public sector in Australia and internationally, where there has been:
- a reduction in direct public sector intervention in public works
- increased collaboration with the private sector to boost economic development.
The Coordinator-General drives Queensland’s economic growth and development through:
- State development areas which facilitate the establishment of industry, such as the LNG industry on Curtis Island
- the use of significant powers to ensure priority projects can be assessed, approved and constructed.
Examples of the Coordinator-General’s historic projects in Brisbane
- Ship building facilities at Kangaroo Point
- Post World War II acquisition of land and construction of housing for soldier settlement
- University of Queensland buildings and grounds (i.e. road constructions, buildings construction – Women’s college, JJ Stable Memorial Tree Theatre, Biological Sciences building)
- Griffith University buildings and grounds
- Mater Hospital building
- Queensland Children’s Hospital State Development Area, land resumptions and approvals for development of new Hospital
- Removing level crossings at these railway locations:
- Albion Road, Albion
- Toombul Road, Northgate
- Murphy-Handford Road, Zillmere
- Bilsen Road, Virginia
- Acquisition of Rocklea Depot and establishment of Brisbane Markets
- Indooroopilly railway bridge
- St Lucia bridge
- Albion overpass
- Goodwill Bridge
- Story Bridge expressway and Works Board Wharves acquisitions
- New Victoria Bridge
- Riverside Expressway acquisitions
- Petrie Bight Expressway acquisitions
- South-East Freeway acquisitions
- Gateway Bridge
- Construction of bulk storage, working house and silo at Pinkenba Bulk Wheat Terminal
- Flood mitigation studies and works for Brisbane River flooding:
- Wivenhoe Dam
- Somerset Dam resumptions and leases
- North Pine Dam
- South East Queensland Water Grid
- Surveys and resumptions for North Pine River water supply
- Brisbane Airport land acquisitions for road, rail and drainage
- Construction of housing at Weipa
- Works for the Suncorp Stadium redevelopment project
- Acquisitions for establishment of Brisbane South State Secondary College, Dutton Park
- Acquisition of land for the establishment of LNG processing and production facilities on Curtis Island at Gladstone
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