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78-542: Townsville Customs House is a heritage-listed former customs house at Wickham Street, Townsville CBD , City of Townsville , Queensland , Australia. It was designed by George David Payne and built from 1900 to 1902 by Crawford & Cameron. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005. The former Townsville Customs House, the fourth customs building in Townsville,

156-422: A coat of arms at the time, the building features a depiction on its facade of a shield between an emu and kangaroo. An iron balustrade was shipped from England with the royal cypher VR for "Victoria Regina" wrought on it in honour of Queen Victoria . Inside the structure features black and white marble with cedar fittings. The Brisbane Customs House, located at the northern end of Queen Street and beside

234-531: A 25 metres (82 ft) setback. However, the university lost its court case in July 2016. In November 2016, the university reached agreement with the tower's designers to alter the tower's profile to preserve views, reduce external car parking and restrictions on the pruning of the fig tree. Construction was finished in three years at a cost of £38,346. The downstream end of the Brisbane central business district

312-789: A bond store be built, which was constructed in July 1872 on the Customs Reserve close to the wharf facing Flinders Street. In March 1874 the Sub-Collector of Customs further suggested that the Court House facilities be removed from the Customs building and in February 1875 approval was given for a new court house, which was constructed in 1876 in Sturt Street. The Customs Service grew rapidly as road and rail networks in

390-615: A century. It is important historically as an expression of the importance of the customs service to Queensland and to Australia and for its site, which relates to the establishment of Brisbane as a port of entry and the development of major wharfage along the Town Reach of the Brisbane River and Petrie's Bight. The Brisbane Customs House was built during a period of economic prosperity and a construction "boom" in Queensland and

468-418: A flat containing a bedroom, bathroom, balcony and portion of the colonnade. The first floor contains the Sub-Collector of Customs living area. Within this area are three bedrooms created using modern partitioning, a living room, lounge, kitchen, and colonnades on both the north and south facades , which contain laundry and bathroom facilities. There is also a lobby into the living area (former Titles Office),

546-545: A plinth of granite from Cockle Bay on Magnetic Island . The use of local labour and materials was intended to stimulate local industry. However, it is thought that the stone dressings (sandstone colonnade, balustrade rails and bases) came from Stanwell near Rockhampton . Construction was completed in late 1902. Following the federation of the Australian colonies as the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901,

624-426: A price of £ 37,342. The contract time was 30 months but because of difficulties with the supply of some materials, especially stone for the foundations, and alterations to the original plans, the building took longer than anticipated to complete and it was opened on 2 September 1889. Retaining walls, fencing, a double staircase down to the river and nearby earth closets were also constructed. The completed building in

702-542: A secure bonded warehouse (the former Queens Warehouse, now converted to an art gallery), offices and a secure boundary fence. The Brisbane Customs House is a well proportioned and skilfully designed example of a Victorian building in the Renaissance mode executed to take best advantage of its dominant site and solve the practical problems of dual access from the town and from the river. It has considerable unity in its scale, form and use of materials. The main structure of

780-475: A special association with the work in Townsville and north Queensland of the Queensland and Australian customs services for close to a century. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from

858-491: A staircase lobby, a gallery over the Long Room, a pantry and store. The surviving internal timber work and timber fittings are of cedar. There are a number of tiled fireplaces throughout the main offices. There are leadlight windows in the original dome . The cedar and plaster mouldings of the dome are also intact. Townsville Customs House was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005 having satisfied

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936-405: A well proportioned and skilfully designed Victorian building in the Renaissance mode, executed to take best advantage of its dominant site and solve the practical problems of dual access from the town and from the river. It has considerable unity in its scale, form and use of materials. With its copper dome and two storey colonnade it makes an imposing and important contribution the streetscape and to

1014-682: Is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its class of place, being one of a group of imposing, two-storeyed brick and stone customs houses designed by the Queensland Public Works department and constructed around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is important in illustrating the best work of the office of the Queensland Government Architect and in particular the work of respected architect George Payne. The former Townsville Customs House provides important evidence of adaptation to

1092-461: Is probable that this building provided, for the first time, the traditional arrangement of Customs Service rooms, based on the British tradition of a lofty and impressive "long room" for the reception of the public. It appears to have included residential accommodation for the Sub-Collector of Customs on the upper floor and a basement. As with other Queensland customs buildings designed at this period,

1170-402: Is very intact except for the loss of the original roof, which was replaced by the present steel trussed roof in the 1940s, the removal of chimneys and the widening of the northwestern end of the balconies in the 1940s. The interior fabric is less intact due to the alterations and additions carried out during its use as a customs house and to the most recent refurbishment, which removed much of

1248-422: The "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014). [REDACTED] Media related to Townsville Customs House at Wikimedia Commons Customs house Due to advances in electronic information systems, the increased volume of international trade, and the introduction of air travel,

1326-612: The Town Reach of the Brisbane River , near Petrie's Bight , between 1886 and 1889 to a design prepared by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office . The 1880s building replaced an earlier and much smaller customs house on the site. The location had been chosen in 1849 following the declaration of Moreton Bay as a port of entry in 1846 and after considerable discussion as to

1404-481: The Victorian Free Classical style incorporated pedimented gables and a massive colonnade . The copper-sheathed dome was constructed by sub-contracted coppersmith and brass founder, William Smith Henderson, of Perry Street, Petries' Bight. Heraldic scenes in the pediments were precursors to the official Queensland coat of arms , which was not granted until 1893. A curved iron balustrade to

1482-514: The balconies included the royal cypher of the reigning sovereign, Queen Victoria , in the cast. Red cedar was used extensively for desks, counters, cabinets and tables as well as for a massive and elegant staircase. The Brisbane Customs House was built during a period of economic prosperity and a construction "boom" in Queensland and was amongst the more impressive of a number of notable public and commercial buildings erected in Brisbane during

1560-552: The 1870 Maryborough Customs House in 1900. Townsville Customs and Estate Agent JN Parkes, commissioned to find a suitable site for a new Townsville customs house, recommended two blocks bounded by The Strand , Wickham and Cunningham Streets. The site, owned by the Bank of New South Wales , was purchased by the Queensland government in November 1898 for £1600. Plans were prepared in 1899 by architect George Payne employed temporarily in

1638-644: The 1880s, which included the first stage of the Treasury Building (1886-1889). Public pride in the new customs house was considerable. On 7 September 1889, a few days after the building was opened for business, the local Brisbane Courier newspaper drew attention to "the handsome and imposing appearance, especially as seen from the river or from Petrie's Bight" and predicted that the Brisbane Customs House with its tall columns, pilasters and large copper-sheathed dome would "become one of

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1716-474: The 1940s fabric but recovered aspects of the 19th century form, including reconstruction of the original timber staircase. Inside the building the most imposing space is that of the Long Room beneath the dome. Fluted Corinthian pilasters of painted plaster are below the coffered ceiling of the dome, which has a central glazed section. In the basement some of the original walls with arched openings remain. The 1890-91 Moggill sandstone retaining wall carries around

1794-411: The 1940s fit out were removed except for some good quality intact 1940s office cabinetry which survived and part of the 1940s main stair which provided access to the basement. Two of the 1940s galleries added to the Long Room were removed and one, at the southwest end, retained and adapted. Timber window and door joinery was conserved and plaster mouldings reconstructed where they were missing. Following

1872-751: The American Indian , the former U.S. Custom House in New Orleans, Louisiana , is now home to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium , the former U.S. Custom House in San Francisco, California , now houses offices of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Social Security Administration and the former U.S. Custom House in Baltimore, Maryland , was in 1973 serving as a Selective Service office. As of 2019 ,

1950-517: The Brisbane River at the northern end of the Town Reach , is an imposing two-storeyed rendered brick building in the classical style. The site is prominent due to the proximity to the river, the bend in Queen Street and the general topography which opens up many views to and from the building. A prominent feature is the large copper dome at the semi-circular northern end which is a focal point viewed from both directions along Queen Street and from

2028-610: The Commonwealth Department of Works and Buildings expanded and in 1943 constructed a temporary, two storeyed building in the southwest corner of the grounds. The balcony above the Long Room became office space and a temporary wooden mezzanine floor was erected in the Long Room. Part of the first floor residence became office space for the Department of Works and Buildings and the basement was converted into an air raid shelter with an exit door to Wickham Street. During

2106-635: The Custom House of Valletta in Malta was still being used for its original purpose. Custom Houses became a prominent feature of English ports after 1275, following the creation of a national system for collecting duties on overseas trade. In the United Kingdom , since 1386, the phrase "custom house" has been in use over the term "customs house". This was after the City of London's Custom House

2184-570: The Customs Service had again outgrown its building. At the same time the Queensland government embarked on an ambitious building program to make a generous contribution to the planned Commonwealth of Australia by constructing new customs houses or upgrading existing ones prior to Federation . Included in the building program were new customs houses at Rockhampton (1898–1901), Townsville (1898–1902), Bundaberg (completed c.  1902 ) and Mackay (completed in 1902) and an upgrading of

2262-489: The Customs Service was demonstrated with the opening of the new Brisbane Customs House . By September 1891 the inadequacy of the Townsville office was obvious and the decision was made to convert the former Post and Telegraph Office into a customs house. This work was completed by June 1892. At this stage the quarters of the Sub-Collector of Customs comprised a timber structure at the rear of the Supreme Court. By 1898

2340-680: The Government Architect's Office. The plans were approved by the government in January 1900, just prior to Federation and the creation of the new Australian Customs Services. George Payne was a London born and trained architect who arrived in New South Wales c.  1887 . In the late 1880s he achieved success in a number of design competitions and in the early 1890s established his own architectural practice in Sydney. He

2418-402: The Long Room was carried out in 1911 and again in 1919. Frequently minor repairs, cleaning and maintenance work was carried out to the interior of the building in succeeding decades. In 1947 major internal alterations were undertaken: all but two of the internal masonry walls were demolished; the timber floors were replaced by concrete slabs; the cedar staircase was removed and a new terrazzo one

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2496-537: The Public Works Department to oversee construction of his winning design for St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Brisbane, for which he acquired a national reputation. Payne's Townsville Customs House was a brick and stone building of generous design, with high ceilings to allow for maximum air circulation and broad, colonnaded verandahs to provide shade for the internal rooms. While no plans of previous Townsville Customs buildings have been located it

2574-630: The Strand and Flinders Street as an appropriate site for the Customs Reserve and new Customs House. It was in an elevated position and commanded an excellent view of the harbour. Early in 1866 the Municipality of Townsville was declared with Black elected as Mayor . In October 1866 the Province of Townsville was declared, covering a large area centred round Townsville. The discovery of gold at Cape River in 1867 and Ravenswood in 1869 stimulated

2652-515: The Townsville Customs House, through its architectural distinction, was designed to impress and to present the Customs Service as a crucial arm of government. Tenders were called in February 1900 and the tender of £26,642, submitted by Messrs Crawford and Cameron of Kangaroo Point , Brisbane was accepted on 7 March 1900. The works supervisor was ES Hunt. The building was constructed of brick and stone with concrete foundations and

2730-458: The Townsville Customs House, valued at £32,201 (£27,261 for the structure and £4,940 for the site), had been transferred to the Commonwealth. The building was severely damaged by Cyclone Leonta in March 1903 when two chimneys fell and crashed through the roof into an office below. Despite repairs the roof began to leak and in 1910 the tiles were replaced with galvanised iron pan tiles. The tiles on

2808-481: The Townsville hinterland expanded to meet the needs of the pastoral industry and gold fields. By the late 1870s the early timber framed government buildings in Townsville were beginning to be replaced by ore substantial structures. The new, more imposing buildings reflected the growing prosperity of the region. In 1884 the Customs Bond Store on the bank of Ross Creek was extended. In 1889 the importance of

2886-562: The basement during the 1893 Brisbane River floods . As a consequence of the Federation of Australia, the Brisbane Customs House, valued at £ 80,804 ( £ 40,804 for the structure and £ 40,000 for the site), was transferred to the Australian Government by December 1908. In 1906 the inadequacies of the original flat roof were overcome by the installation of a new hipped roof . Rearrangement of counters and partitions in

2964-411: The building is of brick on a stone foundation . The columns , pilasters , balusters to the colonnade , the parapet and side entrances are of Murphy's Creek sandstone. There are cast iron balustrades on the recessed verandahs and external stairs . The main roof is clad with corrugated iron. Timber window and door joinery survives reasonably intact on the exterior walls. The exterior of the building

3042-535: The building was used by the Australian Customs Service for close to a century. It is significant historically as an expression of the importance of the customs service to Queensland and to Australia. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The former Townsville Customs House is an elegant, imposing brick building with sandstone detailing. It remains substantially intact and

3120-399: The climatic requirements of north Queensland particularly in its high ceilings and wide colonnades along the length of both street elevations. It possesses a strong, visual unity in its use of scale, materials and texture and has architectural significance on a national scale. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. With its distinctive entrance portico and domed roof

3198-693: The colonial architect George Connolly and was appointed Chief Draftsman in 1889. His works include the Bundaberg Post Office, probably the Fortitude Post Office and the Lady Norman Wing Brisbane Children's Hospital (with John James Clark ), of which the Brisbane Customs House is by far the most ambitious and prominent design. The contract was let to one of Brisbane's oldest and most respected contractors, John Petrie & Son , who tendered with

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3276-411: The development of Townsville as a port and administration centre. By 1870 a new building had been constructed to house customs and court functions and a wharf built on the Customs Reserve on Ross Creek. The new building was a cramped, three-roomed wooden structure. Early in 1871 an additional two offices were added at the rear of the building. To create more space the Sub-Collector of Customs suggested that

3354-405: The features of the city". In 1891 stables, additional retaining walls and fencing, and more earth closets were erected at a cost of £ 446. By the mid-1890s gardens and a driveway had been developed. The mature fig tree now at the site was possibly planted about this time. Minor repairs were carried out throughout the 1890s, including some work in 1895 after 7 feet (2.1 m) of water inundated

3432-532: The fledgling port. At this period Robert Towns, with interests in banking, pastoral, shipping and commercial industries, was one of Australian's most influential businessmen. Having invested heavily in the early establishment of this new Queensland port facility, Black and Towns lobbied the colonial government to declare the new township a port of entry . They received support from the Queensland Collector of Customs and on 17 June 1865 Cleveland Bay

3510-401: The following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The former Townsville Customs House, completed in 1902, was commissioned by the Queensland government prior to Federation during the period of planning for the hand over of government departments and their facilities to the new federal government. Purpose-built as a customs house,

3588-509: The former Townsville Customs House makes an outstanding contribution to an historic and aesthetic streetscape that includes Anzac Memorial Park , the former Queen's Hotel , the State Government Offices , Tattersalls Hotel , and the former Bank of New South Wales . The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. The place has

3666-431: The ground floor. There is a tower on the Strand side, which has a lookout for the observation of shipping. The roof is roll and cap iron. The ground floor interior includes the Long Room which contains the public counter and work area; a communications room; several general offices; two store rooms; an entrance hall, main stairs and lobby; colonnades ; a safe; clearing office; strong room; amenities room; field store; and

3744-531: The imposing form; general arrangement of spaces to include Long Room, Bond Store and offices; and secure fencing. It is a fine example of the work of architect Charles McLay and a good example of one of a series of customs houses designed in the Queensland Colonial Architect's office and of the work of contractor John Petrie. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. The Brisbane Customs House has aesthetic value as

3822-493: The most suitable location for a customs house. At the time shipping activity was centred on the South Brisbane Reach and the decision to locate a customs house at the northern end of the Town Reach acted as an impetus for the development of wharves along this part of the river. A small building was erected for customs purposes in 1850 and in the following decades became increasingly inadequate as Brisbane emerged as

3900-561: The mouth of the Brisbane River, resulting in its closure in April 1988. The building remained vacant from 1988 until leased by the University of Queensland . The university refurbished the building from 1991 to 1994 at a cost of A$ 7.5 million. At this period some of the interior masonry walls that had been removed in 1947 were replaced and the original timber stair was reconstructed. Non-significant partitions added after 1948 and parts of

3978-407: The mouth of the river. The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. It has a special association with the Australian Customs Service, which occupied the building for nearly 100 years. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article incorporates text from "The Queensland heritage register" published by

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4056-423: The new federal government assumed responsibility for the fixing and collection of customs duties on goods entering Australia. Customs duties imposed on inter-colonial trade were abolished. The operation of existing coastal customs houses and the establishment of new ones became a Commonwealth function. Under the new arrangements, the Commonwealth assumed control of Queensland's existing customs houses. By December 1908

4134-465: The original 1910 profile and gutters replaced to match the original ogee profile. The flat at the west end was vacated and verandah enclosures removed, with restoration of the stone and brick work on the balcony. The building was painted and exterior masonry was dressed and re-pointed. In 1992 $ 620,000 was allocated by the Federal government for the restoration and conservation of the building, including

4212-434: The perimeter of the site reasonably intact and incorporates a wrought iron balustrade, masonry piers, stairs and rooms for the former underground privies at the river's edge. There is a small ground with a mature fig tree and sunken garden, which contribute to the building's riverside setting. The view from the river and the secure wharf area has been compromised by the riverside walkway. The former Brisbane Customs House

4290-679: The portico turret roof were left in situ until 1938 when leaks developed and the whole roof was replaced with galvanised steel. Besides the Commonwealth Customs Service , the building also accommodated a number of Queensland government agencies, including the Stamps and Titles Office ( c.  1938 ), Department of Works, the Bankruptcy Branch and the Electoral Office. During the second world war

4368-668: The principal commercial centre and port of Queensland. In 1884 the Queensland Government decided to construct a new customs house. In March 1886 a design by Charles McLay was selected from many proposals in the Colonial Architect's Office for a new Brisbane Customs House. McLay completed the specification in May 1886 and construction commenced in September that year. Charles McLay was the major designer under

4446-492: The renovation, there is a restaurant and function centre within the building, and regular concerts and an art gallery occupies the lower floor. The Long Room was once the place customs business was transacted. Today the room is used various events, such as lectures and dinners. In October 2015, it was announced that a 47-storey tower block would be built adjacent to the Customs House. Protests erupted over concerns that

4524-560: The repair of the sandstone, masonry and roof sheeting. The place is no longer owned by the Commonwealth. The Townsville Customs House is located on the corner of The Strand and Wickham Street, at the base of Melton Hill overlooking Cleveland Bay. It is one of a number of buildings at the eastern end of the city which are of cultural heritage significance. The building is a two-storeyed, L-shaped, red brick building with an elaborate semi-circular corner entrance. Verandahs exist on both levels on both street elevations, with iron balustrading on

4602-505: The river and the town. The riverside setting allows long views across and along the river to the building. Other features of the Brisbane Customs House which demonstrate its former use are more characteristic of late 19th century customs houses in Australia, especially the general design and planning arrangement of the building to include an imposing masonry facade , an impressive public space (the former Long Room now used for functions),

4680-409: The river for ships arriving from Moreton Bay. The architectural form of the building announces the northern edge of the city centre and is sympathetic to the landscape features of cliffs and river bends. The architectural form clearly demonstrates the intended purpose of the building with the double entrance from both the city and the river, which is a response to the siting of the building between

4758-558: The subsequent work of the Department's Professional Branch. He prepared working drawings for the Rockhampton Customs House , in which he likely contributed to the design detailing and in 1899 designed and documented the Townsville Customs House. With the tropical climate and the government's desire to impress in mind, he designed a colonnaded Romanesque building with an imposing presence to The Strand and shaded, well ventilated interiors. In late 1902 Payne resigned from

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4836-612: The term "custom house" became a historical anachronism. There are many examples of buildings around the world that were formerly used as custom houses but have since been converted for other uses, such as museums or civic buildings. As examples, the former Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in Manhattan, New York , (now the George Gustav Heye Center ) presently houses a branch of the National Museum of

4914-489: The tower would be too close to the Customs House causing over-shadowing and the likely destruction of the fig tree. University of Queensland announced it would lodge a legal challenge against the approval of the project by Brisbane City Council , stating that the tower would be only 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) from the Customs House boundary, despite the council's own provisions in the City Plan 2014, which would require

4992-472: The townscape. Its location on the riverbank adds to its aesthetic values, allowing distant views from along and across the river. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The place has strong associations for the Brisbane community as a landmark and as a rare surviving marker of the Port of Brisbane before it moved to

5070-611: The turret roof with zinc in 1973. By 1973 other government departments were again occupying the building including the Department of Works, the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of the Navy. In 1978 the building was entered on the Register of the National Estate . Restoration work in 1983 won a John Herbert Award for Meritorious Conservation Action. This work included a new roof of specially formed painted steel to

5148-406: The war years Works and Buildings was responsible for the construction of war facilities across north Queensland. The department constructed military facilities as well as converting private property to military use and continued to operate from the Customs House until the 1980s. The roof was damaged again in 1971 by Cyclone Althea , following which the domed roof was reclad with galvanised steel and

5226-412: The wet season Woodstock and other stations to the west were often cut off from these centres by floodwaters. In November 1864 Black's employees Andrew Ball and Mark Reid set up camp close to the mouth of Ross Creek on Cleveland Bay and in the next few months Black and Towns invested in the construction of a warehouse and wharf. A residence was constructed for Melton Black on Melton Hill overlooking

5304-598: Was a foundation member of the Sydney Architectural Association and in 1891–93 its inaugural vice-president. Due to the effects of the economic depression of the 1890s on the architectural profession, Payne gained a temporary position as a draftsman in the Queensland Public Works Department, taking up the appointment in March 1898. It has been suggested that Payne may have been the catalyst for the sophistication of

5382-570: Was also authorised at that time. On 29 July 1865 the Surveyor-General's Department decided that the new Customs House should be located next to the harbour entrance on Ross Creek. A town survey had been completed and the first land sales took place on 31 July 1865. On 6 September 1865 the Queensland Executive Council, referring for the first time to the township as "Townsville", approved a block of land bounded by

5460-521: Was amongst the more impressive of a number of notable public and commercial buildings erected in Brisbane during the 1880s. It is important in demonstrating part of the pattern of Queensland's history. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The former Brisbane Customs House is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of its class of cultural places: late 19th century masonry customs houses. These characteristics include:

5538-557: Was constructed in 1901/02 to a design prepared in 1899/1900 by architect George Payne of the Government Architect's Office in the Queensland Department of Public Works . Townsville had been established in the mid-1860s by pastoralist John Melton Black and his Sydney business partner, Robert Towns , as a port to service Woodstock Station. There were already ports at Bowen and Cardwell but during

5616-424: Was designed by Charles H McLay and built from 1886 to 1889 at a cost of £38,346 by John Petrie & Son . It was originally used for the collection of customs duty and was opened in 1889, when Queensland was a British colony, replacing the original Customs House located at Petrie Bight . It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005. The collection of custom duties on imported products

5694-608: Was erected at Wool Wharf in Tower Ward , to house just the officials overseeing the Great Custom on Wool and Woolfells. The singular form was used even though in later years the City of London's Custom House served as the workplace for other customs officials as well. Brisbane Customs House Customs House is a heritage-listed customs house at 427 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia. It

5772-536: Was installed at another location; mezzanine floors were erected in the Long Room; and the roof was replaced - without the original chimneys. In 1978 part of the exterior was cleaned, repaired and sealed and painted. In the mid-1980s the Australian Customs Department moved out of the building to Australia House. The building became redundant when port facilities moved to the Port of Brisbane at

5850-404: Was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The former Brisbane Customs House, constructed between 1886 and 1889 to a design prepared by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office, was in use by the customs service for nearly

5928-516: Was particularly important to Queensland where the manufacturing sector was slow to develop. Brisbane was declared a port city in 1846. In 1908, seven years after federation, the building was acquired by the federal government. Customs House is within reach of the CityCat catamaran ferry service, as well as the Free Loop Bus. The Brisbane Customs House was erected at the northern end of

6006-483: Was proclaimed a "Port of Entry and Clearance". At that time a small Customs service was established in the township. Staff included the Sub-Collector of Customs who, for an annual fee of |300, served as the Police Magistrate, Clerk of Petty Sessions, and Harbour and Port Master. Two staff were employed as customs and harbour workers, boatmen and constables. The construction of a bond store and customs warehouse

6084-404: Was selected to spur the development of wharves in the precinct known as Petrie Bight . The lower floor contained a secure warehouse where goods not having been passed customs were stored. Customs House is a Brisbane landmark known for its distinctive copper dome. The building was designed by Charles McLay of the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office. Despite no government in the country having

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