Public Works Department (Victoria)

Public Works Department
Agency overview
Formed1855
Dissolved1987
Superseding agency
JurisdictionGovernment of Victoria
Agency IDPROV VA 669

The Public Works Department was a government agency which operated in Victoria between 1855 and 1987.[1]

Over its long history, the department had various responsibilities, many of which were later devolved to other departments or authorities. These included:[1]

  • Building and government accommodation services and supply of stores, furniture and equipment until 1987
  • Cemeteries until 1873
  • Furniture and equipment up to 1987
  • Licences for the occupation of unused roads and water frontages
  • Local government between 1855 and 1958
  • Main roads and bridges between 1877 and 1913
  • Marina permits until 1987
  • Metropolitan foreshores until 1956 and between 1974 and 1983
  • Ports and harbours between 1900 and 1983 which, for periods of time, included fisheries and aspects of immigration and the Alfred Graving Dock
  • Preservation of historic buildings until 1973, with preservation of historic government buildings continuing until 1983
  • Property and accommodation management until 1985
  • Tourist resorts and facilities between about 1922 and 1958
  • Water supply (metropolitan) and sewerage between 1855 and 1891
  • Water supply (rural) from 1860 and 1867
  • Wire netting advances until 1928

The department was abolished in 1987, with all major functions taken up by the newly created Ministry of Housing and Construction (Victoria).[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Agency VA 669 Public Works Department (previously the Department of the Commissioner of Public Works)". Public Records Office Victoria. Retrieved 30 October 2008.