Ascot Brick Works Explained

Ascot Brick Works
Alternate Names:Bristle Brick Works
Owner:Government of Western Australia
Location:Western Australia, Australia
Address:197 Grandstand Road
Location Town:Ascot
Location Country:Australia
Coordinates:-31.9391°N 115.9221°W
Start Date:1910
Completion Date:1950
Opened Date:1929
Embedded:
Embed:yes
Designation1:State Register of Heritage Places
Designation1 Offname:Old Bristile Kilns
Designation1 Type:State Registered Place
Designation1 Date:3 July 1992

The Ascot Brick Works is a heritage listed former brick works located in Ascot, Western Australia.[1] The brick works were constructed between 1929 and 1950 and used by Bristile until they ceased operations at the site in 1982.[2]

History

Pottery works were established at the site on Grandstand Road opposite Ascot Racecourse in 1910 by Piercy and Pitman.[1] This company was taken over in 1930 by H L Brisbane & Co.[3] At the time of the takeover by H L Brisbane & Co, the site had two kilns fired by wood and coal. In 1934, two new kilns were built by Ernie Banks at the site, followed by additions to the pipe and tile factories. In 1938, the business became H L Brisbane & Wunderlich Ltd.[1]

During the 1950s, extensions were carried out to the pipe and tile factories. In 1963, a major development of the pipe factory occurred, which was opened by Premier Charles Court on 12 December. In 1978, the second plant was converted to roof tile production. In 1982, Bristle's clay pipe division shut down.[1]

Current situation

The buildings are in poor structural condition,[2] and their associated equipment has disappeared. The site has been assessed by the Australian Heritage commission and is on the Register of the National Estate.[1] In September 2022 the McGowan Government announced the successful contractor to undertake conservation works to the heritage listed Ascot Kilns and Chimney Stacks. Work was expected to be completed by the end of 2023.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/67a74768-189d-428b-9a8c-528d526fcabc Heritage Council of Western Australia
  2. News: Strutt . Jessica . Ascot's heritage-listed kiln site likely to be developed by private sector . 19 July 2019 . ABC News . ABC News . ABC . 2 June 2015.
  3. News: Mr. H. L. Brisbane. . . XLVIII . 16,886 . Western Australia . 17 June 1929 . 24 October 2023 . 2 (Home Final Edition) . National Library of Australia.
  4. Web site: Media statements - Hard hats meet heritage as works set to begin at Ascot Kilns . 2023-02-03 . www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203012942/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/09/Hard-hats-meet-heritage-as-works-set-to-begin-at-Ascot-Kilns.aspx . dead .