Public Works Department (Victoria) Explained

Agency Name:	Public Works Department
Formed:	1855
Dissolved:	1987
Superseding:	Ministry of Housing and Construction (Victoria)
Jurisdiction:	Government of Victoria

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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Agency VA 669 Public Works Department (previously the Department of the Commissioner of Public Works) . Public Records Office Victoria . 2008-10-30.