Shire of Roebourne Office, Karratha

Statement of Significance

The Shire of Roebourne Offices are historically significant because of their association with Karratha’s development as the major administrative centre of the Shire. The building design makes an aesthetic contribution to the town as it is unobtrusive and sympathetically designed in reference to local materials and the backdrop of the Karratha Hills.

Physical Description

The Shire of Roebourne Office is a low building set on a bank of earth that rises out of a carpark. The zincalume roof and verandah adds to its squat appearance. The walls of the building are largely dark tinted glass, chocolate brown brick and aluminium tile. A colourful mosaic representing the major themes of the Shire (industry, shipping and boating, fishing and ancient Aboriginal culture) is set within the grassed embankment leading to the front entrance of the building. Landscaping includes plantings of palm trees, hedge bushes surrounding the stairwell and bougainvillea creeper. A feature wall of local stone, random laid in cement mortar marks the front of the building, and references the historical buildings of the area. The building is sympathetic to the landscape as the low and long form of the building echoes the Karratha Hills behind. The design is cyclone resistant.

History

Planning for the town of Karratha began in 1968, with the first permanent buildings constructed in 1970. The development of the town was a combined effort between the State Government and Hamersley Iron to accommodate the workforce of the Hamersley Iron mining company. The land was excised from Karratha Station.

Karratha became the administrative centre for the Shire of Roebourne in 1975, when Shire offices were relocated from Roebourne to Karratha. On the 19 May 1975, the council moved into the new Shire offices on Welcome Road and for the first time all the council staff were located in one building.

The new centrally located Shire of Roebourne Office also contained other governmental services, such as the State Library Board, which functioned as the administration centre for all the libraries in the Pilbara.

Archaeology

There is little potential for archaeology at this site

Integrity/Authenticity

Complete

Condition

Excellent

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.