Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
78 Murray St Perth
Cnr Pier St
Telecom Museum (fmr)
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1905 to 1909
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 | |
| State Register | Registered | 31 May 1996 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture | Completed | 01 Mar 1988 | ||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 01 Dec 1975 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
The place has a pleasing architectural composition and complex fenestration and, together with the creative design of an interesting corner tower, makes an important contribution to the historical and aesthetic character of the western end of Murray Street. The place is an example of a late 1890s government building constructed, and subsequently substantially modified, by the Public Works Department to house an expanding Government Department. The place has a strong association with the architects George Temple Poole, Hillson Beasley and William Hardwick. The place demonstrates aspects of the growth and development of the Government Public Service from 1894 to 1922, and of the State in general. The place contributes to the fabric of Perth as an element surviving from a former phase of development.
Large four storey pointed brick building with horizontal bands of render. Levels differentiated by different window details. facade broken by cured bays with cupolas. Prominent classical cornice and large arch over main entry.
The building was constructed between 1892 and 1894 for the Government Printing Office which was responsible for printing Parliamentary papers, The Government Gazette, office stationary for government departments and publishing professional papers by the Government Geologist and other officers. Due to the development of Government services and population increase as a result of the Gold Boom more office space was required for staff. A new building was designed for the property to accommodate the staff required. The building was designed by George Temple Poole who was the Colonial Architect at the time. The building was designed with an innovative ventilation system which allowed air into all the rooms and floors. In 1907 further extensions were required to accommodate more Government services. The design for the extensions was drawn by Hillson Beasley Chief Architect of the Public Works Department. The Government Printers moved location in the late 1960s and the building was sold to Telecom (Telstra). The building was used as a telecommunications museum in the 1980s. Part of the building is used by Curtin University as the Graduate School of Business.
Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.
Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| W B Hardwich | Architect | - | - |
| R P & W H Vincent | Architect | - | - |
| George Temple Poole | Architect | - | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Asssessment | |||
| 720.9941 | Vanishing Ink, (1975) pp 95 by Hare, T | 1975 | |
| 1.52/76 | Heritage Place File | City of Perth | |
| Q 709.941 | 1988 ESS Essays on Art and Architecture in W. A. (1988) pp 79-80 | 1988 | |
| Thesis 1990 U. W. A New Architecture of the Gold Boom in W. A. Government Buildings under the direction of G .T. Poole 1885-1897. PP 180-181 by Van Bremen, Ingrid H | |||
| Q 720.994 | AUS Historic Places of Australia, (1978) pp 176-181 | 1978 | |
| Register of Heritage Places - Assessment Documentation Government Printing Office | 1996 | ||
| Cox Howlett Bailey Murray Street (East) Conservation Plan | 1997 |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6280 | Valuing our heritage : a series of case studies depicting the value and importance of heritage conservation in Western Australia. | Report | 2003 |
| 4712 | Government Printing Office (former) : 78 Murray Street, Perth : photographic record. | Report | 2000 |
| 4401 | Former Government Printing Office Perth Western Australia Appendices | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2000 |
| 4400 | Former Government Printing Office Perth Western Australia Conservation Plan | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2000 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Style |
|---|
| Federation Free Style |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Government & politics |
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.