Darkan Road Board Office (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The building is closely associated with the provision of local government services. It was built initially for the Road’s Board and was later occupied by the users.

The building is a good example of the building style from the period, it is an important part of the town’s building stock and makes a positive contribution to the streetscape.

Physical Description

Situated in Burrowes Street it replaced the old weatherboard offices on the same site. The building has a distinctive parapet wall with a pediment over the front entrance. The walls are buttressed and the building features a central fireplace which is part of the dividing wall between the front office section and the rear meeting /storage room. Since the new Shire Complex was built in the 1960’s, the building has been used as archival storage and local newspaper (Bleat) in the rear, while the front office has been used by the Police the local APB officer, and for a short period the Darkan Toy Library. With access now available through the Health and Resources Centre the building is used for meetings, as a board room or for presentations.

History

The mid-20’s brought to a head some of the complex problems facing the West Arthur Roads Board. A number of widely scattered localities were developing their own communities, and some resentment was felt towards the centralised operations of the board in Darkan. In March 1925, a special meeting of ratepayers overwhelmingly carried out a motion of no confidence in the Board.

Evidently discontent was due to the inequitable expenditures in the various wards, and the representation of the wards on the Roads Board (1). The direction by the Minister for Local Government that an increase of board members from seven to nine guaranteed at least two new faces on the Roads Board and when two of the old Board (2) declined to stand for re-election, a new-look Board was guaranteed.

The following April (1927), a referendum was held to determine “the desirability or otherwise of the removing the Roads Board office to Duranillin.” The result was a resounding “NO” vote of 335, to a “YES” tally of only 147 votes (3). The majority of more than 2:1 in favour of the office remaining in Darkan had settled this question, which had been simmering for a number of years.

At the monthly meeting of the Board in February 1928, Board Members Johnson and Curnow put forward a motion that the new office of either brick, stone or cement bricks be built at Darkan, at an estimated cost of about seven hundred and fifty pound. However, Robert Ness successfully moved an amendment that the matter of building a new office of brick or stone be referred to the ratepayers at the Annual General Meeting to be held at Darkan on 15 March. This matter was apparently deferred until a referendum was finally held in December of that year. A narrow majority of 26 gave the go ahead for the new offices (4). Tenders were called early the following year for the brick office and board room, and work commenced in mid-1929.

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications: Few (Doorways)
Extent of original fabric: Floorboards have been replaced and some restoration had been undertaken. Access available through the Health and Resources
Centre since 2000. The original counter in the front room has
been removed.

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.