HM Customs House & Bond Store (fmr)

Statement of Significance

HM Custom and Bond Store (fmr), a single storey brick and iron building, has cultural heritage significance because:
the Government Customs Service and its attendant Bond Store was an integral part of the commercial life in the Port of Bunbury and was linked business, railway, shipping and harbour facilities.

Physical Description

HM Customs and Bond Store (fmr) is a single storey brick and iron building designed in the Federation Colonial style of architecture. The walls are rendered and painted brick and the roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. There is a verandah to the front of the building under a separate roof supported by timber posts with a lattice frieze. The asymemetrical façade has a single front door and double hung sash window. The building has undergone alterations and additions and is now enclosed by a high brick wall making further description difficult. A brick chimney is evident.

History

Prior to the federation of Australia in 1901, the various colonies were responsible for controlling the movement of people, goods and ships within their waters. While the other colonies were responsible for their own policies and procedures under direction from London, Western Australia was self regulating from the time of initial white settlement.

After Federation, customs was one of the first services to be transferred to the Commonwealth, including operations, staff and buildings. After initial problems with inconsistencies between the various colonies’ procedures, the national Customs Department came into being. It was believed that a united Customs Department would better enforce the laws designed to protect and promote the security and prosperity of the new nation.

Bunbury’s Customs House and Bond Store was built in 1892/93 by the Western Australian colonial government at a cost of £800. Attached to the end of the Railway Goods Shed (1893), the Custom’s House was in the perfect location to monitor the movement of goods freighted by ship or rail in and out of Bunbury. Goods were held in the Bond Store until the customs duties were paid.

The Customs House and Bond Store were an integral part of the economic and commercial life of the port of Bunbury, where revenues and duties from harbour and shipping activities were collected and where immigration matters were dealt with.

When new premises were built at the corner of Eliot and Victoria Streets in 1958, the old customs house and bond store fell into disuse.

The old Customs House and Bond Store were earmarked for demolition when the railway marshalling yards were removed in the 1980s. A concerted effort by local conservationists, including a petition, persuaded Bunbury Council to look at other options for the place. As a result, the Customs House and Bond Store was virtually rebuilt and converted for use as a fine dining restaurant. H M Customs Restaurant ceased trading in late 1999.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear).
Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

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.