Greenbushes Road Board Office

Statement of Significance

Significant to the history of the development of Greenbushes. The building is a fine example of a public building constructed in the south west of Western Australia at the period around the turn of the century and is of aesthetic significance. Aesthetic Value The Greenbushes Roads Board Office, sited prominently on the main street, has landmark value as an early twentieth century (Federation Free style) government building. Historic Value The Roads Board Office is of historic value as a place of governance of both town and district development. Research Value NA Social Value The Roads Board building has significant Social Value to the Greenbushes community and surrounding localities.

Physical Description

The building is constructed of rendered brick and corrugated iron. The building is constructed of tuck pointed masonry walls, with a corrugated iron hipped and gabled roof. There is a rendered parapet to the front elevation with a central triangular pediment. The building retains original detailing including window openings and frames, however the front door has been replaced. Internally the building has original pressed metal ceilings and original furnishings including the Road Board table and chairs. There are some more recent stud walls and the building has been extended at the back to provide toilet facilities. The building has been repainted to the original colour scheme recently through the Greenbushes Townscape program.

History

Prior to this building, the Greenbushes Roads Board office was run from a timber and canvas construction, somewhere along Blackwood Road. This site was originally allotted for the purpose of a Town Hall and municipal purposes, however in 1905 the Lands Department changed the allotment to a reserve for the purpose of a Roads Board. The Greenbushes Roads Board was gazetted in 1900, with construction of the Greenbushes Roads Board Office having been completed in October 1907. Whilst under the direction of the Roads Board, the building was only used for Roads Board meetings, with only one ongoing exception being meetings of the Hospital Board. On 1 July 1961, the Greenbushes and Bridgetown Roads Boards each became shires following changes to the Local Government Act. On 26 March 1970 the two shires were merged as the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, leaving the Greenbushes Roads Board building surplus to Local Government needs. The building is now primarily used by the Greenbushes Residents & Ratepayers Association for monthly meetings and by the Greenbushes Tidy Towns Committee.

Integrity/Authenticity

Although the building is no longer used as the Roads Board/Shire Offices, it is still used as a community meeting hall. Medium level of Integrity. High degree of authenticity - alterations and additions to the back, however the front and interior of the building remain largely original, including some original furniture retained

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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