Irishtown Sandstone Quarry

Child Places

• 23663 Donnybrook Sandstone Quarry Government

Statement of Significance

Irishtown Sandstone Quarry is significant as the source of stone for many significant public buildings in the early half of the 20th century, and also a small number of private buildings. Donnybrook Sandstone was highly regarded as having high aesthetic value and very high quality. The place also illustrates methods of extraction of stone in the twentieth century.

Physical Description

Irishtown Sandstone Quarry is located at the end of Irishtown Road and is about a hectare of gently sloping land, which has been quarried for Donnybrook Stone. The cut face of the quarry is located at the east end of the site. One of the large circular blades remains on site. The quarry is surrounded by native forest.

History

In 1899, T. Blatchford’s report into the ‘Development of Mining in the Locality of Donnybrook’ first mentioned extensive deposits of sandstone. In 1900, the first two quarries were opened, and amalgamated under the name Donnybrook Freestone Company in 1901. In 1902, a Royal Commission reported favorably on the suitability of the sandstone for use in the new Parliament Buildings, which led to opening of two government owned quarries, in Goldfields Road (PWD 1 and PWD 2) another at Irishtown. In 1902-07, the largest use of Donnybrook Stone (known as Donnybrook Sandstone from 1912) was for State and Commonwealth buildings. It was recognized as being very first quality and better quality than Sydney Freestone, but cost of cartage to the railway prohibited its use for most private building. In 1910, Wilson and Gray were the first to quarry at Reserve 2720, but it was not considered worthwhile opening up a pit quarry there. In 1916, Reserve 2720 was vested in the Minister for Works. It was leased to the respective builders of the General Post Office, and the Commonwealth Bank, Perth, to quarry the required Donnybrook Sandstone, and subsequently well known builder A. T. Brine & Sons leased part of Reserve 2720. In 1936, 58 acres near Reserve 2720 was gazetted as Reserve 21583, for the purpose of ‘Quarry and Water’. In the 1960s, building stone was deemed a mineral under the Mining Act. Wilson, Gray & Co. Pty. Ltd. leased Reserves 2720 and 21583 to obtain stone to complete their Parliament House contract. In 1974, West Australian Sculptors’ Association was permitted to use loose stone on the quarry floor at Reserve 2720 for a stone carving exercise. In the early 2000s, renewed interest in Donnybrook Sandstone saw Irishtown Sandstone Pty Ltd lease Reserve 2720 and recommenced quarrying at the so-called Government Quarry in 2007-08.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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