ArchivesACT has chosen a register recording some of the earliest information about private building applications and permits processed by the Federal Capital Commission (FCC) as its Find of the Month for June.
ArchivesACT said the register, with records from 1925-1930, was originally held by the National Archives of Australia, but was transferred to ACT Government custody upon self-Government.
“It is an interesting document because it lists not only the original lessees of blocks of land, but also the connections between the architects and builders that designed and constructed the original buildings on each block,” ArchivesACT said.
“We felt the FCC’s Record of building applications and permits issued 1925-1953 was well worth looking at in this month’s article,” it said.
“The Commission’s first annual report shows that following the sale of leaseholds ‘buildings of an approved character must be commenced within two years’ and that ‘work carried on by private enterprise may only be performed by registered contractors, in accordance with plans which are signed by registered architects and approved by the Commission’.”
ArchivesACT said the progression of this approval process could be followed for each block of leasehold land listed in the register.
It said one of the earliest entries showed JB Young’s application to build a store in Eastlake (now Kingston) designed by JW Sproule and built by J Howie and Sons.
“Applications for other types of buildings such as garages, picture theatres, churches and banks are all well represented in the register, as well as private residences often described as cottages.”
Further information on ArchivesACT’s ‘Find of the Month’ for June can be accessed at this PS News link.
