Kayes Rocks

Typical of the projects undertaken under the intermittent relief work scheme instigated by the Queensland Government during the 1930s to provide unemployment relief, the beautification scheme for Kayes Rocks was probably undertaken using intermittent relief work labour. These unemployment relief funds enabled the Council to proceed with a large number of civic beautification schemes which otherwise would have meant sacrificing elements of larger infrastructure projects like the upgrading and extending of the sewerage system. Government favoured public works as a visible means of absorbing unemployment and extensive landscaping schemes including the Manly retaining wall, the foreshore retaining walls at Sandgate and various beautification schemes for parks and school grounds were vigorously pursued.

The reserve is thought to be named after Samuel Kaye, a resident of Toowong who lived adjacent (north) to the reserve site. It is thought that his residence was known as “Kaye’s Rocks”. Kaye was known as a professor of music and an importer of pianos and organs. During the 1870s he was a partner in the firm Paling, Kaye and Jefferies, importers of pianos, organs and harmoniums, located at 141 Queen Street and was established in his own business as an importer of pianos and organs at 94 Queen Street during the 1880s. He wrote a Cantate Domino for the opening of St Thomas Church, Toowong in October 1877. Kaye was one of six members appointed by the State Government to the first Toowong Shire Council formed in May 1880.

Kayes Rocks is a series of five terraces and stone retaining walls dropping from a flat pad at road level down the steep slope to the rocky river edge. The landscaped terraces are approached through a bitumened carpark off Brisbane Street. A murraya hedge forms a screen between the terraces and the carpark and is planted west of the low stone wall which marks the edge of the first terrace. From Brisbane Street, the Kayes Rocks is distinguished by the large exuberant canopy of a camphor laurel tree planted to the south on the second terrace.

The terraced area is approximately 30m x 20m and falls approximately 8.5m from the road level to the lower terrace. All terraces are grassed and the first and middle terraces have low trimmed hedges to the east edges. Seats stand on concrete slabs on all but the first terrace. A narrow concrete path threads through the middle of the site with sets of concrete and stone stairs travelling from terrace to terrace.

The stone retaining walls are composed of rough hewn stones set in a concrete mortar. The walls have a slight batter from top to bottom and curve gently out to the east. A set of concrete stairs with a narrow platform stands to the river edge of the lower terrace. Decorative metal light poles stand to the south of the path on terraces 2 and 4. The lower terrace is enclosed with a fence of round metal posts with three round metal rails. The terraces afford views across to Orleigh Park and of the Brisbane River up and down stream.

A brief inspection of Kayes Rocks reveals that the place is in a satisfactory condition. Some of the stone walls have been vandalised by graffiti and there is evidence of cracking and movement in a number of stair piers.

1. Brisbane City Council - City Assets Branch Conservation Management Study Stage 1 Report. November 2002