Police Station (former)

The land for the new police station was purchased form Archbishop James Duhig for £350, and the station buildings completed at a total cost of £1221. In 1935 the complex comprised the police station (a three bedroom sergeant’s residence with office at front), garage, two earth closets plus front and side fences. Although at the time the police relied on troop horse “Hammer” for transport, the acquisition of a vehicle was evidently anticipated. In 1936 the station was provided with a motorcycle, and in 1946 with a jeep.

The police had a significant role to play in distributing rations, and coordinating evacuation and air raid plans. Combined with the increase in the size of the force under Police Commissioner Carroll, the increased accommodation requirements at Mitchelton resulted in extensions to the station only a year after completion. The additional office space built in 1937 housed the relief clerk who was engaged in dealing with “the large number of people on Rations and Intermittent Relief Work”, nine hours a day, five days a week.

The Mitchelton establishment further increased over the war years, and in 1948 two constable’s residences (both of a standard plan, type S643) were built along the Kedron Avenue frontage. In 1950 additional office space was built, resulting in the bricked-under section on the corner of the building. “Residence B” remains today, furthest from the station, whilst “Residence A” has been demolished or removed. The arrangement of perimeter fence and gates, and public access gate, steps and path at the corner of Samford Road and Kedron Avenue remains as it existed in 1948.

1. Queensland Post Office Directories

2. Detail plan 1577, 7 October 1954

3. Margaret Pullar, Historical Reports on Ambulance, Fire and Police Buildings Throughout Metropolitan Brisbane, BCC Heritage Unit, 1995, pp. 10, 66-7

4. QSA A/67932-3, Works Department, Batch files C series, Mitchelton Police Station, 1932-63