Stafford Police Station

The area experienced some growth in the interwar period, with the opening of a new quarry, but Stafford remained a semi-rural area with little residential growth. In 1940 the tramline from Lutwyche Road was extended to Stafford Road, near Clifford Street. Closer settlement was encouraged with the establishment of a housing commission estate during World War Two on the eastern side of Webster Road. Further development followed, including a new three-storey brick school building on Stafford Road (1948-9) and shopping centre near the tram terminus. These infrastructural planning changes for the area coincided with general changes in post-war Australian society felt through the return of service personnel, a baby boom and an influx of immigrants from Europe.

Stafford’s sparse population in the pre-war era had not warranted a separate police station, and was serviced by the Chermside Police. But by 1947 a population of 3,000 people were residing within one mile of the Stafford tram station, and the Stafford Progress Association began agitating for the construction of a Stafford Police Station. In July 1947 local member Frank Roberts M.L.A., wrote to the Police Commissioner that in view of the growth of the suburb and inconvenience to residents and police officers as a result of the distance separating the suburb from the Chermside police service, he recommended a new station be built.

In 1952 the Police Commissioner reported that the development of the Stafford area as a result of the housing programme of the Queensland Housing Commission would result in a considerable population increase in the following years. It was therefore essential that a police station be erected in a convenient location. A suitable site was chosen on the corner of Stafford Road and Kidgell Street but this was subsequently retained by the Housing Commission. Instead allotment 1 of subdivision 132, Parish of Kedron was gazetted as Police Reserve 1664 on 18 July 1953 and the erection of a new station was included in the 1954-55 public works programme. Construction of the police station was considered urgent.

The Police Commissioner requested that the Public Works Department design a police station suitable for four men, providing office accommodation for a Sergeant in Charge, three constables and a public office. Residential accommodation was to be provided for the Sergeant and a garage was required for the police motor vehicle. By October 1954 plans for a police station, a standard dwelling plan C and an office, were completed by the Chief Architect of Public Works. The building was to be timber framed, sheeted with weatherboards, lined and ceiled, with an asbestos corrugated cement roof. The residence provided two bedrooms, sleepout, verandah, lounge, kitchen, bath and WC. The office accommodation provided a public space, two offices, WC and landing. Electricity and water supply were connected. The building was painted internally and externally and the weatherboards were oiled. The area was fenced on four sides with one double and two single gates. A garage was built with a separate room for the storage of petrol. 

Tenders for the erection of the new building were called in the Government Gazette on 23 April 1955. The Labor Party Branch at Gordon Park complained about the non-use of government day labour, but the use of a private tender was a way of augmenting the labour supply and preventing undue delay due to the department’s large volume of work. Fresh tenders were called in June and the lowest tender of £4295 from V. W. Newell of Northgate was accepted. H. Porter, painter, and J. Spain, plumber, were the appointed sub-contactors. Construction occurred through the latter half of 1955 and on 14 December it was reported that the building was complete. The new station was opened on 13 April 1956.

In 1956 the rear porch was enclosed by removing the existing railing and sheeting the porch internally with weatherboards to sill height. Adjustable glass louvres were installed as was a half glazed door at the head of the steps. The new work was painted internally and externally. The same year a portion of the verandah adjacent to the entrance to the police office was enclosed. Venetian blinds were also added to all office windows to keep out the sun and give privacy to the offices. The open side of the laundry was also enclosed with lattice to give protection from the weather. The side verandah of the Sergeant’s residence was also enclosed with glass louvres at a cost of £93 to protect the bedroom and lounge room which were open to the verandah from the rain and to give privacy to the residential quarters. These additions made it possible to use the verandah as a sleepout.

Stafford’s population continued to increase as predicted, confirming the need for the new police station. Housing gradually replaced Stafford’s old industries, and new facilities were built, including the Queen of Apostles Church (1957) and Topic Picture Theatre (1957). By 1961 the population was over 12,000 and this reached 20,000 by 1971 (although this includes Stafford Heights and Everton Park). The police building continued to serve as the Stafford Police Station until 2006, when it was replaced by a new station on the corner of Webster Road and Lindley Street.

1. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

2. Pullar, Margaret. Historical Reports on Ambulance, Fire and Police buildings throughout Metropolitan Brisbane, A Report for the Brisbane City Council Heritage Unit. 1995

3. Brisbane City Council, Photographic Survey of Emergency Service Properties, 1995

4. Department of Environment and Resource Management, Entry on the Queensland Heritage Register, Stafford State School [601667]

5. University of Queensland, Queensland Places: Stafford, http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/782, accessed 18 September 2012

6. Department of the Premier and Cabinet, ‘$6 Million Stafford Police Station Boosts Fight Against Crime’, Ministerial Media Statements, August 2006