Brisbane Tramways Substation No. 4 (former)

With the expansion of Brisbane’s tramway system during the 1920s, the three original tram power stations that were built at Logan Road, Woolloongabba, Countess Street, Brisbane and Light Street, Fortitude Valley, proved inadequate to the task. A new system of strategic power substations, that could generate high voltage alternating power along the tramway system, was proposed. The first of these new substations was opened at Windsor in February 1927. The Brisbane City Council approved the erection of a substation on the vacant block of land between Sexton and Sheriff Streets on Petrie Terrace in 1927. The builder was Mr. J.G. Hobbs. Due to funding shortages, particularly after the outbreak of the Great Depression in 1929, the Petrie Terrace substation was not opened until 1930. It was designated Substation Number 4 and it was the first building to appear between Sexton and Sheriff Streets. It continued to provide power to the tramlines until Council closed its tram service on 13 April 1969. Thereafter, Substation Number 4 operated as a Council storeroom and later as a carpentry workshop and residence. On 19 January 1991, tenders were called for the disposal of Substation No. 4. It was subsequently converted into a residence.