Addresses
Type of place
Substation
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
Style
Free Classical
Addresses
Type of place
Substation
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
Style
Free Classical
This brick substation was constructed in 1930 as part of the interwar expansion of Brisbane’s tramway system. The three original power stations at Woolloongabba, Fortitude Valley and in Brisbane’s CBD were unable to cope with the demand of the new system which meant that a number of new power stations, including this one, needed to be constructed by the Brisbane City Council. This substation helped to power the tramways until 1969 when the system ceased operation. It later functioned as a storeroom and carpentry workshop before being sold by the council in 1991 and converted into a private residence.
Lot plan
L48_RP221203
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) HistoricalInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L48_RP221203
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) HistoricalInteractive mapping
History
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.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
Supporting images
![This is an image of ‘Brisbane Transport Substation No. 4 - Petrie Terrace - 1968’, looking south-west from the intersection of Petrie Terrace and Sheriff Street, Petrie Terrace.](/sites/default/files/styles/supporting_image_800xauto_/public/images/2021-04/BCC-B54-29246.jpg?itok=vSQWat1p)
Brisbane City Council,
'Brisbane Transport Substation No. 4 - Petrie Terrace - 1968',
Brisbane Images Collection, Brisbane City Council Library Services.
References
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Brisbane City Council, Properties on the Web, website
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Brisbane City Council, 1946 aerial photographs.
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Brisbane City Council’s Central Library, local history sheets
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Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Certificates of title and other records.
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John Oxley Library, Parish of Nundah, County of Stanley, L.A.D. of Brisbane map, (1899 land grant map).
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John Oxley Library, Brisbane Suburbs – Estate Maps
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Queensland Government, Queensland Pioneers Index 1829-1889, (Brisbane: Department of Justice and Attorney General, 2000)
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Queensland Post Office Directories, 1868-1949
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)