economy

Empire and agribusiness: the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Company

Financial companies exerted a profound impact on the land, transforming the land itself, creating built landmarks like wool stores, and changing ownership, boundaries and the development of the lan

Kirrama Range Road, Lumholtz, 1937. During the Depression, the Queensland Department of Forestry built three major access roads: the Kirrama Range Road, Kuranda-McKenzie’s Pocket-Black Mountain Road and Robson’s Creek Road at Dunbulla. The Unemployment Relief Fund covered three fifths of the total cost, which was carried out by the full-time employed at award rates and conditions. These images show works conducted on the Kirrama Range Road which would provide access to approximately 100 million feet of timber. Works such as this were a vital source of employment during the Depression. They also resulted in the modification of vast tracts of land. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Assistance to cotton growers, Upper Burnett and Callide Valley, 1937. Under the Cotton Production Relief Scheme, advances were made to ‘necessitous' cotton growers in the Upper Burnett and Callide Valleys. In 1937, a total of £20,000 was made available from the Unemployment Relief Scheme of which just over £14,317 was spent. These images show the clearing and burning of native vegetation to make way for increased cotton production. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Views of Mount Spec Road, near Paluma, 1937. These images appeared in the seventh annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts, 1930 to 1935. To provide work for the unemployed during the Depression, the Main Roads Commission authorised various relief schemes throughout Queensland. In 1937, the Commission was allocated just under £15,000 in relief funds, a major reduction from the previous year. Some of these funds went towards building new tourist roads in scenic areas such as Mount Nebo and Mount Spec. These images show works completed on the Mount Spec Road, north of Townsville. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Brisbane City improvements, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. During the Depression, the Brisbane City Council drew heavily on relief funds and authorised extensive public works throughout the city. These images show several works in progress: road improvements at Bulimba, installing pipe culverts at Cannon Hill, straightening and widening Witton Creek and road improvements at Norman Park. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Queensland railway relief works, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. In 1931, the Railway Department spent over £147,000 on relief funds. Some of this went towards building the Mooloolah Tunnel as well as the overbridge and cutting shown in these pictures. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Application for relief rations, Queensland 1931. The Depression era forced many Queenslanders to seek aid from the government. To receive relief rations, applicants filled out this form which requested details of their financial and marital status, time of unemployment and whether they had received relief before. After signing the back of the form, final approval was provided by a police officer who verified the applicant’s identity, commented on their character and recommended how long they should be supported. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Southport intermittent relief camps, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. They depict the type of hut built by the Southport Town Council and the Coolangatta Camp. Some of the children living at the Mudgeeraba camp were photographed. The erection of a camp at Redcliffe is shown. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Mudgeeraba and Currumbin Creeks unemployment relief camps, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts, 1930. They depict the progress of cutting new roads as well as relief camps at Mudgeeraba and Currumbin Creeks. Accommodation consisted of simple timber and corrugated iron huts. At Mudgeeraba, occupants provided a personal touch by attaching fences and gardens to their new homes. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Queensland public estate improvements, 1937

QLD

Australia

See map: Google Maps

11 October 1937

25 May 2011

Location

QLD

Australia

See map: Google Maps

25 May 2011

Department of Public Lands

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

150 miles to an inch

Queensland public estate improvements, 1937. This map appeared in the annual report of the Land Administration Board and shows ‘improvements’ to the Queensland public estate made in 1937. Many of the ‘works in progress’ were facilitated by unemployment relief funds made available under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts, 1930 to 1935. Works included building a road between Amity Point and Point Lookout on Stradbroke Island as well as new forestry access roads in northern Queensland: the Kirrama Range Road, Kuranda-McKenzie’s Pocket-Black Mountain Road and Robson’s Creek Road at Danbulla. Relief Funds were also used to fill in ‘unsightly’ swamps around coastal cities and towns. Land reclamation schemes were conducted around Cairns, Sandgate and Coolangatta. Major works such as these demonstrate how the Depression was a time of both survival and profound alteration to Queensland’s cultural landscape. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937