Maylands Brickworks to have permanent heritage listing

18/2/96

The heritage values of the historic Maylands Brickworks site are to be permanently protected.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today the brickworks would be permanently placed on the State's Register of Heritage Places.

"The brickworks are a landmark in the Maylands area and the site has important links to the history of the region," Mr Lewis said.

"When the operation closed in 1983, the local community ensured that the brickworks were not completely demolished and strongly opposed plans to fill in the clay pits for residential use.

"Since that time, the Maylands community has worked hard to improve the site, with major landscaping, paving and maintenance works to ensure public access.

"The permanent heritage listing of the brickworks by the State Government means the work of the local community has been recognised and rewarded."

Mr Lewis said the brickworks had played an important role in the industrial heritage of the region.

The brickworks were established on the Swan Bank Road in 1927 by Robert Law and King Atkins, who were both leaders in the brickmaking and contracting industries.

Law bought the Maylands site in 1922 after discovering major clay deposits there.

He built a Hoffman kiln with a 34-metre chimney stack - the only one of its type remaining in Western Australia - drying sheds, pug mill and brickmaking extruder.

By the end of World War II the Maylands plant was regarded as the most advanced in the country. It included an ultra-modern system of transferring bricks from the extruder, through the drying sheds and into the kiln.

Mr Lewis said that when the plant was in full production, it employed more than 130 workers, most of whom lived in the area.

"The brickworks became one of the major industries providing jobs in the area and as such, it has played an important part in the history of Maylands," he said.

"In fact, the entire Maylands Peninsula is a significant historic precinct given its industrial nature.

"Perth's first airport and its first major electric power generating station and gas coal works were also established there."

Mr Lewis said the brickworks were an important example of brickmaking technology and a significant example of industrial technology.

"The brickworks are generally in good condition and retain a high degree of authenticity and integrity," he said.

"The lakes formed by the clay pits are also highly regarded by the local community as a place of recreational and environmental value."

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377