Perth Town Hall entered on heritage register

30/5/95

The oldest feature of the city's Colonial Heritage Precinct has been permanently placed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis announced today that the Perth Town Hall had been entered on the register to ensure its protection under the Heritage of Western Australia Act.

"The building is an important part of the precinct which is a focus of the Government's plan 'Perth - A City for People'," Mr Lewis said.

"As part of the plan, the town hall will be restored and a town square will replace the neighbouring BankWest building."

The Minister said the town hall had provided a focus for civic administration, political activities and social functions since it was officially opened on Foundation Day in 1870.

"The town hall was one of the many public buildings constructed by convict labourers who had a large impact on the social and economic fabric of the growing Swan River Colony," Mr Lewis said.

"When work on the building began in 1867 the continued transportation of convicts was in doubt and efforts were made to finish the town hall as quickly as possible."

The final cost of the building was £4,567/0/11, exclusive of convict labour.

The opening of the town hall coincided with the announcement that Western Australia had been granted representative Government.

Subsequently, a Legislative Council Chamber was built in the courtyard at the east end of the building.

On December 5, 1870 the first Legislative Assembly was sworn in at the town hall and in early 1871 the first meeting of the Perth City Council was held there.

Mr Lewis said that around the turn of the century it was suggested that the town hall be demolished to make way for a larger building.

"The debate continued until September 1924 when the Perth City Council resolved to purchase the Strelitz Building in Murray Street for offices and council chambers using revenue generated by the decision to convert the ground floor of the town hall into shops," he said.

The brick arcades on the Hay Street frontage were removed in 1925 and replaced with steel columns and beams to form shop fronts.

The building is in the Victorian Free Gothic style and is regarded as a rare Australian example of a nineteenth century town hall modelled on those of fourteenth century European market towns.

The Minister said the town hall was an integral part of the Government's plan to revitalise the city.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595 or 221 1377