City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department I

Unique IDAG-0078DescriptionThe City Architect and City Building Surveyor had statutory responsibilities under the Sydney Corporation Act 1879 and the City of Sydney Improvement Act 1879 to regulate building in the City. This involved the approval of building applications and inspection of building work. The Department was also responsible for the construction and maintenance of Council owned buildings. This included the preparation of architectural plans for Council.

From the first appointment of a City Surveyor in 1847 the offices of City Architect and City Building Surveyor were subject to a great deal of administrative change. The first surveyor was Michael Golden who was appointed as Superintendent of the Building Act and later called Surveyor of Buildings. In 1858 the position of Building Surveyor was abolished and a new Building Surveyor was not appointed until May 1860. The first Architect appointed was Albert Bond in 1873.

In 1881 the offices were amalgamated when Thomas Sapsford was appointed City Architect and City Building Surveyor.

In 1900 the Department was amalgamated briefly with the City Surveyor's Department, but this was found to be unworkable and they were separated in 1901 upon the recommendation of the Acting Town Clerk, J R Palmer.

In 1925, the Building Construction Branch, which was responsible for construction and maintenance of Council-owned buildings, was separated to form a new Department, CA 93, Building Constructor's Department. This was a result of an investigation by Lord Mayor P V Stokes, who claimed that the Building Construction Branch was perhaps the biggest and most important part of the Department, and required the services of a man in control with the status of a head of department.

In 1928, after the Council had been replaced by Commissioners, this Department was
amalgamated with three others to become CA 61, City Engineering and Building Surveyor's Department, 1928 to 1936.CreationResolution of Council 1881AbolitionResolution of Council 31 August 1928

Position

Series

Agency

Description

Start date qualifierbyStart date31st December 1881End date31st August 1928Relationship legacy dataPRECEDED BY: City of Sydney Improvement Board AG-0181 (by 01/01/1896)
PRECEDED BY: City Architect AG-0077 (by 31/12/1881)
PRECEDED BY: Building Surveyor AG-0076 (by 31/12/1881)
RELATED TO: Sydney City Council OR-0001 (31/12/1881 to 31/08/1928)
RELATED TO: Building and development regulation FN-0010 (31/12/1881 to 31/08/1928)
RELATED TO: Property management FN-0006 (31/12/1881 to 31/08/1928)
Source System ID78

Relationships

Preceding agenciesBuilding SurveyorCity ArchitectCity of Sydney Improvement BoardOrganisationSydney City CouncilRelated functionsProperty managementBuilding and development regulation

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City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department I