Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
Constructed in 1887, the Coronation Drive [North Quay] retaining wall is as an early example in Queensland of mass concrete technology and is a major engineering achievement of the period.
Criterion DThe place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
Constructed in 1887, the Coronation Drive [North Quay] retaining wall is as an early example in Queensland of mass concrete technology and is a major engineering achievement of the period.
Criterion FThe place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.
Constructed in 1887, the Coronation Drive [North Quay] retaining wall is as an early example in Queensland of mass concrete technology and is a major engineering achievement of the period.
Criterion HThe place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland’s history.
The retaining wall is as an example of the work of George E Willcocks, a contractor who was responsible for a number of large public projects.
History
In late January 1887 Brisbane experienced severe storms which resulted in flash flooding and damage throughout the city. A couple of weeks after the floods, sections of the river bank and road along North Quay fell into the river. An existing embankment and 'dry stone wall' had been undercut and collapsed. The Municipal Council of Brisbane was advised by their Chief Engineer, Thomas Kirk, of several options for dealing with the problem. The council decided on the most permanent solution - to construct a mass concrete retaining wall at an approximate cost of £13,000.
Kirk's choice of concrete rather than masonry work was quite adventurous, as mass concrete technology was new to Australia. Kirk prepared the designs and the contract was awarded to George E Willcocks. Work began in May and the actual construction time was shorter than even Willcocks' optimistic estimate - the road was opened four months later. One of the most challenging tasks in the construction involved massive excavations, the deepest being for a huge coffer dam which kept the river waters out of the site. The men preparing the foundations many feet below the low tide mark worked behind this dam with the full force of the water bearing on the other side.
G E Willcocks had been involved in railway construction in South Africa in the early 1880s. After hearing of the Queensland government's plan to borrow £10 000 000 for an expanded railway construction programme, he migrated to Australia in 1885. In 1886 he began a long career in municipal and government works by winning a contract for building a storm water drainage system in South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point. Other public works followed - Stratton Drain, the Ann Street wall, the North Quay (now Coronation Drive) wall, extensive railway works in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales and the wood blocking of Queen and George Streets.
The stone cappings which were on the piers have been replaced with bricks. A section of the western end of the wall was moved in 1983.
