Townsville State Government Offices

The two-storey brick Townsville State Government Offices were opened in September 1937. The building harmonised with the adjacent Customs House. It was designed in the classical revival style by the Department of Public Works, under the chief architect Andrew Baxter Leven. It was designed for the tropical climate, with two projecting end bays with round arched window and door openings, linked by a two-storey colonnade with open verandahs, providing cross ventilation. The building was constructed using day labour. This building project and others in Townsville at the time, were credited with supplying both income and work experience to local men in difficult financial times. The project also sourced components from local companies. The external wrought iron was made by D Edwards and the internal wrought iron was produced by the Victoria Foundry. F Heatley and Sons supplied the joinery and the counters. The building was initially occupied by the Labour Agent and Lands Department on the ground floor, and the Department of Agriculture and Stock, Public Works, Workers Dwellings, Machinery Inspector, Health Inspectors and Land Court on the first floor. The building passed into private hands and is now divided into a number of separate tenancies.