Yuggera Ugarapul
Queensland
Brisbane
The recent refurbishment of three historic workers’ cottages at Mt Crosby—Drayman’s Cottage No. 102 and Fireman’s Duplex No. 103 and 104—has ensured their continued use as emergency workers’ accommodation while conserving their early form and historical character.
These cottages are three of the group of 12 surviving workers’ dwellings set adjacent to the Mt Crosby Pumphouse and the conservation work has provided an authentic interpretation of 1880s workers’ dwellings at Mt Crosby. The conservation works included the removal of dilapidated fabric and later modifications which allowed for the careful reinstatement of significant heritage fabric, using like-for-like materials and traditional building trades. A detailed investigation of original paint colours informed the development of a heritage paint scheme that closely matches the cottages’ historic appearance.
The works undertaken to the Drayman’s cottage and the duplex at the Mt Crosby Pumping Station are an exemplary demonstration of best practice conservation works. Investigations were undertaken into the original verandah forms and fabric and repairs were undertaken like for like. The timber cladding and joinery repairs, brickwork conservation, replacement roof cladding and rainwater goods have all been executed to a high standard using traditional trade skills. The paint colour analysis was used to inform the external and internal paint colours. SEQ water should be commended for taking the initiative to fund an authentic conservation of these early and significant workers dwellings.
The conservation of Drayman’s Cottage No. 102 and the Fireman’s Duplex No. 103 and 104 has ensured their continued use as accommodation which is specifically provided for emergency workers supporting Seqwater’s management of the Mt Crosby Waterworks.
Jacqueline Pearce: Extent Heritage, Heritage Design Architect
Dario Dell’Annunziata: Architectural Collaborative, Director/Architect, Project Architect
Adam Perring: Architectural Collaborative, Project Architect
Mozbiz, Specialist Brick Conservation
Queensland Heritage Restorations, Other