CPHG Chair, Simon Cole will answer Kat’s questions about our latest success – the naming of a park in Coopers Plains after the mid 20th Century Dutch Houses project.
Monday 14th at about 1:20pm ABC Radio Brisbane broadcasts on 612 AM.
The Coopers Plains and Sunnybank areas will soon see a key part of their rich migration history recognised, with Brisbane City Council supporting the naming of a park on McKoy Street in Coopers Plains to ‘Dutch Houses Park’. The decision marks a significant step in acknowledging the post-World War II Dutch Housing Project—one of the most unique examples of international collaboration in Brisbane’s suburban development.
Following a proposal by the Coopers Plains History Group and supported by the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, Council has agreed that the new park name will honour the legacy of the Dutch-designed concrete houses built in the early 1950s. These houses were part of a joint initiative between the Queensland Housing Commission and the Dutch-Australian company Concrete Developments Pty. Ltd.
Over 300 homes were constructed as part of this ambitious housing solution for Brisbane’s rapidly growing post-war population. Designed and manufactured using innovative materials and construction techniques imported from the Netherlands, the houses introduced Dutch building methods to Brisbane. Today, about 70 of these homes still stand in Sunnybank and Coopers Plains and remain a powerful symbol of Brisbane’s post-war migration story. While only a handful are in private hands as cherished homes, some are still public housing owned by the state government.
Six of these publicly owned Dutch Houses, located near Lawford Street in Sunnybank, have been nominated for inclusion on the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register, despite alterations having been made to them. This proposed listing would help ensure their protection and ongoing recognition for future generations.
While ideally a commemorative park would be placed closer to this cluster of heritage-nominated homes, Brisbane City Council has acknowledged that few naming opportunities exist in the area. As McKoy Street Park sits within the original boundary of the Dutch Housing Estate, and retains a strong historical link to the project, it has been selected as the most suitable site for this lasting tribute.
“This initiative is a great example of how local stories of migration and lessons about globalized development can be preserved and shared in our public spaces,” said Simon Cole, Chair of the Coopers Plains History Group.
“We’re delighted that Council has recognised the historical importance of this unique housing project. The park renaming, together with the proposed heritage listings, helps tell a broader story about how post-war migration shaped Brisbane’s suburbs,” added Paul Budde, Chair of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre.
The naming of the park will be accompanied by interpretive signage outlining the historical significance of the Dutch Housing Project and its role in shaping Brisbane’s southern suburbs. The park will serve as a focal point for residents, visitors, and future generations to reflect on the area’s diverse and vibrant history.
At the invitation of Cr Steve Griffiths, we submitted a petition to Council calling for Lillian Avenue Park in Salisbury to be renamed Quarry Park. The park is at 313 Lillian Avenue next to the Salisbury Baptist Church. The Council is asking for information that meets its Parks Naming Procedure. The historical records and neighbours show it was a quarry used to extract gravel to build local roads. One issue is the need to distinguish the park from other parks of a similar name. Our suggestions are Salisbury Quarry Park and Lillian Quarry Park.
We are still waiting on Council’s response to our call and petition to name McKoy Street Park, Dutch Houses Park.
Dr Neville Buch has been lobbying local government on the issue of affordable insurance PLI for incorporated associations.
Simon has been working with Barbara Ravenswood, Chair of Moorooka History Group on draft text for a history board at Victory Park, corner of Evans and Beaudesert Roads.
Ongoing projects:
Composition of a publication of the Origins of Coopers Plains from before British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony) to promote Coopers Plains as the first crossroad of Brisbane. The online news source brisbansuburbseonlinenews.com.au has offered a monthly column.
Plaques in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. History board at Soden Place where Aldi and Hungry Jacks currently sits. Cr Griffiths’ support to be procured.
CoopersPlains History Group Monthly Meeting Saturday 15th of March at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for their assistance. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
Council Responds to Heritage Submission
Ongoing Projects
Council Responds to Heritage Submission
We submitted to Council’s review of the Qualified State Interest Amendment-Heritage back in June, supporting the proposed protection of five properties in Salisbury (including the factory at 11 Engineering Road) and six Dutch Houses in Coopers Plains behind St Thomas Moore College. We called for protection of two much better and original examples on McKoy Street and Macdevitt Street that are more accessible, but this was rejected. The proposed protections now go to the State government for approval.
This aerial photo of the former Rocklea Munitions Works Laboratory at 21 Engineering Street, Salisbury, shows the heritage protected part of the building, which is all that remains of it now. The extensions on the western side have been demolished. Image from Brisbane Heritage Trails.
Ongoing projects:
Composition of a publication of the Origins of Coopers Plains from before British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony) to promote Coopers Plains as the first crossroads of Brisbane.
Plaques in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. Also, recognition of the nearby former Rocklea Munitions Works Laboratory, the only building with an exterior design flair (aerial image above) in the munitions area. Cr Griffiths’ support to be procured.
Events
CoopersPlains History Group Monthly Meeting
Saturday 18th of January at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
Sunnybank/Cooper Plains Heritage Trail
Dutch Park at Cornerstone Living
Naming Quarry Park, Lillian Avenue, Salisbury
Soden Homestead
Sunnybank/Coopers Plains Heritage Trail
We submitted to Council via Cr Kim Marx’s office, a draft description for Council’s Heritage Trails in Sunnybank and Coopers Plains. We have confirmed that brochures about the Heritage Trails should be available at the Library and Local Ward Offices. We continue to advocate for QR codes in public places such as parks and active transport routes (bicycle paths, etc.). The Heritage Trails can be found on the BCC website. It’s a great resource – a veritable treasure trove of information!
Dutch Park & History Board
The park in the centre of Cornerstone Living on McKoy Street
We are urged Cr Marx’s, Runcorn Ward, to name the central park in Cornerstone Living development “Dutch Houses Park” as it is central to the original Dutch Housing Project. We asked that a board be erected in the park with its name, two photos and a basic history with a QR code. A draft of the history reads:
After the war, the ten hectares between Banoon and Coopers Plains Railway Stations this side of the line was the site of a significant public housing project in the early 1950s. Three-hundred concrete ‘Dutch Houses’ were constructed by the joint Australian-Dutch company, Concrete Developments Pty. Ltd. under contract to the Queensland Housing Commission. These houses were built from designs produced in The Netherlands during their post WWII recovery to address their housing shortage. Most of the materials and the machinery to make the concrete building blocks onsite were brought over from the Netherlands as were many of the labourers. The houses illustrate how QHC, established in 1945, sought to alleviate the housing shortage arising from Brisbane’s post-Second World War population growth and contributed to the City’s suburban development in the 1950s through collaboration with international contractors. Several examples remain nearby and a number of protected public houses are located on Lawford Street, Sunnybank, behind St Thomas Moore College.
The good news is that Cr Marx is all in favour of it and, with a petition signed by numerous local residents, it will go to Council’s first Committee meeting next year, on February 4th, for approval.
Naming Lillian Avenue Park
After receiving our research, Cr Steve Griffiths’ office created a petition to name the park at 313 Lillian Avenue, Salisbury “Quarry Park”. A history board is requested with this text:
In the 1930s, Beaudesert Road and Boundary Road in Coopers Plains were the only sealed bitumen roads in these outer communities. Salisbury expanded east along Lillian Avenue. At the time, all roads were constructed by hand with picks and shovels. Archie Hastie and Bob Cordingley were dray men who used drays to cart gravel from a quarry on this site to where the road gangs were working. It was slow and somewhat tedious work but eventually, due to their efforts, basic roads connected the small communities of Salisbury, Coopers Plains and Rocklea.
In 1869, the Soden family built a homestead on the site where Hungry Jacks, Salisbury now stands. The Sodens, who ran an Omnibus business, were significant contributors to the development of southern Brisbane. The homestead was dismantled in 1982 when Raiwena Road was put through for the Commonwealth Games (Roberts, B. 2005. A Closer Look at Coopers Plains, p. 29 – 30)CPHG has written to Hungry Jacks management to inquire as to whether they would be amenable to placing a memorial plaque at their entrance.
Newstead House renovations are complete! It’s a great time to visit!
Ongoing projects:
Composition of a publication of the Origins of Coopers Plains from before British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony) to promote Coopers Plains as the first crossroads of Brisbane.
Plaques in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. Also, recognition of the nearby Art Deco Rocklea Munitions Works Laboratory (former). Cr Griffiths’ support to be procured.
Events
CoopersPlains History Group Monthly Meeting
Saturday 21st of December at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet. https://coopersplainshistory.bshn.org/
Brisbane City Council Centenary
Naming Lillian Avenue Park
Sunnybank/Cooper Plains Heritage Trail and History Board
A History of Coopers Plains transport routes
Collaborations with Moorooka History Group
Brisbane City Council Centenary
A coalition of local history groups have come together and formed the “100 Years of Greater Brisbane Coordinating Committee” to commemorate The Centenary of the Amalgamation of the Towns and Councils of Greater Brisbane into what we now know as the Brisbane City Council. An exciting line-up of events have been scheduled for 2025, culminating in a Community History Commemoration Day at the Brisbane Town Hall on October 1st. See their Calendar of Events at https://linktr.ee/GreaterBrisbaneCentenary
For more information: https://www.greaterbrisbanecentenary.com.au/
The much ignored Bicentenary of Queensland and Brisbane got a mention last month by the Brisbane History Group at its seminar on October 27th.
Next month is 200 years since Governor Brisbane arrived to inspect the Moreton Bay Penal Colony: More information is available at https://equanimity.blog/2024/06/19/the-bicentenary-few-seem-to-care-about/
Naming Lillian Avenue Park
Cr Steve Griffiths’ office asked Moorooka History Group Chair, Barbara Ravenswood to find a park name for the old quarry site at what is currently listed as Lillian Avenue Park, next to the Baptist Church, Salisbury. She asked me (Simon, Chair of CPHG) to do it and I have done further research into a name proposed at last month’s meeting; “Quarry Park”.
Sunnybank/Cooper Plains Heritage Trail and History Board
The Dutch Housing Project Plaque proposal has progressed with a response via Cr Kim Marx’s office from Cr Tracy Davis, Civic Cabinet Chair, Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee. The proposed protection of six Dutch Houses behind St Thomas School, Sunnybank “will proceed to full Council by the end of the year to seek approval for the Minister to adopt”. In the meantime, our request for a plaque at McKoy Park, Coopers Plains was rejected, citing a) the Heritage Trails program online and b) the location from the Dutch Houses proposed for protection being too far from the park. We responded with gratitude for the information about the Heritage Trails, which we were not aware of. They can be found on the BCC website at https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/experiences-and-culture/heritage-trails. We expressed concern for those who don’t use the Internet. We also pointed out that McKoy Park is central to the original Dutch Housing Project. We proposed that an alternative site for a more general history of Coopers Plains and Sunnybank, including information about the Dutch Houses could appear on a History Board at the new shopping area on the corner of Boundary and Troughton Roads. This information can be expanded upon online at the Heritage Trails site which could accessed via a QR code on the board.
A History of Coopers Plains transport routes
I wrote a summary of transport across Coopers Plains from pre-colonial days to the present, presenting the Boundary Road level crossing as a kind of crucifix for our neighbourhood: https://equanimity.blog/coopers-plains-our-neighbourhood/
Collaborations with Moorooka History Group
The Chair of MHG, Barbara Ravenswood and I (Simon) are working more closely than ever. We attend each others’ meeting. See below in Events.
Ongoing projects:
Composition of a publication of the Origins of Coopers Plains from before British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony) to promote Coopers Plains as the first crossroads of Brisbane.
Plaques in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. Also, recognition of the nearby Art Deco Rocklea Munitions Works Laboratory (former). Cr Griffiths’ support to be procured.
Events
Moorooka History Group December Christmas Meeting
Saturday 7that 10 am, venue TBC in Moorooka. Call Barbara on 042 287 425
CoopersPlains History Group Monthly Meetings
Saturday 16th of November at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
We note the passing of Allan Waller in August, a regular at our history group and an original resident of Salisbury. After school, Allan did an apprenticeship in electro-plating at Rocklea Plating Works and did sheet-metal working at Handiworks on Evan (then Compo) Road, Salisbury. He then worked at Frigrite Air Conditioning where he met his wife Margaret, whom he leaves behind. They both worked hard and had lots of overseas trips and also saw a lot of Australia. Allan was a good husband, honest and fair and was always willing to lend a hand to all whenever he could. They fostered a six year old girl who is now 48 years old. Allan had a keen interest in history. He was a member of the Austin Car Club and researched and wrote publications for the Coopers Plains Local History Group. They include Salisbury Heritage Trails (2005) and vital assistance in compiling A Closer Look at Coopers Plains (2005). Allan moved to Sunnybank and lived there until his passing. Allan was always ready with a joke. He will be greatly missed.
Ongoing projects:
Cr Kim Marx support for a plaque at McKoy Park about the Dutch Houses – still awaiting response from her office.
Write up of the Origins of Coopers Plains from British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony circa 1824).
Plagues in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. Cr Griffiths support to be procured.
Salisbury Munitions Administration building
Coopers Plains History Group Monthly Meetings
Saturday 19th of October at 4 pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
Wednesday 11 – 12 September – Representations of Meanjin and Moreton Bay 1824-2024: A Bicentennial Symposium.
Discount offer to members
The Harry Gentle Research Centre is offering members of our history group a 50% discount on tickets to their two-day Bicentennial Symposium at the Ship Inn, South Bank on September 11th and 12th (see below). To take this offer up, please contact the Chair (Simon Cole) by commenting in the field below.
Ongoing projects:
Cr Kim Marx support for a plaque at McKoy Park about the Dutch Houses – waiting response from her office.
Write up of the Origins of Coopers Plains from British settlement (Moreton Bay Penal Colony circa 1824).
Plagues in Salisbury about the WWII Munitions Works, specifically the corner of Evans Road and Project Street in front of the still extant South Guard House. Cr Griffiths support to be procured.
Coopers Plains History Group Monthly Meetings
Saturday 21st of September at 4 – 5pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting on this post below (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
Peaks to Point Salisbury History Walk
Member discount offer to Bicentennial Symposium
Salisbury History Walk – Peaks to Point Festival
On Saturday 27th the history group led an enjoyable walk through Salisbury’s WWII ‘Rocklea Munitions Works’ and war workers’ cottages. The event was sponsored by Oxley Creek Catchment Association’s two-week Peaks to Point Festival. Although a small contingent, the participants were able to offer valuable contributions. A suggestion for at least one plaque at a central location (there are none there) seems very much in order. Below is an image of the administration building.
Discount offer to members
The Harry Gentle Research Centre is offering members of our history group a 50% discount on tickets to their two-day Bicentennial Symposium at the Ship Inn, South Bank on September 11th and 12th (see below). To take this offer up, please contact the Chair (Simon Cole) by commenting in the field below (see below).
Events
Saturday 7th September – Wunya Ngulum Welcome Everyone: The Moreton Bay Bicentennial Commemoration. History Redcliffe is working with the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and Bribie Island Historical Society to present a one day conference. The cost is $65 and includes lunch and loads of wonderful presentations and loads of inclusions in the conference satchel. PO Box 370 Redcliffe Qld 4020
Wednesday 11 – 12 September – Representations of Meanjin and Moreton Bay 1824-2024: A Bicentennial Symposium.
Coopers Plains History Group Monthly Meeting
No meeting in August Next Meeting: Saturday September 21st at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting below this post on the website (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
Welcome to email delivery of the CPHG’s eNewsletter. It is most likely the first one you have received in your Inbox and as a subscriber, it will appear once a month (except for next month as I will be away) on Monday morning following the 1st Saturday of each month.
Dutch Houses Plaque
Text for a plaque to be placed in McKoy Park has been drafted with the help of the Dutch Australia Cultural Centre and is now under review by Cr Kim Marx’s office.
Origins Project
The three main components of the Origins Project to be pursued are 1) Writing up the early history of the Coopers Plains area 2) Signposting at suburban entrances signalling ‘The First Crossroad of Moreton Bay Penal Colony’ 3) Erecting a monument to the Convict Hut station.
Bicentenary Petition
Due to insufficient interest, the petition will not go ahead. (See previous News posts for more information.)
Events
Peaks to Point Sunday 21st July – Peaks to Point Family Day. This Festival kicks off a fortnight of activities in the Oxley Creek Catchment area. CPHG will have an information stall on the day (at Oxley Creek Common, Sherwood Road). See www.peakstopoints.com.au
On Saturday 27th, our group leads a history walk around parts of Salisbury focusing on WWII heritage. For tickets, please go to https://events.humanitix.com/salisbury-history-walk
Saturday 7th September – Wunya Ngulum Welcome Everyone: The Moreton Bay Bicentennial Commemoration. History Redcliffe is working with the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and Bribie Island Historical Society to present a one day conference. The cost is $65 and includes lunch and loads of wonderful presentations and loads of inclusions in the conference satchel. PO Box 370 Redcliffe Qld 4020
Wednesday 11 – 12 September – Representations of Meanjin and Moreton Bay 1824-2024: A Bicentennial Symposium.
Coopers Plains History Group Monthly Meeting
No meeting in August Next Meeting: Saturday September 21st at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)
All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting below this post on the website (if you can’t see the comment field, click the heading above). Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.
