VPRS 16189 Building Plans (Public, Civic and Commercial)

Under the provisions of the Local Government Act, councils were given wide-ranging powers for the making of by-laws to regulate the erection and construction of buildings and such other structures as advertising signs within the municipality. (See VPRS 15814 Local Laws (or by-laws), 1856-1974.) Councils were able to regulate the type of materials used and the manner in which they were used. This led to the development of the system whereby permits had to be obtained and plans and specifications submitted before any works could commence and with the execution of the work monitored by the Council City Surveyor and later the Building Inspector. These plans were found in a state of disarray. On some of the back of the plans the name of the ward is clearly written. This indicates that the plans may have been arranged according to the municpal ward into which the property was located.Some of the plans were stamped, which may indicate approval by the building surveyor. This stamp and date of approval may apppear on the front or back of the plans. Some plans were marked as Cancelled" or "Did not proceed, thus unapproved. Not all plans were dated. Some plans included specifications by the builder. The plans were mainly of factories, warehouses, offices, hotels, shops and public buildings such as churches.