depression

Kirrama Range Road, Lumholtz, 1937. During the Depression, the Queensland Department of Forestry built three major access roads: the Kirrama Range Road, Kuranda-McKenzie’s Pocket-Black Mountain Road and Robson’s Creek Road at Dunbulla. The Unemployment Relief Fund covered three fifths of the total cost, which was carried out by the full-time employed at award rates and conditions. These images show works conducted on the Kirrama Range Road which would provide access to approximately 100 million feet of timber. Works such as this were a vital source of employment during the Depression. They also resulted in the modification of vast tracts of land. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Assistance to cotton growers, Upper Burnett and Callide Valley, 1937. Under the Cotton Production Relief Scheme, advances were made to ‘necessitous' cotton growers in the Upper Burnett and Callide Valleys. In 1937, a total of £20,000 was made available from the Unemployment Relief Scheme of which just over £14,317 was spent. These images show the clearing and burning of native vegetation to make way for increased cotton production. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Land reclamation for seaside allotments and recreation, Sandgate, 1937. These images appeared in the 1936-37 annual report of the Land Administration Board and show the progress of swamp-filling and land reclamation at Sandgate. The top image shows mangrove and ti-tree swamp cleared prior to filling. Soil was excavated and brought by tractor on light tracks before being dumped into the swamp. A little over half of the costs came from the Unemployment Relief Scheme. Each week, an average of 50 gained employment. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Sandgate land reclamation, 1937. These images appeared in the seventh annual report of the Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts, 1930 to 1935. To provide work for the unemployed, approval was granted for the reclamation of ti-tree and mangrove swamps at Sandgate. The total cost to June 1937 was just over £4000 and over half came from the Unemployment Relief Fund. Work was carried out under the supervision of the Public Estate Improvement Branch ‘as a full-time job on award rates and conditions’. These images show the progress of the land reclamation scheme. The report stated that ‘besides proving a great benefit to the Greater Brisbane Area by the removal of an unhealthy swamp, the land, when reclaimed would be highly suitable for utilisation as building sites, esplanade, and parking areas'. Each week, an average of 50 gained employment. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Views of Mount Spec Road, near Paluma, 1937. These images appeared in the seventh annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts, 1930 to 1935. To provide work for the unemployed during the Depression, the Main Roads Commission authorised various relief schemes throughout Queensland. In 1937, the Commission was allocated just under £15,000 in relief funds, a major reduction from the previous year. Some of these funds went towards building new tourist roads in scenic areas such as Mount Nebo and Mount Spec. These images show works completed on the Mount Spec Road, north of Townsville. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1937

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Brisbane City improvements, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. During the Depression, the Brisbane City Council drew heavily on relief funds and authorised extensive public works throughout the city. These images show several works in progress: road improvements at Bulimba, installing pipe culverts at Cannon Hill, straightening and widening Witton Creek and road improvements at Norman Park. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Brisbane school ground improvement scheme, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. Queensland schools benefited from relief funds which went towards clearing up and improving playgrounds. These images show works completed at Sherwood and Windsor State schools in Brisbane. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Queensland railway relief works, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. In 1931, the Railway Department spent over £147,000 on relief funds. Some of this went towards building the Mooloolah Tunnel as well as the overbridge and cutting shown in these pictures. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Reafforestation by relief work, Queensland, 1931. These images appeared in the first annual report of the Queensland Department of Labour and Industry on the ‘operations and proceedings’ under the Income (Unemployment Relief) Tax Acts 1930. They depict new forest roads and the raising of Bunya Pine seedlings at the ‘Brooloo’ State Forest Reserve. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Application for relief rations, Queensland 1931. The Depression era forced many Queenslanders to seek aid from the government. To receive relief rations, applicants filled out this form which requested details of their financial and marital status, time of unemployment and whether they had received relief before. After signing the back of the form, final approval was provided by a police officer who verified the applicant’s identity, commented on their character and recommended how long they should be supported. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1931

Collection of the University of Queensland Library