Department of Public Works (Queensland)
In the same year, construction begins on the Suncorp Stadium redevelopment in Brisbane. The redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium was the biggest and most ambitious project of its kind ever undertaken by the Department of Public Works. It involved a significant expansion of the stadium and the implementation of extensive built infrastructure and technologically advanced building systems.
The 52,500-seat world-class venue opened in June 2003 – on budget and on time – and became home to the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team. Today, it also hosts national and international rugby union and soccer games along with State of Origin matches and music concerts.
Toowoomba South State School
Plans had been drawn for a substantial, three-storey brick building in December 1938 by Department of Public Works architect Gilbert Robert Beveridge. It was one of an important group of brick school buildings built during and after the Great Depression, initially as part of the government's unemployment relief program. Unemployment relief projects at schools, in the form of grounds improvement works, were undertaken by the previous Country and Progressive National Party government (1929-1932) led by Premier Arthur Moore. The relief work program expanded considerably in 1932 when newly elected Labor Premier William Forgan-Smith instituted a capital works program focussed on building modern infrastructure to provide relief work for unemployed Queenslanders. The "improvement" of schools was a primary aspect of the scheme. Large new buildings at Toowoomba East State School (1936) and Toowoomba North State School (1937) were constructed during this time. The relief work program ended in 1938, transitioning into a permanent, long-term, capital works program. In accordance with government policy, the Department of Public Works maintained the use of day labour for building projects.