Menu
Becoming A City: Transport
The arrival of the motor car
The new city of Ipswich was still in reality a relaxed provincial town. Most footpaths were gravel, the streets in the CBD were unsealed and dust from passing traffic drifted into shops, in spite of the Council’s efforts to sprinkle the roads using horse-drawn water carts. “Bolts” were relatively common - horses taking fright and bolting along the street.
Road works were becoming more mechanised. In 1902, the Council held a poll because it wanted to borrow money to build drains, buy a steamroller and stone crusher and renovate the Bremer Bridge and its approaches. Citizens voted to approve the loan and only a few days later, the steamroller demonstrated its capabilities in Nicholas Street.
Better streets were becoming important because motor cars had started to make their appearance. The identity of the first Ipswich-owned car has been debated, but one very early vehicle was a Linon, owned by David Featherby who was in the Salvation Army. After receiving the vehicle, he took it in to Roberts Coachworks. According to George Roberts, the date was April 1900 and it was repainted in Salvation Army colours. His father Bert Roberts then photographed the car in Gordon Street. [1]
Motor Bus service starts
In 1911, the first motor bus company started in Ipswich. One of the directors J. P. Bottomley visited overseas bus works while on a tour of England and America. Six Lacre chassis were ordered from England and bus bodies were built locally with seating for 28 people. A brick garage was constructed in Brisbane Street and as manager, the board appointed Mr. J. Ormesher who had experience in the industry including working for the London General Busworks. [2]
