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On The Homefront: Transport
During the years after World War 1 the numbers of vehicles on Queensland roads had increased exponentially. During the decade to 1941 vehicle numbers almost doubled from around 68,000 to 130,000. The numbers of motor vehicles registered in Queensland then remained static during the war, but it took only five years after the war for the numbers to almost double again, with over 211,000 registered vehicles in Queensland in mid 1950, despite petrol rationing only being lifted in 1949.[1]
One of the last Queensland Post Office Directories published yields a snapshot of transport-related services available in Ipswich.[2] Although dated 1941, the entries reflect the previous year, or sometimes even 1939. At the beginning of the war, Ipswich was well supplied with, dealers and repairers of motor vehicles, motor cycles and bicycles. There was also at least one bicycle manufacturer – “Bon-Ton” Cycle Works, in Bremer Street, as well as coachbuilders, Broughton Bros, in Nicholas Street. A total of 18 companies or individuals offered motor car services including fuel supplies. Some of these also sold motor cars and trucks, but there were others as well, including Cribb & Foote, McCarthy’s Cycles, and West Moreton Motors. One each of “motor trimmer”, tyre vulcanizing works, and oil and petrol merchant were advertised.
Despite the almost complete taking over of transport of goods and people by motorised vehicles three saddlers still traded in the central Ipswich city area.
Three bus companies provided transport – Booval Motor Bus Company and C.T. Bowling, both based at Booval, and Pioneer Bus Service in North Ipswich. Later during the 1940s bus services were provided by Ipswich Bus Service, and Millar’s, which ran a daily passenger service between Brisbane (via Ipswich) and Lismore. Greyhound, established in Toowoomba in 1928, also offered routes in the Ipswich area.
Bicycle and motor cycle clubs held local competitions and runs, and “Speedway” meets were held at the Ipswich Showgrounds for motor cycle racing enthusiasts. The printed program for the September 1950 races included advertisements for Ipswich businesses selling motor cycles and bicycles, and accessories.
The unrealised 1949 Master Plan acknowledged the increase in numbers, sizes and weights of vehicles in Ipswich since the war, and made a number of recommendations about roads and parking. The Plan also recognised and promoted the importance of catering for pedestrian traffic in the central city area via level (or reasonably flat) footpaths, wide enough to cater for “surging crowds of pedestrians about the shopping areas”.
Transport in Times of War
In her history Ipswich Rationing on the Homefront, Helen McMonagle recounted the reminiscences of community members and their day-to-day difficulties caused by rationing of fuel and tyres:
Due to the severe war-time petrol rationing between 1940 and 1949, many Ipswich motorists cancelled their car registrations and put their cars on blocks for the duration of the war. Those who continued to run their vehicles mostly used them for Sunday drives or long holidays, which people saved up coupons for. Others of course were more fortunate, such as those who ran or worked in car yards and petrol stations; some added kerosene to the petrol to make it last longer, but this was, apparently, illegal. Cars were also converted to run on gas made from charcoal in specially-fitted gas producers.
Many locals travelled to walk on foot, or by bicycle or bus, even if they owned a car. Apparently the Committee of St Paul’s Church considered giving their Curate a horse and sulky to ensure he could do his rounds. Unlike in the capital, travel to work was difficult for many – the big employers such as the railway workshops, woollen mils and mines were not necessarily within easy walking distance of workers’ homes, and the public transport system was relatively poor.
Fuel rationing even affected parks maintenance. The Queensland Times of 7 February 1944 reported comments by the Parks Curator, Mr. T.W. Wall, that he used a horse-drawn mower, as well as only one motor mower, in his efforts for keep the grass in Ipswich's 13 parks mowed.
Air Transport
Air travel did not feature heavily in Ipswich and surrounds. The 1949 Master Plan recommended infrastructure upgrades to make Amberley into a more viable civil aviation centre, but such work was well outside the ambit of local government:
Amberley Aerodrome, being situated 2½ miles from the City, is the Airport for Ipswich. It is already carrying freight between Ipswich and all parts of the Commonwealth, and passenger traffic will increase, though at present this is on a minor scale… The aerodrome proper is under the control of the Commonwealth Government, and considerable improvement to approach roads, buildings etc. would be required to make it convenient for passenger traffic.
[1] Main Roads Commission, Annual Report, 1940, 1950, 1955.
[2] Queensland Post Office Directory, 1941.
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