Shaping Our Identity: Infrastructure & Utilities

In 1867, a box drain was placed at the corner of Thorn and Limestone Streets.

A report was tabled before the committee of the Municipal Council for the removal of the old V drain to be replaced with a sawn timber drain 2ft by 18in on both sides of Bell street. In November 1870 the Municipal Council discussed repairing the drainage in Bell Street which required attention. There were two chains of thought on the construction of the drain, wood versus brick. It appears that brick had a number of disadvantages, from crumbling away, possible sinking depending on the soil type and it came at a higher cost. The alternative suggested was Iron bark hardwood. The matter was carried over to the next meeting.

The Ipswich Corporation had stone drains constructed at Thorn's buildings and in West Street in 1875. In the same year, improvements also occurred at the Ipswich Hospital, with wooden kerbing installed a a path laid down.