Local Government
Broome
Region
Kimberley
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
8 Hamersley St Broome
Location Details
Cnr Frederick St
Other Name(s)
Cable Station, Cable House
Public Works Department
Construction Date
Constructed from 1889, Constructed from 1921
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 28 Aug 2014 | ||
| State Register | Registered | 28 Aug 2001 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 13 Aug 1973 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Aug 2014 | Grading A |
Grading A |
|
Statement of Significance
Broome Courthouse is of considerable significance for the associations with the cable that was a communication link with the rest of the world, for continuous judicial associations since 1921, and as a place of social gatherings since the 1980s, as a venue for a market. The design and aesthetic are significant for response to the tropical climate and the use of prefabricated iron members. The setting and the Broome Courthouse make a considerable contribution to the streetscape, character and townscape of Broome.
Physical Description
Set central within a broad parkland tropical setting with extensive mature palms and tropical plantings. Single storey timber framed corrugated iron clad building raised from the ground on concrete pillars. The hipped corrugated iron roof with monitor vents extends over the perimeter verandahs.
History
In 1886, the Government arranged to extend the coastal telegraph line from Roebourne to Derby, via Roebuck Bay. A telegraph station was built at Broome and the line opened in January 1889. In 1888, the two undersea telegraph cables linking Java and Darwin were broken by volcanic activity and the Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Company (E.E.T. Company), which operated the cable, decided to lay another cable from Java to Beagle Bay. The Company was requested to land the cable at Roebuck Bay, rather than Beagle Bay, which it did. The E.E.T. Company provided a Cable Station for erection at Broome to house the telegraph room and staff. The Cable Station was occupied in November 1889 and included a billiard room. The Station staff were provided with Indian servants in white uniforms, red sashes and turbans. The presence of the Cable Station provided an impetus for the development of the town. In 1901, a new cable was laid from Durban to Adelaide and by 1913, the cable to Broome carried as few as six messages a day. The Cable Station was closed on 31 March 1914. In 1921, the Government purchased the Cable Station and converted it into a Courthouse. The existing Broome courthouse, on a nearby site, was converted for use as police station and quarters. The Broome Courthouse opened on 6 September 1921. The Clerk of Courts occupied quarters at the rear of the building. In 1963, the PWD built a house for the Resident Magistrate on the northwest corner of the site and the Clerk of Courts occupied the Residency. The grounds were landscaped by the Broome Botanical Society in the 1980s, and some years later the Saturday morning Court House Markets were established after several organisations held stalls in the grounds.
Integrity/Authenticity
High degree
High degree
Condition
Good
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register documentation | |||
| Heritage Council:" Assessment Documentation" | |||
| Conservation Professionals;"Conservation Plan Broome Courthouse". | 1995 |
Other Reference Numbers
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| No.13 | MI Place No. |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5006 | Technical clauses : IT cabling upgrades for various courts. | Report | 2001 |
| 8335 | Historic buildings of the Kimberley region of W.A. | Book | 1988 |
| 2530 | Broome Court House (Former Cable Station): Conservation Plan | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1996 |
| 9600 | Broome: maps and places of heritage interest. | Heritage Study {Other} | 0 |
| 11985 | Broome Cable Station inspection | Heritage Study {Other} | 2022 |
| 9757 | Broome Magistrate's House(fmr) Frederick Street, Broome | Archival Record | 2011 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Other |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Courthouse |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Other Style |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
| Wall | TIMBER | Other Timber |
| Roof | BRICK | Common Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Technology & technological change |
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Law & order |
Creation Date
30 May 1989Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
20 Oct 2020Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.