The Darra locality has a long history associated with industry due to the easy access to coal (Ipswich), river, rail and port facilities and the cement and brick-making industries (Centre for the Government of Queensland 2018). In 1918, the Darra locality extending to Jindalee was identified at the Second Australian Town Planning Conference as being a place for an ‘industrial garden city’ (Centre for the Government of Queensland 2018). Town planning for the locality provided for noxious industries in proximity to the town centre and the local employment created by this industry combined with low house and land prices encouraged people to move to Darra, resulting in strong population increase.
The Darra site has been an important economic driver and supplier of building materials to the Southeast Queensland region with a history dating back to the late-1800s. In 1889 after discovering large clay deposits, William Brittain of Brittains Bricks established the brickworks company at the Darra site on Harcourt Road (TMR, n.d.). By the early 1900s, additional land was purchased by Brittains Bricks during the business’ expansion after supplies of raw materials were exhausted on their sites southwest of Darra.
Earliest available aerial imagery dated 21 April 1936 shows that the Darra site was operational as a brick manufacturing facility.
Residential dwellings are seen on adjacent land parcels and additional heavy industry (Cementco cement manufacturing activities) is visible west of the Darra train station.
Historical post office directory records dating back to 1949 documented numerous manufacturing activities in the area including manufacturing of bricks, pipes, and mosaic tiles at the Brittains site (Centre for the Government of Queensland 2018). Available records show that ML 1100 may have been granted to Brittains Bricks & Pipes Pty Limited in 1949; however, it is noted that this is based on current available records only.
| Holder Name | Held from | Held to |
|---|---|---|
| Brittains Bricks & Pipes Pty Limited | 10/10/1949 | 12/01/1971 |
| Brittains Bricks & Pipes Limited | 12/01/1971 | 25/09/1979 |
| Boral Bricks (Qld) Limited | 25/09/1979 | 12/08/2002 |
| Boral Bricks Pty Ltd | 12/08/2002 | 31/05/2016 |
| Boral CSR Bricks Pty Limited | 31/05/2016 | 11/01/2017 |
| PGH Bricks & Pavers Pty Limited | 11/01/2017 | Present |