Dates

• Existence: 1923 - 1982

Biography

The City Engineers Department originated out of the roles of the City Surveyor and Engineer. The role of City Surveyor was instituted in 1862, the same year that Christchurch City Council was established.

Prior to 1900 the Council used consultants to undertake engineering works, most notably E. Dobson and Son. It was the "Son", Arthur Dudley Dobson who became the first City Engineer in 1900 until 1921. This forms the beginning of an official City Engineer's Department at Christchurch City Council.

By 1919 Dobson managed an Electrical Department which included a Waterworks Department and a Superintendent of Parks and Gardens. By 1921 a separate Electricity Department had been established. A.R. Galbraith was appointed the City Engineer in 1925 and within a few months had reorganised the department and by the end of his first year had almost doubled the number of permanant staff.

The department from when it was first established included an Inspector of Buildings. The functions of managing buildings and building consents remained with this Department until it became the City Works and Planning Department in 1982.

In 1927, following the passing of the Town Planning Act 1926, work began on a Town Planning Scheme and by 1938 a Town Planning Officer and Surveyor roles had been established as part of the department.

In 1958 the Design Section of the department was established to design roads, bridges and airport works.

In 1969 the department was responsible for maintenance of streetworks; planning desogn and construction of new roads, streets and bridges, waterworks; dust and refuse; town planning; architectural and design; traffic engineering.

As of 1975 the department included a City Architect's Division, Town Planning Division, Buildings Division, Design Division, Streetworks Division, South Belt Yard and Waterworks Division.

The City Engineer's Department became the City Works and Planning Department in 1982.

Found in 13 Collections and/or Records: