AGY-536 | Department of Transport [I]

Full description

The purpose of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1932 (Act No 3, 1932) was to constitute a Department of Transport “For the purposes of the improvement and co-ordination of transport” (1) The role of the Department was to administer the Government Railways Act, 1912-1931, the Transport Act, 1930; the Main Roads Act 1924-1929; the Motor Vehicles (Taxation) Act, 1924; the Motor Tax Management Act, 1914 (as amended) the Motor Traffic Act 1909- 1930 and the State Transport (Co-ordination) Act, 1931. (2)

The Act stipulated that the Department should consist of the following branches:
Railway and Tramway Transportation Branch
Highways and Roads Transportation Branch
Power and Mechanical Branch
Way and Works Branch
Commercial Branch
Finance Branch
Staff Branch
Legal Branch and
Secretary to the Board of Commissioners. The offices of the Chief Transport Commissioner and seven transport commissioners were also appointed by the Act. (3) Each of the transport commissioners headed the branch of the Department of Transport, which corresponded to his area of responsibility.

The Department of Transport was established on 22 March 1932. (4) The Department was short-lived as the content of the Act that constituted the Department and laid down its structure and functions was repealed by the Transport (Division of Functions) Act, 1932 (Act No. 31, 1932). (5)

The Department of Transport was replaced by the Ministry of Transport which commenced operations on 29 December 1932. (6)

Endnotes
1. Ministry of Transport Act, 1932 (Act No 3, 1932) s. 5.(3).
2. Ibid. s.6 (1)(a).
3. Ibid. s. 7.
4. New South Wales Government Gazette No.37, 22 March 1932, p.1403.
5. Transport (Division of Functions) Act, 1932 (Act No 31, 1932). 6. New South Wales Government Gazette No.193, 29 December 1932 Vol.4, p.4591.