Full description Background
No research has yet been undertaken into the role of the Public Works Department in the supervision of public buildings and the way in which the Department exercised its responsibility for public works.
It is clear that the civil establishment of the Department always included a very significant number of architects, engineers, draftsmen and inspectors who together were responsible for supervision of all public works and buildings..
It is also apparent that most of this work was undertaken by contractors but the role and responsibility of the Department in the letting and supervision of contracts is yet to be researched.
In 1985 the Minister for Property and Services (VRG 69) became responsible for the Property and Services Division which was transferred from the Public Works Department (VA 669) to the Department of Property and Services (VA 430). From 1991 the function was transferred to the Department of Finance and from 1995 the Department of Treasury and Finance and is currently administered by the Victorian Government Property Group within that Department.
Data time period: 1836 to 2013