NRS-21554 | Aperture cards - plans relating to public works projects

Full description

These are aperture card copies of microfilmed plans (in NRS 15044) relating to projects proposed or conducted by the various branches of Public Works. The plans include sketches, working drawings and executed plans categorised as architectural, engineering, mechanical, electrical, structural, hydraulic and survey. Subjects include government buildings, facilities and precincts such as water supply and sewerage works, including reservoirs, dams and weirs, pipelines, pumping stations and treatment stations; wharves, jetties, boat ramps and navigational equipment; soundings, dredges and dredging; flood mitigation and drainage works; psychiatric hospitals; schools and universities; police stations, court houses and gaols; and site and locality plans. The plans were created at Head Office and in regional offices and date from the early 1800s.

In 1964, in preparation for an office relocation and anticipating less space for the storage of plans, Public Works' internal Reprographics Unit began creating microfilm copies of its hardcopy plans. These plans came from at least three “plan rooms” belonging to different units within the department. Most of the original plans were destroyed after filming but some were transferred to State Archives. The Reprographics Unit also sent a master microfilm reel to State Archives and, at the same time, created an aperture card copy for the department's reference.

In 1967, when the relocation took place, the different “plan rooms” merged into Plan Services. As projects were completed, hardcopy plans were sent to the Reprographics Unit and microfilm reels and aperture cards were created. The aperture cards were sent to Plan Services and the master reels to State Archives. Regional offices and external parties doing work for Public Works would send in aperture cards they created to Plan Services.

In 1992, the Reprographics Unit was dissolved and a tender to microfilm the hardcopy plans was let to an external bureau. This contractor provided master reels and sets of aperture cards to Plan Services. Subsequently, the master reels were sent to State Archives.

In 2009, the format for the reproduction of hardcopy plans was changed from microform to PDF. The PDF files were stored in the agency’s records management system and no “masters” were sent to State Archives.

No contemporary index to all of these aperture cards appears to have been created. These aperture cards are at least partly in order by plan room due to the copying process followed. A keyword search of item lists is the only practical way to locate a specific plan.

Please note that the item lists for this series contain many discrepancies, including typographical errors and dating inaccuracies. Users are encouraged to report such issues so that they may be corrected.