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Public Buildings and Works
undertaken during the Administration of Governor Lachlan Macquarie [1 JANUARY
1810 TO 30 NOVEMBER 1821]
Introduction
In 1811, Governor
Macquarie abolished the employment of convicts in Government agricultural
activities, and did not reestablish their use for such activities until 1818
when the the Emu Plains Agricultural Establishment was established. After 1811,
convicts were employed in either Road or Town Gangs.
The Town Gangs were primarily involved with the construction of public
buildings. One of the most notable buildings constructed was the Hyde Park
Barracks, which was opened on 4 June 1819. Unfortunately many of the buildings
constructed during the Macquarie era were considered to be too large or
ornamental for the requirements of a convict colony, and the resulting
expenditure was also considered un-neccessary. Many of the free settlers at the
time held the opinion that the convicts could have been better utilised in
servicing their needs in the newly settled areas.
The lists below summarise 261 construction projects that were undertaken during
the period of 1 January 1810 to 30 November 1821 in New South Wales (NSW) and
Van Diemens Land (VDL) during Governor Macquarie’s administration.
The lists of projects are reproduced (with minor editorial amendments) from
those published in series one, volume ten of the Historical Records of
Australia, that was published by the Library Committee of the Commonwealth
Parliament, 1917.
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