Ithaca Town/Ithaca Shire
The Ithaca Shire was a former local government area in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, with a rich history rooted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Origins and Evolution:
Named after Ithaca, Greece: The shire was named by Sir George Bowen, Queensland's first Governor, after the birthplace of his wife, Lady Roma Diamantina Bowen.
Ithaca Division (1879): The area initially began as the "Division of Ithaca" in 1879, covering a much larger area that included most of Brisbane's western suburbs, from Kelvin Grove Road to Mount Coot-tha.
Ithaca Shire (1887): The Division of Ithaca was reconstituted, and the "Shire of Ithaca" was proclaimed on August 18, 1887. This area was smaller, roughly 11.5 sq km (about a tenth of the former division), and included localities like Paddington and Red Hill.
Town of Ithaca (1903): The shire was then designated as the "Town of Ithaca" on August 19, 1903.
Key Characteristics and Development:
Population and Revenue: By 1925, just before its amalgamation into Greater Brisbane, the Town of Ithaca was described as a "salubrious suburb" with a significant population (close to 10,000 persons) and healthy revenue, making it the third most densely populated metropolitan municipality in Brisbane.
Infrastructure and Services: The council focused on vital public services, including roads, bridges, water, sanitation, drainage, public health, parks, cemeteries, libraries, recreational facilities, and street lighting. They also regulated building construction, fire prevention, and public nuisances.
Town Hall: The Ithaca Town Council Chambers, a significant heritage-listed building, was constructed in 1910 on Enoggera Terrace. It housed the council chambers and offices for the Town Clerk, Accountant, Mayor, and Engineer.
Early Planning: The council engaged in early urban planning, purchasing Gilbert Park for open space in 1912 and enacting planning bylaws in 1924, taking control over industrial areas.
Abolition:
Greater Brisbane Amalgamation (1925): The Ithaca Town Council ceased to exist on October 1, 1925, when it was amalgamated into the newly created City of Brisbane under the City of Brisbane Act 1924. This was a significant event that brought together numerous local authorities to form the larger Brisbane City Council.
Legacy: While the Ithaca Shire no longer exists as a separate local government entity, its name persists in several local places and institutions in Brisbane, including:
Ithaca Hall: The former Ithaca Town Hall building, now a community hall.
Ithaca War Memorial: Located on Enoggera Terrace, Paddington.
Ithaca Fire Station (former): At 140 Enoggera Terrace, Paddington.
Ithaca Swimming Pool: On Caxton Street, Paddington.
Ithaca Creek State School: In Bardon.
Ithaca Creek: A significant waterway.
The former Ithaca Town Council Chambers building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, recognising its historical and architectural significance. The building went on to serve as the Ithaca Library and Red Hill Kindergarten, and is now run by Communify, reflecting its continued use for community services.
