Agency
Warrnambool Harbour Board
VA 2836
1928 - 1936
Agency names
Officially known as: Warrnambool Harbour Board
The Warrnambool Harbour Board was the only agency established under the provisions of the Harbour Boards Act 1927 although the Act also made provision for the establishment of other Boards at Gippsland Lakes, Welshpool, Port Fairy and Portland. The Warrnambool Board was constituted by an Order-in-Council dated 29 May 1928. Prior to this date responsibilities were vested in the Ports and Harbours Branch of the Public Works Department (VA 669).
Constitution
The Board consisted of seven members; one appointed by the Governor-in-Council and six elected by the ratepayers of the five subdivisions comprising the proclaimed Harbour Board District. This District was defined as including the entire City and Shire of Warrnambool, parts of the Borough of Koroit and parts of the Shires of Hampden, Heytesbury, Mount Rouse and Mortlake. The Board itself appears to have been responsible to the Commissioner of Public Works.
Functions
The duties of the Board were set out in Section 39 of the Act as entailing the "exclusive management and control" of the port, all shipping and port facilities as well as the general preservation and improvement of the port. Duties entailed such activities as dredging, construction of port facilities and the drafting of port regulations.
Abolition
To finance operations, the Board derived revenue from the imposition of port tolls, rates and charges and a Harbour District Rate on all rateable land within the District which was collected on its behalf by the councils. The Board was also empowered to borrow up to 300,000 pounds by means of a Government loan as well as to acquire an overdraft not exceeding 10,000 pounds. It appears that the inability of the Board to secure this loan for what it saw as essential major port developments directly led to its demise. The decision to abolish the Board was made in September 1933 but according to the terms of the abolition agreement made with the Minister for Public Works, the Board was required to function until it had paid off its overdraft. It appears to have exercised nominal control for the next three years. The Board was officially abolished by an Order-in-Council dated 30 June 1936 with responsibilities being formally resumed by the Public Works Department (VA 669). Functions are currently exercised by the Port of Portland Authority (VA 1427).
Location of Records
See below.
Constitution
The Board consisted of seven members; one appointed by the Governor-in-Council and six elected by the ratepayers of the five subdivisions comprising the proclaimed Harbour Board District. This District was defined as including the entire City and Shire of Warrnambool, parts of the Borough of Koroit and parts of the Shires of Hampden, Heytesbury, Mount Rouse and Mortlake. The Board itself appears to have been responsible to the Commissioner of Public Works.
Functions
The duties of the Board were set out in Section 39 of the Act as entailing the "exclusive management and control" of the port, all shipping and port facilities as well as the general preservation and improvement of the port. Duties entailed such activities as dredging, construction of port facilities and the drafting of port regulations.
Abolition
To finance operations, the Board derived revenue from the imposition of port tolls, rates and charges and a Harbour District Rate on all rateable land within the District which was collected on its behalf by the councils. The Board was also empowered to borrow up to 300,000 pounds by means of a Government loan as well as to acquire an overdraft not exceeding 10,000 pounds. It appears that the inability of the Board to secure this loan for what it saw as essential major port developments directly led to its demise. The decision to abolish the Board was made in September 1933 but according to the terms of the abolition agreement made with the Minister for Public Works, the Board was required to function until it had paid off its overdraft. It appears to have exercised nominal control for the next three years. The Board was officially abolished by an Order-in-Council dated 30 June 1936 with responsibilities being formally resumed by the Public Works Department (VA 669). Functions are currently exercised by the Port of Portland Authority (VA 1427).
Location of Records
See below.
Jurisdiction: Victoria
