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1978 CONVERSION OF HISTORIC BYRNE’S MILL, Collett St. Queanbeyan into restaurant and offices

I resigned from my position of University Architect at ANU in 1977 and with my lump sum set about restoring an abandoned flour mill in Collett St. Queanbeyan, near the river. The main building was known as Byrne’s Steam Flour Mill from its opening in 1883 but when it ceased to operate is unknown. J.B.Young P/L, a local department store, owned the mill and millhouse next door and asked me what they thought they might do with it.

My first initiative was to measure the mill and then see what could be done with it. The verandah shown above was entirely new as I felt it made a much warmer invitation to whatever the Mill had to offer and had the possibility of connecting with the big department store which fronted onto Monaro Street, the main shopping street in Queanbeyan. I was hoping that the renovated historic Mill could then be part of the shopping district. There is really so little visible and useful history left in the CBD.
My first initiative was to measure the mill and then see what could be done with it. The verandah shown above was entirely new as I felt it made a much warmer invitation to whatever the Mill had to offer and had the possibility of connecting with the big department store which fronted onto Monaro Street, the main shopping street in Queanbeyan. I was hoping that the renovated historic Mill could then be part of the shopping district. There is really so little visible and useful history left in the CBD.
Byrnes Mill as seen in 2014 from Collett St – the only significant historical place associated a its Millhouse and potential public gathering space in central Queanbeyan. Restored in 1977 by me. Copy of these pages and other papers sent to Queanbeyan Historical Society 17 Aug. 2015
Byrnes Mill as seen in 2014 from Collett St – the only significant historical place associated a its Millhouse and potential public gathering space in central Queanbeyan. Restored in 1977 by me. Copy of these pages and other papers sent to Queanbeyan Historical Society 17 Aug. 2015
Byrne’s Mill precinct proposal showing its potential as part of Queanbeyan’s history for future generations. Submitted to Queanbeyan Council in 1978. The Mill would serve Queanbeyan better as a home for its collection of historic implements and records and help to create a better tourist centre than what currently exists in 2016.
Byrne’s Mill precinct proposal showing its potential as part of Queanbeyan’s history for future generations.
Submitted to Queanbeyan Council in 1978.
The Mill would serve Queanbeyan better as a home for its collection of historic implements and records and help to create a better tourist centre than what currently exists in 2016.