Photos from Urban Affairs and Planning
This series (NRS-15721) contains photographic material from the former Department of Urban Affairs and Planning Photographic Unit, later the Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning.
Taken between 1945 and 1999, the photographs document Sydney, its surrounding areas, and regional NSW. These images were used for planning research, publications, presentations, and documentation of official ministerial functions and events related to NSW planning strategies.
The collection covers a wide range of unique images related to state planning and environmental issues, including:
- heritage buildings and sites
- aerial views, primarily of coastal NSW and Sydney harbour foreshores, and
- various projects undertaken by the department, such as the Building Better Cities Program, the Canberra Very Fast Train project, and the construction of the M2.
Each item includes multiple images of a given subject, with more than half of the series digitised and available to search in the catalogue.
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Public buildings in NSW
This album, dating from c1880 to c1940, was created by the Government Architect's office and includes a diverse array of important public and institutional structures
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Electricity Commission
These photos record the power generation and transmission assets of the organisation and document the working conditions and social events of its employees
Maritime Services Board
A sample of the 4000+ digitised glass plate negatives from the Maritime Services Board
Government Printing Office Glass Negatives
From the late 19th century into the 20th century, photography played a significant role at the Government Printing Office, leading to a rich and varied collection of images depicting life in New South Wales
Purging pestilence – plague!
The Bubonic Plague hit Sydney in January 1900. Spreading from the waterfront, the rats carried the plague throughout the city. Within eight months 303 cases were reported and 103 people were dead
Lantern slides shown at the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition
Part of this collection of lantern slides was shown at the Franco-British Exhibition in London, 1908. Many of the slides are of typical country scenes such as saw mills, dairy farms, mining, and timber felling and hauling
Sydney Harbour Bridge
This photo series captures the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from turning the first sod to completion, including the official opening and its initial use by the public
Public buildings in NSW
This album, dating from c1880 to c1940, was created by the Government Architect's office and includes a diverse array of important public and institutional structures
Royal National Park
Many of the photos in this series depict recreational activities around Audley, showcasing people boating, playing sports, bushwalking, picnicking, and taking part in ceremonies
Scheyville Training Farm
Scheyville was a training farm for young men selected from the Sydney area and those arriving under various British immigration schemes
Photos from the railways
With around 30,000 photos from various series, you can delve into a visual history of the railways, the workers, and the stunning landscapes of Sydney and New South Wales