Journal Article

The South Brisbane area has played an important role in the development of the city. This paper examines the major periods of growth and decline in South Brisbane in the past 150 years. First, the early importance of the south bank as a shipping centre is examined. The second major period was the 1850s which saw the area decline as focus for shipping activity. The third phase in area's development, from 1860 to 1880, was principally as a residential sector. The fourth stage, from 1880 to the early 1890s, was the south bank's boom period. The last stage from 1900 to 1970s saw the area gradually decline in importance as a commercial and residential sector. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the subsequent papers which examine some aspects of the history of the South Brisbane in detail. The aim therefore is to take a broad view of the history of the area, to highlight the major factors which have shaped the development of the South Brisbane.