Ascot Brick Works

Ascot Brick Works
The kilns under renovation in October 2023
Map
Alternative namesBristle Brick Works
General information
LocationWestern Australia, Australia
Address197 Grandstand Road
Town or cityAscot
CountryAustralia
Coordinates31°56′21″S 115°55′20″E / 31.9391°S 115.9221°E / -31.9391; 115.9221
Construction started1910
Completed1950
Opened1929
OwnerGovernment of Western Australia
Official nameOld Bristile Kilns
TypeState Registered Place
Designated3 July 1992
Reference no.868

The Ascot Brick Works is a heritage listed former brick works located in Ascot, Western Australia.[1] The brick works were constructed between 1929 and 1950 and used by Bristile until they ceased operations at the site in 1982.[2]

History

Pottery works were established at the site on Grandstand Road opposite Ascot Racecourse in 1910 by Piercy and Pitman.[1] This company was taken over in 1930 by H L Brisbane & Co.[3] At the time of the takeover by H L Brisbane & Co, the site had two kilns fired by wood and coal. In 1934, two new kilns were built by Ernie Banks at the site, followed by additions to the pipe and tile factories. In 1938, the business became H L Brisbane & Wunderlich Ltd.[1]

During the 1950s, extensions were carried out to the pipe and tile factories. In 1963, a major development of the pipe factory occurred, which was opened by Premier Charles Court on 12 December. In 1978, the second plant was converted to roof tile production. In 1982, Bristle's clay pipe division shut down.[1]

Current situation

The buildings were in poor structural condition,[2] and significant amount of associated equipment had disappeared. The site was assessed by the Australian Heritage commission and is on the Register of the National Estate[dubiousdiscuss].[1] In September 2022 the McGowan Government announced the successful contractor to undertake conservation works to the heritage listed Ascot Kilns and Chimney Stacks. Work was completed by 2024.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Heritage Council of Western Australia
  2. ^ a b Strutt, Jessica (2 June 2015). "Ascot's heritage-listed kiln site likely to be developed by private sector". ABC News. ABC. ABC News. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Mr. H. L. Brisbane". The Daily News (Perth, Western Australia). Vol. XLVIII, no. 16, 886. Western Australia. 17 June 1929. p. 2 (Home Final Edition). Retrieved 24 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Media statements - Hard hats meet heritage as works set to begin at Ascot Kilns". www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.