Main Roads Department (MRD)

From Engineering Heritage Australia

Main Roads commenced as an independent organisation in 1926. Between 1926 and a reorganisation in 1930, Main Roads was managed by a Board. Members of the Main Roads Board were[1]:

E. Tindale[2] Chairman 1926 1930
R. J. Anketell Engineer 1926 - 1928
G. Dibdin Administration 1926 - 1930
W. H. Young Engineer 1929 - 1930

Main Roads Board was abolished in 1930 and the then Chairman E. Tindale was made Commissioner of Main Roads for a five year term with the powers previously vested in the Board. Following a re organisation of all Public Works, he was very soon after appointed Director of Works and Buildings, in addition to being Commissioner of Main Roads[3].

Appointees to the position of Commissioner of Main Roads were[4]:

E. Tindale 1930 - 1941
J. W. Young 1941 - 1953
J. D. Leach 1953 - 1964
J. J. G. Punch 1964 - 1965
D. H. Aitken 1965 - 1987
A. H. Tognolini 1987 - 1990
K. C. Michael 1991 - 1997
R. Drabble 1997 - 1999
G. S. Martin[5] 1999 - 2002
M. Henneveld 2002 - 2010
R. Waldock 2010 - 2016
R. Sellers 2016 - 2020
P. Woronzow (acting commissioner) 2020 –
  1. Refer Edmonds, Leigh, The Vital Link: the transition years 1996 2006, Appendix III, p. 130
  2. Edward Tindale had previously been Principal Assistant to the Engineer in Chief in the Public Works Department, Le Page, Building a State, p. 411.
  3. Le Page, Building a State, p. 471
  4. Refer Edmonds, Leigh, The Vital Link: the transition years 1996 2006, Appendix III, p. 130
  5. Greg Martin acted in the position from February 1999 to when he was formally appointed in May 2000
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