John Joseph Doran
John Joseph Doran
(1928 - 1998)
John Joseph Doran was born in Marrickville in 1928. At that time his grandfather was the Manager of Sydney Tramways. His father worked in the Railways and Tramways Department. Doran moved to Strathfield and lived there until he was 20 years old.
His father died while he was at school and he experienced financial difficulty while studying at Sydney University. The large number of ex-servicemen studying the course also posed difficulties for him. Because of these difficulties Doran deferred his third year University study to work with the Commonwealth Experimental Building Station at North Ryde, where he worked on soil tests for foundations tested walls and houses. He gained a whole range of insights gained and this kindled his interest in building structures. He finished the course, graduated in 1951 was appointed Assistant Engineer in the City Building Surveyor's Department of The Council of the City of Sydney, checking the structural designs of consulting engineers.
He undertook further study and gained a Diploma of Town and Country Planning, also from Sydney University, in 1957; a Certificate under the LGA, 1919, as Town Planner and a Certificate under the LGA, 1919, as Building Inspector.
He progressed through various engineering positions such as senior engineer, district engineer and principal structural engineer, and in 1962 was appointed Deputy City Building Surveyor and in September 1963 City Building Surveyor.
In 1971 the Council decided to form a full Planning Department by adding that function to the City Building Surveyor's Department. Doran was appointed as City Planner and Building Surveyor, to be known generally only as City Planner, as Head of the City Planning Department This was the first appointment to such a position.
From 1963 onwards, he was a member of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and the Height of Buildings Advisory Committee, both ministerial advisory committees.
It was during the term of his appointment, that the major redevelopment of tall buildings began, transforming the CBD. He also oversaw the introduction of major changes in Town Planning, by the production of a Strategic Plan and action plans, which became the forerunners of the later planning system.
At this time the staff of the Department numbered about 150. The Council area changed several times, in line with the political fortunes of Macquarie Street. Doran remained City Planner for whatever at the time was the City of Sydney. He retired from the position of City Planner in July 1989, having been with the Council for 38.5 years, including 26 years as a department head.
He then conducted a consulting practice as a sole practitioner.
John Joseph Doran died on 22 July 1998, aged 69.
To access an oral history interview with John Joseph Doran please use this link:'
