Department of Urban and Regional Development
DURD
19 December 1972 – 22 December 1975
Whitlam government Department of State for urban and regional planning, responsible for growth centres such as Albury–Wodonga, land commissions, area improvement and sewerage programs and national estate grants.
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 as a new department, with Tom Uren as Minister for Urban and Regional Development. Its functions were largely new; it took over the interim National Urban and Regional Development Authority, replaced in 1973 by the Cities Commission, which the department absorbed in 1975. On 7 October 1975 it also took over the property and survey functions of the Department of Services and Property.
Changes during its life
- Advice on growth centres and urban development
Date of absorption within 1975 not confirmed.
- Commonwealth property and land acquisition
- Surveying (Australian Survey Office)
How it ended
Abolished on 22 December 1975 by the Fraser government; its urban and regional development functions passed to the Department of Environment, Housing and Community Development, and its property and survey functions to the Department of Administrative Services.
- Commonwealth property and land acquisition
- Surveying (Australian Survey Office)
These functions had moved from the Department of Services and Property to Urban and Regional Development on 7 October 1975; their return here is inferred from this department's responsibilities.
- Urban and regional development
- Growth centres
- National estate
- Local government
Main functions
- Urban and regional development policy and planning
- Growth centres program, including Albury–Wodonga
- Land commissions and land development programs
- Area improvement and sewerage backlog programs
- National estate grants
- Commonwealth property, land acquisition and surveying (from October 1975)
Bodies in this portfolio (2)
- National Urban and Regional Development Authority 1972–1973
- Cities Commission 1973–1975
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (created it)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (took effect as it ended)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.