The cyclone of 1918 reshaped the town of Innisfail. Over the

next two decades the town largely rebuilt itself. The Johnstone Shire

Hall, built between 1935 and 1938 following the destruction of its

predecessor by fire, is one of that generation of buildings that gives

Innisfail its special character.

In March 2006 Cyclone Larry swept across north Queensland causing

widespread damage. Innisfail suffered particularly heavy loss. Buildings

throughout the shire were destroyed or damaged. Designed to withstand

cyclone winds, the Johnstone Shire Hall stood, but the roof was stripped

away, windows blown in and water penetrated the building and damaged

finishes,fittings and furniture.

Over the last twelve months repairs have been carried out to bring the

building back to the pre-cyclone state.

The Johnstone Shire Hall is entered in the Queensland Heritage Register

as a place of cultural heritage significance. As a consequence,

development at the site is subject to the provisions of the Queensland

Heritage Act 1992. To facilitate the recent repair work an interim

assessment of cultural significance and impact of those repairs works was

prepared by Allom Lovell Architects in September 2006.

The Johnstone Shire Council has now begun planning for conservation

and adaptation of the building as part of a wider program to care for the

building.

The Conservation Management Plan is part of that program. It follows the broad approach

advocated by the Burra Charter of Australia ICOMOS, the standard for

conservation work in this country. Historical material has been

examined to understand the development of the town and the

circumstances which led to the conservation of this building. Physical

examination of the building and its context as part of a suite of similar

buildings has been carried out and a comprehensive statement of its

cultural significance prepared. Conservation policies have been

developed to ensure the appropriate care of the building as a whole and

individual elements within it. Finally a vision is articulated for the

conservation, adaptation and re-use of the building that envisages the

place so that not only will the continued use of its significant fabric be

protected, but also the significant role of the Johnstone Shire Hall as the

centre of political and community life in Innisfail.