Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053:schedule:5:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 5 (pt 12/42)
Character Range: 519195–521984

convict built Steam Workshop built at the same time to support the Fitzroy Dock. The northern part of this apron has had its buildings demolished (1991) except for the Administration Building adjacent to the Parramatta wharf to the main point of entry to the island.
The northern apron is also devoid of its main buildings and is now a grassed area ending in the two concrete slipways. At the western end of the island is the brick Powerhouse with its landmark brick chimney.
History:
Unless otherwise specified, the history is sourced from the Godden Mackay Logan and Government Architects Office CMPs, 2006.
In the early 1820s convict assignment was increased to provide cheap labour to free settlers and to relieve the burden on the British Treasury. For those who continued to offend, or whose crimes were such that they could not be assigned, life was often much harder. A report from Governor Bourke in 1837 on the overcrowded secondary punishment penal establishment at Norfolk Island stated the system of convict management produced 'no real reformation of heart'. This resulted in passing of 'An Act for the Conditional remission of Sentences of Convict transported to Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay and to enforce the conditions thereof' (The Public General Statutes of New South Wales: 1838-46). The Act substituting hard labour for transportation to a place of secondary punishment was introduced in June 1838. Secondary offenders 'of good conduct' who had been sentenced by the colonial courts to Norfolk Island or Moreton Bay could earn conditional remission of parts of their sentences by working in irons on the roads or other public works. The Act made labour available for public works where it was most needed, and remitting sentences reduced costs by removing men from the convict system early. In a climate of changing views about the object of punishment, it also provided a rather different opportunity for prisoner reform (2005 CMP: 2005:16). Cockatoo Island was selected by Governor George Gipps as the ideal location for a place of hard labour; isolated, easy to provision and secure, but not distant and so was 'under the very eye of authority'.
Convict settlement of Cockatoo Island 1839 - 1841
In February 1839, under direction of Governor Sir George Gipps, an initial contingent of sixty commuted prisoners from Norfolk Island was sent to Cockatoo under military escort. The initial establishment was a convict stockade, worked by men in irons, with 'no indulgence beyond the strict Government ration' to construct the convict establishment. By May, convict numbers had increased to 167. The island had ample supply of sandstone for quarrying and more permanent prisoners barracks commenced. Convicts constructed a wharf to receive essential supplies of goods