Merrimac Drains Historic Landscape

Merrimac Drains Historic Landscape is located in Merrimac

Address: 2 Ghilgai Road, 83 Macadie Way, 6 Boowaggan Road, Merrimac

Position on map:

The Merrimac Drains Historic Landscape is historically significant as an example of an activity which made an influential contribution to the pattern of development on the Gold Coast. The landscape constitutes important surviving evidence of the first private, large scale land reclamation project on the Gold Coast which began in the late 19th century. The landscape demonstrates innovative technical achievement in response to the need to effectively manage the swamp lands for the purposes of pastoral and agricultural expansion. The landscape has a special association with Thomas Blacket Stephens (1819 – 1878) and his son William ‘Billy’ Stephens (1857 – 1925), who through their early development of the drains made a notable contribution to the development of the physical environment in Merrimac. William is also noted for his service to the Nerang Shire Council from 1882 to 1925.

Queensland Heritage Register: NO
Heritage protection boundary: –