[1] In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Yungaba Immigration Centre was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "state shaper".

[2] Yungaba is a two-storey brick institutional building designed as an immigrant depot in 1885 by John James Clark, the Queensland Colonial Architect.

Some time later, John "Tinker" Campbell, a neighbouring land-owner, purchased a share in both lots and transferred his boiling-down works to that location to gain the benefit of the small stream which crossed the properties.

Douglas was a prominent and popular person in Brisbane society at that time, although some scandal arose when it was revealed that he had sold his Kangaroo Point property to the government for £14,000 in 1884.

[1] The decision to acquire the land at Kangaroo Point was justified by the need to provide "pleasant surroundings" for those who were recently arrived in the colony.

William Peter Clark, the successful tenderer for the work, ran into a series of difficulties with the construction which resulted in almost a year's delay in the completion.

Later in life, he was to be appointed Under Colonial Secretary and to play an active role in both the management of Aborigines, the organisation of the Native Police and the resolution of the shearers' strikes in 1891 and 1894.

Subsequent drainage works had varying degrees of success, but the building soon showed signs of rising damp which was exacerbated by the poor quality bricks used during construction.

[1] For a long time, it was argued that the damp problem was a result of rain beating on the sides of the building, rather than due to poor site drainage.

A matching verandah extension at the western end was not constructed until 1899 as the expense was considered too great when the source of the damp had not been proven.

[1] An outbreak of scarlet fever in 1889 lent urgency to the already noted need for isolation wards in which to treat sick immigrants.

The arrival of an immigrant ship led to the re-location of the Islanders to rented accommodation nearby, as it was considered inappropriate to expect the "two races" to co-habit.

Accommodation for the superintendent of works, John Bradfield, was provided in the eastern room on the ground floor of the north wing.

The team for the concurrent Stanley River Dam project were relegated to a large room on the lower floor[1] The bridge construction was undertaken by Evans Deakin, who converted the immigration depot's grounds into an industrial site with workshops and storehouses.

A row of three open sheds cut off the connection between the hostel and the river, remaining in place until some time after the works were completed.

The danger from falling debris and intentionally thrown objects has resulted in the need to identify an easement across the property on which no buildings can be constructed.

The volume of post-war immigration was such that the hostel was unable to cope with more than a small proportion of new arrivals, and the bulk were re-directed to the many empty military camps around the city.

Cubicles were provided in the downstairs dormitories, toilet facilities were re-modelled or re-built, the kitchen was enlarged and refurbished and the exterior brickwork was limewashed.

In the period since, the building has been subjected to various minor intrusions and alterations, with the removal of the verandahs and their reconstruction in 1990 being a major impact on the original fabric.

The access to the river was regained following the demolition of the sheds occupied by Evans Deakin and the new accommodation facilities erected in the 1970s respected this important axis.

Sited on the banks of the Brisbane River, adjacent to the Storey Bridge, the property holds a prominent position on Petrie Bight/Shafston Reach.

[1] Yungaba is constructed as a symmetrical cruciform plan dominated by a substantial central entrance loggia which is flanked by two three-storey towers.

Beyond the line of the verandah, windows are sheltered under sunhoods constructed from cast iron wall brackets and timber hood framing, clad with metal sheeting.

In both the north and south wings of the building the once open plan interior spaces have been adapted to accommodate offices and function areas associated with a catering company and a collection of community groups.

A more recent function room constructed of brick with a flat metal deck roof is located in the south-east corner of the site, fronting the river.

Yungaba is symbolic of the high priority that was placed on immigration during the late nineteenth century and the manner in which the colonial, and then State governments provided for those needs.