1968: New SCC Headquarters Opening Supplement

This month is 50 years since the Sydney County Council (now Ausgrid) relocated their headquarters from the Queen Victoria Building to a purpose built tower at the corner of George and Bathurst Street.

The decision to relocate to its present site dates to 1957, when its space in the Queen Victoria Building was "overcrowded". According to The Sydney Morning Herald on March 12, two city sites were being considered with 300 000 pounds put aside for a purchase.

Within two months, 250 000 pounds were spent on acquiring two sites with 556-58 and 564-570 George Street. Soon after, 560-562 George Street was acquired four around 60 000 pounds. Total land acquisitions were slightly over budget at approximately 310 000 pounds.

Tenders to develop the site were called in 1961. The following year, it was nearly axed. By 1965, plans were finalised and construction commenced. 

Here is a supplement that was published in The Daily Telegraph on April 8, 1968 when they commenced operations at their new location. Five decades later, Ausgrid remains on the site and now distributes electricity well beyond the former boundaries of the Sydney County Council and includes the Central Coast and Hunter Valley.