Following the December 1989 State Election, the Administrative Services Department was established. The Department was created from the Former Department of Works, Goprint, States Stores Board, Government Motor Garage, Centre for Information Technology and Communications, Public Relations and Media Office and Government Horologist. This deparment was amalgamated with the Housing program in 1996 and became known as the Department of Public Works and Housing.

Donald Robert (Don) Watson was born in Brisbane on 3 June 1945. In 1963 he won the Open Scholarship to undertake the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Architecture degree. While studying part-time he worked with Lund Hutton Black and Paulsen (1963 to 1964) and was employed by James Birrell and Partners (1967 to 1969). After graduating Watson worked for Hayes and Scott (Brisbane), 1970; AB Waters and Associates (London), 1971; Geoffrey Pie and Associates (Brisbane), 1972 to 1974. After acquiring a house in South Brisbane in 1974, Watson developed an interest in local architectural history and began research for the book The Queensland House for the National Trust of Queensland. From 1975 to 1979 he practiced as an architectural consultant in Brisbane. From 1979 to 1989 Watson was employed in half- and full-time capacities as a lecturer in the University of Queensland's Department of Architecture.