Crown Street Reservoir

Crown Street Reservoir
Crown Street Reservoir
	Covered reservoir (below ground) showing blue ventillation shaft - from Reservoir Street
Location	285 Crown Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°52′52″S151°12′51″E / 33.8812°S 151.2142°E
Built	1859
Owner	Sydney Water
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Crown Street Reservoir & Site; WS 0034
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	18 November 1999
Reference no.	1323
Type	Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Category	Utilities - Water
Builders	Donohoe and Vaughan
	Location of Crown Street Reservoir in Sydney

Last updated November 06, 2023

The Crown Street Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir located at 285 Crown Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built by Donohoe and Vaughan. It is also known as Crown Street Reservoir & Site and WS 0034. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.^[1]

History

The Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34) was completed in 1859. Waterproof bricks, imported from England, were used in its construction. It was a part of the Botany Swamps Scheme, 1858–1886. Water was pumped from Botany Pumping Station to Crown Street Reservoir, and later to Paddington Reservoir (1864). It is now possibly the oldest working reservoir in Australia. The Botany Swamps gave way to the Upper Nepean Scheme in 1888, with temporary supply provided by the Hudson Scheme between 1886 and 1888. Today the Crown Street Reservoir receives water from the Upper Nepean Scheme and also Warragamba Dam. It is an important and integral part reticulation system.^[1]

Description

The Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34) is a rectangular covered reservoir. The reservoir is built with brick perimeter walls, partly excavated into bedrock and partly raised and supported by an earth embankment. Special impervious bricks, 300,000 in all, were imported from England for the purpose. On the Riley Street frontage of the reservoir is a modern brick valve house or entrance chamber, with concrete roof and footings. The construction of the reservoir reflects the ingenuity of the designers and craftsmen of the time. It has required little maintenance and repair over the years. Its original cost was A£14,929.^[1]

Crown Street Reservoir provided the suction water for Crown Street Pumping Station (WPS 1) which has supplied the following reservoir at various times: Paddington Reservoir, 1864, now disused; Woollahra Reservoir, 1880; Centennial Park Reservoir No. 1, 1899; Centennial Park Reservoir No. 2, 1925; Waverley Reservoir No. 1, 1887; Waverley reservoir No. 2, 1917; and Waverley Reservoir No. 3, 1938.^[1]

The land adjacent to the reservoir provides space for a number of buildings, including WPS 1, former workshop buildings, and two other modern buildings. The whole site is surrounded by a substantial and early sandstone, brick and wrought iron palisade fence. The workshop building is a two-storey polychrome (red and white) brick structure, on the Reservoir Street frontage. Its original roof has been replaced by a skillion corrugated iron roof, and many other alterations are evident. The workshop building is now disused and unoccupied.^[1]

Modifications and dates

It has received regular maintenance and repair over the years.^[1]

Heritage listing

As at 5 August 2009, Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34) is the oldest reservoir in NSW, still in service. It has had a pivotal role, not only in the Botany Swamps Scheme, 1858–1886, but also in the Hudson / Upper Nepean Scheme, 1886 / 1888 onwards, and now receives water from Warragamba Dam. It continues to supply water to the Inner City, a role it has played since 1859.The construction of the reservoir exemplifies the skill and ingenuity of the designers and craftsmen of the time, and as a result Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34) possesses historical and aesthetic significance at least at a state level. All covered reservoirs are highly significant within the SWC system, since all differ in construction technology, design and architectural detailing. All therefore contribute to our understanding of the development of covered reservoirs in NSW.^[1]

Crown Street Reservoir was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34) is the oldest working reservoir in NSW, still in service. It has had a pivotal role, not only in the Botany Swamps Scheme, 1858–1886, but also in the Hudson / Upper Nepean Scheme, 1886 / 1888 onwards, and now receives water from Warragamba Dam. It continues to supply water to the Inner City, a role it has played since 1859, a total of 141 years to date. This reservoir is associated with a water supply source, prior to the completion of the Upper Nepean Scheme and the formation of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board in 1888. It operated in parallel with Busby's Bore from 1859 to 1888.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The Reservoir structure features high aesthetic qualities, demonstrative of construction techniques and high level technical expertise available for covered reservoir construction in Australia in the 1850s, including cast-iron beams imported from England.^[1]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

The Crown Street Reservoir is an early example of a mid-nineteenth century fire-proof jack-arch roof construction in NSW. It is the only reservoir in the SWC system featuring wooden columns. The reservoir was built in special impervious bricks imported from England, which is an unusual feature. The Crown Street Reservoir site possibly contains remnant sections of the 30-inch Botany Swamps rising main, manufactured in Scotland in the 1850s.^[1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

One of small group of covered reservoirs, each demonstrating differences in construction, design & architectural detailing. Earliest reservoir, still in use. 1 of 4 associated with Botany Swamps Supply. Only reservoir with wooden columns in SWC system.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

Crown Street Reservoir is representative of the oldest class of fully built water reservoirs in NSW and Australia, identifiable by their brick structure and brick arched roof. It is the oldest, the longest serving and probably the most important of this group. The Crown Street Reservoir site contains a 1965 water pumping station representative of design and equipment of other major water pumping stations on Sydney in the 1960s.^[1]

Engineering heritage

The reservoir received an Engineering Heritage National Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.^[2]

Related Research Articles

Warragamba Dam is a heritage-listed dam in the outer South Western Sydney suburb of Warragamba, Wollondilly Shire in New South Wales, Australia. It is a concrete gravity dam, which creates Lake Burragorang, the primary reservoir for water supply for the city of Sydney. The dam wall is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) W of Sydney central business district, 4½ km SW of the town of Wallacia, and 1 km NW of the village of Warragamba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Nepean Scheme</span>

The Upper Nepean Scheme is a series of dams and weirs in the catchments of the Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean rivers of New South Wales, Australia. The scheme includes four dams and two weirs, and a gravity-fed canal system that feeds into a large storage reservoir to provide water to the Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney. The four dams and associated infrastructure are individually listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepean Dam</span> Dam in Bargo, New South Wales

The Nepean Dam is a heritage-listed dam split across Avon in the Wingecarribee Shire and Bargo in the Wollondilly Shire, both in New South Wales, Australia. The reservoir created by the dam spreads across Avon, Bargo and also Yerrinbool in Wingecarribee Shire. The Nepean Dam is one of four dams and weirs in the catchment of the Upper Nepean Scheme, in New South Wales, Australia, and provides water to the Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney. Completed in 1935 under the supervision of Ernest Macartney de Burgh, the dam is currently managed by the Sydney Catchment Authority and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avon Dam</span> Dam in Avon Dam, New South Wales

The Avon Dam is a heritage-listed dam in Avon, Wingecarribee Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of four dams and weirs in the catchment of the Upper Nepean Scheme, providing water to the Macarthur and Illawarra regions, the Wollondilly Shire, and metropolitan Sydney. The arch dam across the Avon River was completed in 1927 under the supervision of Ernest Macartney de Burgh, the dam is currently managed by the Sydney Catchment Authority and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

The Shoalhaven Scheme is a dual-purpose water supply and Pumped-storage Hydroelectricity scheme located on the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

The Prospect Reservoir is a heritage-listed 50,200-megalitre potable water supply and storage reservoir created by the Prospect Dam, across the Prospect Creek located in the Western Sydney suburb of Prospect, in New South Wales, Australia. The eastern bounds of the reservoir are a recreational area and the western periphery are within the bounds of Western Sydney Parklands. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Paddington Reservoir is a heritage-listed public park located at 255a Oxford Street in the inner eastern Sydney suburb of Paddington. It was designed by Edward Bell and built from 1864 to 1866 and operated as a water reservoir which accepted water from the Botany Swamps pumping station for supply to parts of Sydney between 1866 and 1899. In the twentieth century the site variously functioned as a service station and storage and mechanical workshop site. In 2006 work commenced to convert the site into a sunken garden and park. It is also known as Walter Read Reserve; Paddington Reservoir Gardens; Reservoir Gardens. The property is owned by City of Sydney. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petersham Reservoir</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Petersham Reservoir is a heritage-listed water reservoir at New Canterbury Road, Petersham, Inner West Council, Sydney New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Public Works Department. It is also known as Petersham Service Reservoir and WS089. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Upper Canal System, also called the Southern Railway Aqueduct and the Cataract Tunnel, is a heritage-listed operational gravity-fed aqueduct that supplies some of the potable water for Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. The aqueduct comprises 54 kilometres (34 mi) of open canals, tunnels, and closed pipelines that connect the Upper Nepean Scheme with the Prospect Reservoir. The aqueduct is managed by the Sydney Catchment Authority on behalf of WaterNSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Potts Hill Reservoirs 1 and 2 are heritage-listed reservoirs at Cooper Road, Potts Hill, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Board of Water Supply and Sewerage and built from 1880. The reservoirs are now maintained by the Board's successor, Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Waverley Reservoirs are four reservoirs, of which two are heritage-listed, located at Paul Street, Bondi Junction, Waverley Municipality, New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built by the Public Works Department. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The properties were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999 and 15 November 2002 respectively.

The Penshurst Reservoirs are heritage-listed reservoirs located at Laycock Road, Penshurst in the Georges River Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built during 1895 by the NSW Public Works Department. The reservoirs are also known as WS87 & R88, Penshurst Elevated Steel Reservoir No 2 and Penshurst Elevated Concrete Reservoir No 3. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Guildford West pipehead and water supply canal is a heritage-listed sewerage infrastructure and water supply canal located at Frank Street, Guildford in the Cumberland Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as Headworks; Industrial Archaeological Site. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Prospect Reservoir Valve House is a heritage-listed waterworks located at East of Reservoir, Prospect in the City of Blacktown local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Situated on the grounds of Prospect Nature Reserve, it was designed and built by The Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage. The property is owned by Sydney Water and Water NSW, agencies of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Chatswood Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 are two heritage-listed reservoirs located at 559 Pacific Highway in the Sydney suburb of Artarmon in the City of Willoughby local government area of New South Wales, Australia. They were designed and built by the NSW Public Works Department. They are also known as WS024 & WS025 respectively. The reservoirs are owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoirs were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Woollahra Reservoir or WS022 is a heritage-listed underground reservoir at 5R Oxford Street, Centennial Park, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the NSW Public Works Department. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Centennial Park Reservoir or WS001 is a heritage-listed underground reservoir at 3R Oxford Street, Centennial Park, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by NSW Public Works Department from 1896 to 1898. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Wahroonga Reservoir is a heritage-listed reservoir located at 1678 Pacific Highway and Woonona Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga in the Ku-ring-gai Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage in 1915. It is also known as Wahroonga Reservoir (Elevated) . The property is owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Pymble Reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2 are two heritage-listed reservoirs located at Pacific Highway in the Sydney suburb of Pymble in the Ku-ring-gai Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The reservoirs are also known as Pymble Reservoir No. 1 (Covered) and (WS 0097); and Pymble Reservoir No. 2 (Covered) and (WS 0098). The property is owned by Sydney Water, a State-owned statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoirs were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

Newcastle Reservoirs are heritage-listed former and disused reservoirs, now used for public tours, at 51 Brown Street, The Hill, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. They were designed by Cecil West Darley and the NSW Public Works Department and built from 1880 to 1918 by the Public Works Department. It is also known as Newcastle Reservoirs Site, Brown Street Reservoirs, Newcastle Reservoir No.1, Newcastle Pumping Station and Reservoir No.2 Valve House. The property is owned by the Hunter Water Corporation, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The reservoirs were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 April 2018.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Crown Street Reservoir & Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01323. Retrieved 13 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
↑ "Crown Street Reservoir". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2020.

Bibliography

Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd (1996). Sydney Water Heritage Study.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Crown Street Reservoir & Site , entry number 1323 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 13 October 2018.

External links

ArchivePix The City of Sydney Archives digital photographic bank. (Search for "Crown Street Reservoir")

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[nswshr-1323-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Crown Street Reservoir & Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H01323. Retrieved 13 October 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .

[2] "Crown Street Reservoir". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2020.

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