Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct

Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct
Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct
	Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct, looking south
Location	off Taylor Street, Hogan Park, Annandale, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°52′47″S151°10′33″E / 33.8798°S 151.1758°E Coordinates: 33°52′47″S151°10′33″E / 33.8798°S 151.1758°E
Built	1897
Architect	William Julius Baltzer (Public Works Department)
Owner	Sydney Water
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct; Johnstons Creek Sewer Aqueduct
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	18 November 1999
Reference no.	1325
Type	Sewage Aqueduct
Category	Utilities - Sewerage
Builders	Public Works Department
	Location of Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct in Sydney

Last updated April 12, 2022

Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct located in Hogan Park, off Taylor Street, Annandale, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by William Julius Baltzer, an engineer in the NSW Public Works Department, and built by the Department in 1897. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.^[1]

History

The Johnstons Creek sewage aqueduct was constructed in 1897. The aqueduct was constructed as an extension of the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer^[2] which was then known as the Northern Main Sewer. This sewer carried sewage from the densely populated inner-western suburbs of Balmain, Annandale and Glebe. The sewer necessitated the crossing of the 'Johnstone's Creek Valley' and 'White's Creek Valley' to deliver the sewage to the ocean outfall junction at the Junction of Parramatta and City Roads. The Northern Main Sewer was one of the Board's early major sewer schemes.^[1]

The section of Northern Main Sewer, which embraces the aqueducts across Johnstone's and White's Creeks, was constructed under Government Contract No. 77 (basically the area between Catherine Street and Minogue Crescent). The design work for this contract was completed by early 1895, and which proposed the sewer be carried on mass concrete and brick arches and a lattice bridge. This scheme was subsequently abandoned in favour of using a carrier and supporting arches of reinforced concrete construction, the contract for which was let in mid 1896.^[1]

The engineer credited with the design is W. J. Baltzer, an engineer in the Sewerage Branch of the Department of Public Works. Baltzer, a graduate of a German university, worked for the firm Carter Gummow & Co. which held the patent rights for the Monier system of reinforcing concrete. Carter Gummow & Co. were instrumental in bringing reinforced concrete construction to the fore. The design provided for a sewer carrier internally U shaped in section 3-ft. 6-in (1m.) by 4 ft. 6-in (1.37 m) constructed in reinforced concrete. The sewer carrier is supported by a series of reinforced concrete arches: There are 8 large spans, each of 81-ft 10-in (25 m.) centre to centre with a clear span of 75-ft (23 m.), and a number of smaller subsidiary arches at the eastern edge. The total length is 924-ft. (281.6 m.). Each of the arches is seated on mass concrete piers.^[1]

It was repaired during the mid 1980s, consisting of the insertion of a plastic liner in the flume. The arches are in a stable condition.^[1]

Description

A series of slender reinforced concrete arches supporting the reinforced concrete sewage carrier seated on substantial mass concrete piers situated across Hogan Park through which the stormwater channel of Johnstons Creek is situated. The western terminus of the aqueduct is the western side of Nelson Street (which the aqueduct crosses), where there is a concrete retaining wall and public stairs. The aqueduct then crosses the shallow valley of Johnstons Creek continuing to the eastern terminus near Taylor Street. The aqueduct is a prominent feature within Hogan Park. There is a mature fig street situated close to one of the main central spans, its canopy encroaching over the sewer carrier.^[1]

Heritage listing

The Johnstons Creek sewage aqueduct was completed in 1897 and is a major and visibly strong component of the Northern Main Sewer extension of the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer. The aqueduct arches and carrier are one of the first major constructions undertaken using reinforced concrete in NSW and one of the first in Australia. The slender proportions of the supporting arches and sewage carrier along with its historic technological value are a major landmark for Sydney. The aqueduct is a major element of the historic built environment of the local area, and a long held part of the recreational reserve . The significant elements are its location within a park setting, technology of construction and past and ongoing use.^[1]

Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct 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.

The aqueduct is particularly associated with the engineer W. J. Baltzer, and the firm Carter Gummow & Co. early advocates of the use of reinforced concrete (the Monier system) in this country, of which this is one. The Johnstons Creek sewage aqueduct is a major and highly visible component of the Northern Main Sewer extension of the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer completed in 1897. The extension provided for the sewerage of the areas of densely populated inner-western suburbs of Balmain, Annandale and Glebe.^[1]

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

The sewage aqueduct is a prominent element in the historic built environment of Leichhardt and Forest Lodge. The aqueduct in consideration of its length, height and slender proportions is an impressive sight, and a landmark in Sydney.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

The aqueduct is a major element of the historic built environment of the local government area of Leichhardt and provides a focusfor the contemporary community for an understanding of the historical development of the local area. It is listed by authorities such as the National Trust of Australia (NSW), the Australian Heritage Commission, and the Institution of Engineers (Australia).^[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 aqueduct is one of the first major constructions undertaken using reinforced concrete in NSW and one of the first in Australia. The built fabric is therefore a unique repository for the study of the early development of reinforced construction.^[1]

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

It is rare in Australia in consideration of the extent and date of the reinforced construction technique.^[1]

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

It is representative in its function which is widespread across Sydney.^[1]

Engineering heritage

The aqueduct received a Historic Engineering Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.^[3]

Related Research Articles

Johnstons Creek, formerly Johnston's Creek, is an urban gully, located in Sydney, Australia and situated in the Leichhardt local government area. The creek flows from Petersham, past Annandale, Camperdown, Forest Lodge and Harold Park, before spilling into Rozelle Bay, within Sydney Harbour.

Monier Ventilation Shaft 3 is a heritage-listed ventilation shaft at Florence Street, Teneriffe, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Joseph Monier and built c. 1904. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 4 August 1998.

The Barwon Sewer Aqueduct is a heritage-listed aqueduct across the Barwon River at Goat Island, Breakwater, Victoria, Australia. It was designed by engineer E. G. Stone and was erected between 1913-1915. It would appear to be the only one of its kind in Australia in terms of its length and the use of Considère's construction technique. The aqueduct appears to be the last example in Australia of Armand Considère's system of reinforcing for concrete structures. It was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on 23 October 1991.

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Lewisham Sewage Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct in Gadigal Reserve, adjacent to 5 Grosvenor Crescent, Summer Hill, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Sewerage Construction Branch and Department of Public Works and built in 1900. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Middle Harbour Syphon is a heritage-listed sewerage syphon located at Monash Crescent, Clontarf, Northern Beaches Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by E. M. de Burgh, an engineer in the NSW Public Works Department and was built from 1922 to 1925 by the Department. The sewerage syphon is also known as the Middle Harbour Syphon NSOOS and The Spit Syphon. The property is owned by Sydney Water, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Bondi Sewer Vent is a heritage-listed sewer vent shaft located at Military Road, North Bondi, Waverley Municipality, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage. It is also known as Sewer Vent , Ben Buckler and Earlier brick vent. 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 Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer is a heritage-listed sewerage infrastructure at Blair Street, North Bondi, Waverley Municipality, New South Wales, Australia. The sewer line commences at the intersection of Oxford Street and College Street in Darlinghurst and then travels in a more-or-less easterly direction for 6.1 kilometres (3.8 mi) passing through a number of suburbs until it reaches Blair Street in North Bondi. It was designed and built by the Public Works Department between 1880 and 1889. It is also known as BOOS and Main Northern Ocean Outfall Sewer. 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.

Western Outfall Main Sewer is a heritage-listed former sewage farm outfall sewer and now ocean outfall sewer near Valda Avenue, Arncliffe, Bayside Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Department of Public Works, who built the sewer from 1895 to 1898. It is also known as SWSOOS No. 1, Western Main Carrier and Western Main Outfall Sewer. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Cooks River Sewage Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct located at Pine Street, Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia. It crosses the Cooks River to Thornley Street, Marrickville. It was designed by Sewerage Construction Branch and NSW Department of Public Works and built during 1895 by J. F. Carson, contractor. 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 Wolli Creek Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct located at Unwin Street, Earlwood, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia.

The Mosman Bay Sewage Aqueduct is a heritage-listed public pedestrian bridge and sewage aqueduct at Avenue Road, Mosman in the Mosman Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Sewerage Construction Branch and NSW Department of Public Works and built from 1899 to 1901 by NSW Department of Public Works. It is also known as the Aqueduct over Mosman Bay. 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 Double Bay Compressed Air Ejector Station is a heritage-listed former sewage pumping station (SPS87) and now decommissioned sewerage infrastructure in Jamberoo Lane, Double Bay, adjacent to the rear boundary of 63 William Street, in the Municipality of Woollahra local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The site of the pumping station and the State Heritage Register curtilage is shown on SHR:01324–Plan 2019, reproduced on the internet page referenced here.

White's Creek Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct at Piper Street, Lilyfield, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by engineer William Julius Baltzer of the New South Wales Public Works Department and built by the Department from 1897 to 1898. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

The Burwood Sewer Vent is a heritage-listed sewer ventilation stack located at Railway Parade in the Sydney suburb of Burwood in the Municipality of Burwood local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage in 1919. It is also known as Wentworth Road Sewer Vent and Railway Parade Sewer Vent. The property is owned by Sydney Water, a statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Croydon Sewer Vent is a heritage-listed sewer ventilation stack located on a small parcel of land adjacent to 12 Paisley Road in the Sydney suburb of Croydon in the Municipality of Burwood local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage in 1922. It is also known as Sewer Vent and Paisley Road Sewer Vent. The property is owned by Sydney Water, a statutory corporation of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

The Ultimo Sewage Pumping Station is a heritage-listed sewerage pumping station located at William Henry Street in the inner city Sydney suburb of Ultimo in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. As a result of the construction of an elevated roadway along William Henry Street, the pumping station now fronts Pyrmont Street, with vehicles being required to enter via Quarry Street, then turning right into Pyrmont Street.

The Rushcutters Bay Sewage Pumping Station is a heritage-listed sewerage pumping station located at Rushcutters Bay Park in the inner city Sydney suburb of Rushcutters Bay in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed and built by the New South Wales Public Works Department from 1902 to 1904. It is also known as Sewage Pumping Station 18 and SPS 18. 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.

Sewage Pumping Station 3 is a heritage-listed sewerage pumping station located near 1 Booth Street, Annandale, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The building is located adjacent to Johnstons Creek. It was built from 1902 to 1904 by the New South Wales Public Works Department. It is also known as SPS 3, SP0003, Booth Street Sewage Pumping Station and Annandale Sewage Pumping Station. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Office of Environment & Heritage. H01325. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
↑ BOOS, completed in 1889
↑ "Annandale Sewer Aqueducts, 1896-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2020.

Bibliography

"Smith Hogan and Spindlers Park". 2007.
Attraction Homepage (2007). "Smith Hogan and Spindlers Park".
Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd (1996). Sydney Water Heritage Study.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct , entry number 01325 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 2 June 2018.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[nswshr-1325-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Johnston's Creek Sewer Aqueduct". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Office of Environment & Heritage. H01325. Retrieved 2 June 2018.

[nswshr-1325-1925-2] BOOS, completed in 1889

[3] "Annandale Sewer Aqueducts, 1896-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2020.

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