East Bundaberg Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Bundaberg Water Tower |
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East Bundaberg Water Tower, 2011
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| Location | 17 Sussex Street, Bundaberg East, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1901 |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | James Baillie Henderson |
| Official name: East Water Tower | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600369 |
| Significant period | 1900-1902 (fabric) 1890s-1900s (historical) |
| Builders | Neils Carl Steffensen |
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The East Bundaberg Water Tower, also known as the East Bundy Water Tower, is a very old and important water tower. You can find it at 17 Sussex Street in Bundaberg East, Queensland, Australia. This tower is special because it's the only round brick water tower in Queensland. It was designed by James Baillie Henderson and built between 1901 and 1902. Because it's so unique and important, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
History of the Tower
The East Bundaberg Water Tower was built for the Bundaberg city council. It was finished in 1902. Its main job was to provide good water pressure for Bundaberg's new water system. This system brought clean water to homes and businesses.
How Bundaberg Grew
Europeans first settled the Bundaberg area in the 1840s and 1850s. By the late 1860s, people started looking for new farming land. They found good land along the Burnett River. Bundaberg officially became a town in 1869.
The town grew quickly, especially after copper was found nearby in 1871. Bundaberg became an important port and supply center. Bridges were built across the river to handle more traffic. In the 1880s, the sugar industry boomed in the region. This made Bundaberg very rich and important. Fancy brick buildings were built, and the town got gas street lights and paved roads. During this time, the city council decided it was time for a proper water supply system.
The Need for Water
At first, Bundaberg got its water from local water holes. But as the town grew, a better water system was needed. This was important for daily use, for watering dusty roads, and especially for fighting fires. Fires were a big problem because many buildings were made of wood.
In 1887, the government offered loans to help Bundaberg build a water system. A plan was made to bring water from Baldwin Swamp to a storage tank. This plan included a tall tower to help with water pressure.
James Baillie Henderson's Role
The government's engineer, J. B. Henderson, looked at the plans. He thought they could be better. He suggested building a brick water tower instead of a simple elevated tank. In 1896, Henderson visited Bundaberg. He met with the Mayor and council members. They asked him to take charge of the water project.
James Baillie Henderson was born in London in 1836. He trained as an engineer in Scotland. He moved to Queensland in 1878 and became the government's main hydraulic engineer. He helped find underground water sources across Queensland. He also started Queensland's first flood warning system.
Building the Tower
In 1898, Henderson gave the council a detailed plan. It would cost about £18,804. The council got a loan of £20,000. They asked for bids to build the tower in December 1899. However, the cost of materials and workers had gone up. So, the council got another loan.
Finally, a local builder named Neils Carl Steffensen was chosen. His bid was £3859. Steffensen started work in April 1900. He had trouble finding the right bricks. He had to get high-quality bricks from Virginia brickworks in Brisbane. The tower was finished in 1902. It was considered a masterpiece of brickwork. The Bundaberg Foundry made the water tank, pipes, and other parts.
The system worked by pumping water from Baldwin Swamp up into the tank at the top of the tower. The height of the tank used gravity to create good water pressure. This water was then sent through pipes to the town. Fire hydrants were also installed in the main street in 1902.
Later, they found a better underground water source. This solved problems with water quality. By 1907, the tower was supplying 16,000 gallons of water every day. Other water towers were built in Bundaberg later, but the East Bundaberg tower is still the most impressive.
A Local Landmark
Because the land around Bundaberg is very flat, the tower stands out. In its early years, people would climb the tower to see amazing views of the area. There are even stories of children playing racing games up and down its stairs! You can still see old graffiti scratched on the inside walls. These drawings date from the 1920s to the late 1900s.
Today, the tank is still used to store water. It has been covered with a roof and recently lined with concrete to keep it working well.
What the Tower Looks Like
The East Bundaberg Water Tower is a tall, round brick tower with a steel tank on top. It stands in an open grassy area at the corner of Sussex and Princes Streets.
Tower Structure
The tower is built from red-brown glazed bricks. It sits on a strong concrete base. The tower is about 35 meters (115 feet) tall. Its base is about 9.5 meters (31 feet) wide. The walls get thinner as they go up. They are about 91.5 centimeters (3 feet) thick at the bottom and 35.5 centimeters (14 inches) thick at the top. There is an entrance at ground level.
The tower has 8 floors. Each floor is marked by a band of bricks that stick out. On each floor, there are four windows with round tops. There are also four "blind" windows, which look like windows but are solid brick.
The Water Tank
The steel water tank on top of the tower is round. It has a curved bottom and is about 3 meters (10 feet) deep. It rests on a sandstone base. Around the bottom of the tank, there is a wooden walkway with a handrail. This allows people to access the tank.
Inside the Tower
Inside, the tower has wooden floors. A wooden staircase winds around the outer walls, connecting all the floors. The inside walls are plastered. The doors and windows have wooden frames and sandstone sills.
The tower is surrounded by a lawn. There are plants around the nearby blocks, but no fence directly around the tower.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The East Bundaberg Water Tower was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's a very important historical place. Here's why:
- It shows how Queensland's history unfolded.
The tower was a key part of Bundaberg's first modern water system. It shows how the city grew and became an important regional center, especially for the sugar industry.
- It's a rare and special part of Queensland's history.
This is the only round brick water tower known in Queensland. It's a great example of how engineers solved problems in the late 1800s. It helped create water pressure in a very flat area.
- It's a beautiful and unique building.
The East Bundaberg Water Tower is a well-built and distinctive structure. It stands out in the flat landscape. Its design is more than just practical; it was meant to be a pleasing part of the scenery. The outside even looks a bit like old Renaissance buildings with its arched windows.
- It's connected to an important person.
The water tower has a strong link to James Baillie Henderson. He was Queensland's first government hydraulic engineer and played a big role in the state's water supply history.
