Gara River Hydro-Electric Scheme facts for kids

The Gara River Hydro-Electric Scheme was a very important power station in Australia's history. It was built a long time ago, between 1893 and 1895, near a town called Armidale in New South Wales. This scheme was special because it was the first big project in Australia to use water power to make electricity for a whole town! It was designed by a clever scientist named Richard Threlfall. Today, it's a heritage site, meaning it's protected because of its historical importance.

History of the Gara River Power Scheme

The Gara River scheme was the very first major project in Australia to use water to create electricity. It started making power in March 1895. Its main job was to light up the town of Hillgrove, which was close to Armidale.

How the Scheme Started

A group called the Australasian Rights Purchase Association wanted to use the Gara River for power. They asked the Parliament of New South Wales for permission. The Parliament agreed, and on March 10, 1893, a special law was passed. This law allowed the Hillgrove and Armidale Water-Power Electrical Company (Ltd) to build the scheme.

The Brilliant Mind Behind the Project

Richard Threlfall, a Professor of Physics at the University of Sydney, was the main expert for this project. People at the time thought he was Australia's top expert on electricity. He helped with all parts of the design and building.

How the Power Was Made

The scheme used a dam built at a natural pool called Blue Hole on the Gara River. The place where the electricity was made (the generator site) was at the bottom of the Gara Falls. The system used special machines called DC (direct current) generators. For a short time, this was one of the most important DC power systems in the world!

Challenges and Changes Over Time

Even though the scheme was a great technical success, it had money problems in the 1890s. This might have been because the gold rushes in the area were ending, which meant less money was coming in.

In 1896, another company, the Sandon County Electrical Light and Power Company, took over. Then, in 1899, the scheme was rebuilt and improved. But fewer people were living in the area because mining was slowing down. So, the Sandon Company sold the power plant. By 1905, someone named Mr. Pinto was running it and selling electricity to local people.

The last time anyone mentioned the Gara River Hydro-Electric Scheme working was in 1907. What happened to the site after that for many years isn't clear. Now, the site is part of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. It is looked after by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

What Remains of the Scheme Today

You can still see parts of the old dam at Blue Hole. It's hard to tell which parts were built first or later. About 100 meters below the dam, there's a low concrete wall called a weir. This weir helped send water from the river into a channel (called a flume) at a steady speed. The weir is still in good condition.

The Flumes and Power Station

From the weir, a concrete channel (flume) stretches for 500 meters. This channel helped carry the water. After going through a cut in the land, the flume split into two paths. One path was the original route, which ran on wooden supports called trestles. You can't see the wooden parts anymore, but you can find stone bases that show where they were. The second flume path is a narrow, flat area about one meter wide.

At the end of the flumes, there's a steep slope leading down to where the power station used to be. The remains of the power station and some of the old machinery are still there, but they are falling apart.

Current Condition of the Site

Experts believe that there's a lot more to discover about the site by studying its archaeological remains. This means digging up and studying old objects and structures.

Why the Gara River Scheme is Important

The Gara River hydro-electric scheme is very important for New South Wales and all of Australia.

A First for Australia

It was the first scheme to light up a town with electricity in Australia. It was also the first to sell its power to businesses. The design by Richard Threlfall included new ideas that made it one of the most advanced schemes in the world at the time.

Showing History and Change

The site shows us how the town of Hillgrove faced tough times in the 1890s. This was due to a big economic downturn, a drop in the price of a mineral called antimony, and a drought. For people today, it helps us understand the long-running debate about using water power versus protecting the environment.

Learning from the Past

The Gara River Hydro-Electric Scheme was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it meets certain important standards:

• It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales: It provides direct proof of how electricity was first used in Australia. It was the first to light a town and sell power. It's also connected to important people like Richard Threlfall, a famous early physicist.
• It has special meaning for the community: The scheme is a part of the history of the New England area. Local people in Armidale have used it as a place for fun for a long time. It also helps everyone understand the history of hydro-electricity and its impact on nature.
• It can teach us new things: The scheme used several new technologies for its time. For example, it was the first in Australia to use two hydro-electric power machines together. It was also a world leader in sending electricity over long distances using high voltage. The overall design and the use of direct current generators were very advanced. Since old records about early hydro-electric projects are rare, the remains of this site are a valuable source of information. Studying the site also shows how the end of the antimony mining boom and the economic problems of the 1890s affected the local economy of Hillgrove.