kids encyclopedia robot

Paddington Reservoir facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Paddington Reservoir
Paddington Reservoir Gardens 2010.jpg
Western Chamber, Paddington Reservoir Gardens, pictured in 2010
Type Urban park
Location 255a Oxford Street, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
Created 2008 (2008) (as an urban park)
Operated by City of Sydney
Open 24 hours
Status Open all year
Elevation 65 metres (214 ft) AHD
Built 1864-March 1866 (1866-03)
(as a water reservoir)
Built for Metropolitan Board of Water and Sewerage, Sydney
Restored by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
Architect Edward Bell
Official name: Paddington Reservoir; Walter Read Reserve; Paddington Reservoir Gardens (2009+); Reservoir Gardens
Type State heritage (built)
Designated 2 April 1999
Reference no. 515
Type Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Category Utilities - Water

The Paddington Reservoir is a heritage-listed public park located at 255a Oxford Street in the inner eastern Sydney suburb of Paddington in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. 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.

History

Construction and operation

The plan for Paddington Reservoir began with the creation of the Botany Swamps water scheme in 1859. This water scheme, developed by Edward Bell and Will Wadsworth proposed a number of reservoirs at critical points around the city. Construction of the Paddington Reservoir was completed by 1866 and connected to the Botany Swamps pumping station. This offered a new source of water to elevated suburbs of Sydney which had up until then had only been serviced by wells and a water-cart service.

The reservoir was constructed of brick with ironbark columns which were erected in mortises in stone foundations at the base of the reservoir. These columns supported cast iron beams which in-turn supported segmental arches which formed the roof of the structure.

However, due to its limited elevation, only the top five feet of water from the reservoir could be provided to buildings in excess of one storey. In order to reduce the load on the Botany Swamps pumping station, a further pumping station at the Crown Street Reservoir was commenced in 1875 which also assisted in the delivery of water to the Paddington Reservoir.

In 1877 a second chamber was added to the Paddington Reservoir, dubbed the eastern chamber (with the original chamber being the western chamber) this increased the storage of the facility to meet the demands of the rapidly expanding city. In 1899 the facility was decommissioned following the completion of the larger and further elevated Centennial Park Reservoir.

Post-reservoir

The facility was used by the Sydney Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage (Water Board) as a storage facility, following its decommissioning, primarily storing pipes at the location. In 1910, the facility was used by the Water Board's Motor Branch for the storage of motor vehicles. In 1926 the facility was converted to provide additional storage for motor vehicles at which time several timber columns were removed and replaced with steel beams to allow for vehicle maneuvering. Water penetrated the roof at a later time, and a secondary roof was constructed below the existing roof to protect the vehicles housed at the facility.

The ex-reservoir was sold to Paddington Municipal Council in 1934 for £3750. The Water Board leased the eastern chamber of the facility and continued to use it for motor vehicle and general storage until the late 1950s. The western chamber was leased to a commercial motor garage operator in 1934 which led to the construction of a ramped entry from Oxford Street into the western chamber. During this period the roof of the facility was converted for use as a public reserve, allowing access to the roof for recreational purposes. This roof-top reserve was later named the Walter Read reserve.

In July 1990 part of the roof of the western chamber of the former-reservoir, still used as a motor vehicle service station, collapsed. This collapse in 1990 and a further collapse occurred as a result of corrosion of steel structure placed in 1926 to allow vehicle movement in the underground reservoir chambers. This caused the closure of the reserve atop the roof, and the service station below.

Paddington Reservoir Gardens

In 2006 architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and landscape architects JMD Design began work to conserve, restore and reuse the space of the then derelict Paddington Reservoir. The facility reopened in 2008 as a sunken garden with rooftop reserve above the preserved eastern chamber. The facility integrates the remains of the original brick, timber and iron structure with modern elements of sculptural, structural and functional significance which provide access to the sunken garden via stairs and an elevator as well as ramped access to the rooftop reserve.

kids search engine
Paddington Reservoir Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.