Sewage Pumping Station 67 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sewage Pumping Station 67 |
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A location map of the region with latitudes between −34.115° and −33.581°, and longitudes between 150.639° and 151.429°.
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| Location | Grand Avenue, North Camellia, City of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1929–1930 |
| Architect | Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation Free Style |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Official name: Sewage Pumping Station 67; SPS 67. SP0067 | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 15 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1643 |
| Type | Sewage Pump House/Pumping Station |
| Category | Utilities - Sewerage |
| Builders | Public Works Department |
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Sewage Pumping Station 67 is a special building in Camellia, Sydney, Australia. It was built between 1929 and 1930. Its main job is to move wastewater from homes and businesses to a treatment plant. This helps keep our rivers clean and people healthy. It's also known as SPS 67 and SP0067. This important station is protected as a heritage site in the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2002.
Contents
A Look Back: How Clean Water Started
Long ago, when Parramatta was first growing, people used the Parramatta River to get rid of their wastewater. But by the early 1900s, the river became very dirty. This was not good for anyone's health.
To fix this, a special plant was built to clean the wastewater before it went into the river. This plant used steam pumps to lift the wastewater for cleaning. In 1916, the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply & Sewerage took over this system.
Then, in 1930, something big happened! A new, large pipe called the Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer (NSOOS) was finished. This pipe went all the way to Dundas. At the same time, Sewage Pumping Station 67 (SPS 67) was built. SPS 67 started collecting all the wastewater that used to go to the old cleaning plant. It then pumped this wastewater through a big pipe to the NSOOS, which carried it away safely.
The original pumps inside SPS 67 were later updated. New pumping units were put in during 1956 and again around 1966. This kept the station working well for many years.
What Does Sewage Pumping Station 67 Look Like?
SPS 67 in Camellia is a sturdy building found near James Ruse Drive. It was designed in a style called "Federation Free Style," which was popular for public buildings at the time. It looks strong and practical.
On the outside, you'll see a tiled roof that slopes down on two sides (a gable roof). It has three big vents and neat, enclosed edges called eaves. The walls are made of light brown bricks, carefully laid with a special finish called "tuck pointing." These bricks form sections, separated by strong brick columns. You can also spot decorative bands of plaster and a row of tooth-like blocks called dentils.
The building has large windows with many small glass panes, set in steel frames. The front of the building has a decorative wall section above the main entrance, with a curved top and more plaster details. The main entrance is a strong steel roller door with a decorative plaster frame above it.
Around the station, there are tall palm trees and a line of cypress trees, making the area look like a park. The building is still in great condition, looking much like it did when it was first built.
Why is This Building Special?
Sewage Pumping Station 67 is very important for several reasons: its history, its beautiful design, and its clever engineering.
Keeping Our Rivers Clean
This station was the first of its kind in the Parramatta area. When it was built, along with the new NSOOS pipe, it stopped dirty wastewater from going into the Parramatta River. This was a huge step forward for public health in Parramatta and helped the area grow and develop.
A Unique and Strong Design
SPS 67 is a great example of an industrial building designed in the Federation Free Style. It's impressive because of its large size and the detailed brickwork. The special "tuck pointed" bricks show how important this building was considered when it was built. It stands out in the local area and adds to its character.
Smart Engineering That Lasts
This pumping station is a fantastic example of how well these systems can be designed. It has been working effectively for over 90 years! Even with some updates to its machinery, it still does the job it was built for. This shows how well it was planned and constructed.
A Rare and Important Landmark
SPS 67 was the largest pumping station of its type when it was built. This makes it quite rare. It also helps us understand how buildings and technology were designed in New South Wales for public services.
The station is recognized by groups like the National Trust (NSW) because of its importance to the community. It played a big part in reducing river pollution and helped manage wastewater from important places like Lidcombe Hospital.
It also holds clues about how buildings were constructed and designed in the past. Studying it can teach us more about the history of engineering in New South Wales.
See Also
- Australian non-residential architectural styles