Sewage Pumping Station 67 facts for kids

Sewage Pumping Station 67 is a special building in Camellia, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is a heritage-listed sewage pumping station. This means it helps move wastewater and is important to history.

The station is located on Grand Avenue in the City of Parramatta area. It was designed and built by the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board. Construction took place between 1929 and 1930. It is also known as SPS 67 or SP0067. Sydney Water still owns and operates the pumping station today. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002 because of its historical importance.

Why Was SPS 67 Built?

For a long time, the Parramatta River was used to get rid of sewage from the nearby towns. By the early 1900s, the river became very polluted. People could no longer ignore the bad effects on public health.

To fix this, a special plant was built to treat the sewage. This plant was managed by the Parramatta Council. It collected both sewage and rainwater. A steam pumping station then lifted the sewage to the treatment plant. After treatment, the cleaned water went into the river. In 1916, a larger water board took over this system.

How SPS 67 Changed Things

In 1930, a big change happened. The Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer (NSOOS) was finished. This was a large pipe system that carried sewage far away. With the NSOOS ready, the old treatment plant stopped working.

That's when SPS 67 was built. It started collecting all the sewage that used to go to the old plant. SPS 67 then pumped this sewage through a main pipe. This pipe connected to the NSOOS at Dundas. This new system greatly improved the cleanliness of the Parramatta River.

Upgrades Over Time

The original pumps inside SPS 67 were replaced over the years. New pumping units were installed in 1956. More upgrades happened around 1966. This shows that the station has been kept modern and working well for a long time.

What Does SPS 67 Look Like?

SP0067, located in Camellia, is a low-level sewage pumping station. It is found next to James Ruse Drive. The building's design is a simple, practical version of the Federation Free Style.

Building Features

• The roof is tiled and shaped like a gable. It has three large vents and boxed eaves.
• The walls are made of light brown bricks. These bricks are carefully laid with "tuck pointing." This means the mortar lines are very neat.
• The brickwork forms sections called "bays" using brick piers.
• There is a smooth, rendered band of material called a "string course." Below it is a decorative "dentil" course with small block shapes.
• The windows are large and have many panes. They are made with steel frames.
• The front of the building has a gabled parapet at the top. It has a curvy shape and a smooth, rendered cornice.
• The main entrance is a steel roller shutter door. It has a rendered, bracketed cornice above it.

Surrounding Area

Near the entrance, there are mature palm trees. A row of cypress pines also grows nearby. The station is located close to several office buildings. In front of the site, there is a park-like area. The building itself is still in very good condition.

Why Is SPS 67 a Heritage Site?

SP0067 is important for its history, its look, and its technical design.

Historical Importance

This station was the first low-level sewage pumping station built in the Parramatta area. Its construction, along with the NSOOS, stopped treated sewage from going into the Parramatta River. This was a huge step for public health in Parramatta. It also helped the area grow and expand.

Design and Beauty

SPS 67 is a great example of an industrial building designed in the Federation Free Style. It's special because of how much tuck-pointed brickwork was used. This shows how important the station was considered when it was built. It's one of the largest low-level sewage pumping stations in the Sydney Water system. Its size and attention to detail make it unique. It stands out and adds to the local scenery.

Technical Achievement

Technically, SPS 67 is a very good example of how sewage pumping stations were designed. It has worked effectively for over 70 years. This proves its excellent design. Even with some mechanical updates, it still does its job as planned.

Community Value

The station is listed on the National Trust (NSW) Register. This means it is recognized by a group that values heritage. Its development greatly reduced pollution in the Parramatta River. It also handled sewage from Lidcombe Hospital, which was important for public health.

Research Potential

SPS 67 can help us learn about building methods and designs from the past. It shows how structures were built above and below ground.

Rarity and Representation

At the time it was built, SPS 67 was the largest sewage pumping station. This makes it a rare example. It also represents a type of Federation Free Style public utility building. It is a good example of a low-level sewage pumping station connected to the NSOOS. It also shows the technology used in sewage pumping stations of its time.