Warragamba Dam - Haviland Park facts for kids

Warragamba Dam - Haviland Park is a special park in Warragamba, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a farm and traditional land for the Gundungurra people. Later, it became part of the huge Warragamba Dam project. Today, it is a park with a rich history. It is owned by Water NSW, a government agency. The park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999. This means it is a very important historical place.

A Look Back: Haviland Park's History

Early Days: Gundungurra Land and Settlers

The Burragorang Valley was a special place for the Gundungurra people. It had flat areas near the river. These areas are now covered by Warragamba Dam. Even before the land was officially mapped in 1827-1828, many early European settlers moved in. They were "squatting," which means they lived on land without owning it. They hoped to get official ownership later.

From this valley, settlers used Aboriginal paths to explore other valleys. They set up cattle farms and logging areas. They also started mining. The Gundungurra people tried to keep their lands. They used the laws of the time to ask for official ownership. Their individual claims were not successful. However, six Aboriginal reserves were created in the Burragorang Valley. These were special areas for Aboriginal people. The Aborigines Protection Board controlled them. Even after these reserves were closed, many Gundungurra people stayed. They quietly refused to leave their traditional homes.

Later, around 1894, many Gundungurra people moved to "the Gully." This was a community on the edge of West Katoomba. They lived there for over 60 years. Then, the Blue Mountains Shire Council made them leave. The council wanted to build a race track there. This track became known as the Catalina Race Track. The people from the Gully always remembered their old lands. They talked about the nearby Megalong, Kanimbla, and Burragorang Valleys. These valleys were very important to their families.

Building Warragamba Dam

The Warragamba Dam was built between 1947 and 1960. A town called Warragamba was also built nearby for the workers. The Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board built the dam. It was made of a huge amount of concrete. About three billion tonnes of concrete were used. The dam wall is 137 metres high.

After the dam was finished, public areas were created. These included picnic spots. Haviland Park was made from the dam's old construction site. It was part of a plan to make the area beautiful. This work happened in the early 1960s.

Haviland Park officially opened in December 1965. It was named after President Haviland. He was an architecture professor at the University of Sydney. He helped design the parks at Warragamba. To make the park, much of the dam's old building equipment was removed. A planned landscape was created for everyone to enjoy. Haviland Park is the most formal of the parks at Warragamba.

Other dams in New South Wales also had public facilities. These included Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon, Nepean, and Woronora Dams. Prospect Reservoir also had them. They all had similar features. These included picnic areas with hot water, barbecues, and wood. There were also seats, tables, lawns, and shade trees. Shelters, rubbish bins, and toilets were also provided.

Haviland Park still has many old parts from the dam's construction. These include old structures and engineering pieces. Some special plants like Japonica and Weeping Wisteria were moved here. Workers valued them highly.

The park area was used again for construction from 1998 to 2004. An extra spillway was built to help with floods. This project made Haviland Park about one-third smaller. The park has been closed since 1997 due to these big construction works.

The picnic grounds were about 10 hectares in size. They had visitor facilities like an oval and running tracks. There were also tennis courts, picnic shelters, and electric barbecues. Boiling water outlets, group shelters, and a kiosk were also available.

When finished, the park was south of the dam wall. It was on a ridge between Lavender Creek and Folly Creek. Roads and car parks gave visitors views of the dam. It was a great place for recreation.

The main feature of the park was a double row of sweet gum trees. These trees lined the main road. There was also a weather shelter and a fountain. Some buildings from the dam's construction were kept around the park.

In June 2016, the NSW Government announced a plan. They would spend $58 million to raise the dam wall by 14 metres. This is to help prevent floods in towns downstream.

What Haviland Park Looks Like

A view of Warragamba Dam.

Warragamba Dam is in a narrow gorge. It is about 65 kilometres south-west of Sydney. Haviland Park is east of the dam. It covers about 10 acres. The park has plants and structures that are mostly unchanged since the 1960s.

You can still see parts of the old construction equipment. These include rail tracks and building foundations. There are also concrete anchors and an old tunnel. Old road paths and a 19-tonne cableway are also there. The old timber and fibro systems office is still standing. This was once the engineers' office. The information centre was once the staff mess. These are the only two original buildings left from the construction site.

Haviland Park now has two open, grassy areas. Trees and shrubs, both native and introduced, surround them. Two rows of sweet gum trees are very noticeable. They were planted in the 1960s. Access roads and new car parks surround these areas. This park is the main open space at the dam. However, it has been closed since 1997 due to construction work.

The park has many types of trees. These include coastal redwood and Chinese tallow tree. There are also brush box, sweet gum, and paperbark trees. Jacaranda, camphor laurel, Monterey pine, Eucalypt, and she-oak trees are also present.

A stone wall surrounds the site. There is also a garden with special plants. These include Cacti, Agave, succulents, and Yuccas. You can also get to the Folly Creek area from here.

When open, the park had many facilities for visitors. These included parking areas and viewing points. There were picnic areas with tables and seats. Barbecue fireplaces with wood were provided. Hot water outlets, children's playgrounds, and shelters were also available. Public toilets and drinking fountains were there too.

Changes Over Time

• 1947-1960: Warragamba Dam and its village were built. Support facilities for dam workers were also created.
• 1965: Haviland Park was created to make the area beautiful. It included an avenue of trees, a fountain, and a weather shelter. Peter Spooner helped design the park.
• 1970s: A new plant for cleaning water and a pumping station were built.
• 1985-1990: The dam was upgraded. The wall was made taller, and the structure was made stronger.
• 1999-2004: An extra spillway was built. This meant digging up about a third of Haviland Park. Many roads and car parks were removed. The park was closed during this time. It has since been repaired.
• 2001: Bushfires destroyed several buildings. These included the weather shelter in Haviland Park. The community office and other sheds were also lost.
• 2002-Present: A plan for Warragamba Dam's future was made. A new Visitor's Centre is being built. Old buildings that were destroyed were removed.

A survey of the park was done in 2006. It looked at all the features. To the west, there are remains of two old roads. To the south, the main features are the road pattern and the double row of sweet gum trees. The base of an old fountain is also there. Other trees like Melaleucas and pines are on the east side.

Why Haviland Park is Special

Haviland Park is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how well the Water Board created visitor facilities at dam sites. It has many old parts from the dam's construction. These include archaeological finds, old buildings, and engineering pieces.

The park is very well planned and formal. It has many different types of plants, both local and from other countries. These add to the park's beauty. The park also honours President Haviland. He helped create many beautiful parks at the dams. Without him, these parks might not have been so well designed.

People in New South Wales value Haviland Park highly. They see it as a place for relaxing, having fun, and sightseeing. Sydney Water continues to look after Haviland Park. They also provide facilities for visitors.

Warragamba Dam - Haviland Park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999. This means it meets certain important standards.

Unique History and Beauty

This place is considered rare for its beauty in the whole state. It is also rare for its history and scientific importance. Many people in New South Wales value it highly.