Woollahra Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woollahra Reservoir |
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| Location | 5R Oxford Street, Centennial Park, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architect | NSW Public Works Department |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Official name: Woollahra Reservoir WS022 | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 18 November 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1356 |
| Type | Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam |
| Category | Utilities - Water |
| Builders | NSW Public Works Department |
The Woollahra Reservoir, also known as WS022, is a special water storage building in Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia. It's listed as a heritage site, meaning it's an important part of history. The NSW Public Works Department designed and built it. Today, Sydney Water, a government group, owns and looks after it. This reservoir was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999 because of its historical importance.
Contents
How Sydney Got Its Water: A Look Back
The area we now call Centennial Parklands has a long history, going back almost 200 years. Before European settlers arrived, this land belonged to the Gadi people, an Aboriginal clan. Their territory covered much of the Sydney area, including where Centennial Park is today.
The Kangaroo Ground
Early maps from the late 1700s show an area near Centennial Park called the "Kangaroo Ground." This name came from the English settlers. The Gadi people likely kept this land clear by regularly burning the undergrowth. This helped attract kangaroos and other animals for hunting.
Sydney Common: Land for Everyone
In 1811, Governor Macquarie set aside a large area of land as the "Sydney Common." This land was for public use. It was important because it had a natural supply of clean water from underground sources. In 1820, a special water reserve was created within this common land.
Busby's Bore: Sydney's First Water Tunnel
Sydney's early water supply, the Tank Stream, became dirty and wasn't enough for the growing town. So, in 1825, the government looked for new water sources. They decided to use the Lachlan Swamps, which were part of the Sydney Common.
John Busby, a surveyor, designed a way to bring water from the swamps to the town. He planned a long tunnel, which became known as Busby's Bore. This tunnel was Sydney's first piped water supply. It was about 3,700 metres (12,000 ft) long and could hold a huge amount of water. It supplied Sydney with water until 1858.
From Swamps to Parks: The Birth of Centennial Parklands
As Sydney grew, more water was needed. Dams were built in the Lachlan Swamps in 1872 to help store more water. Over time, parts of the Sydney Common were turned into public parks.
Moore Park: A Place for Sports
In 1866, a large section of the Sydney Common was set aside as a recreation ground. It was named Moore Park in 1867, after Charles Moore, who was the Mayor of Sydney. Moore Park quickly became a popular spot for sports and events. It hosted the Zoological Gardens, the Royal Agricultural Society Showground, and even an early golf course.
Queens Park: A Community Space
Queens Park was created in 1887. It was used for a golf course for a while and, since the 1930s, has been a sports field for local groups and schools.
Centennial Park: The People's Park
The idea for a "grand park" for everyone in Sydney came from Lord Carrington, the Governor of NSW. Sir Henry Parkes, the premier, helped make this dream a reality.
Centennial Park was officially created in 1887 to celebrate Australia's 100th anniversary. It opened on 26 January 1888. Sir Henry Parkes said it was "emphatically the people's park," meaning it was truly for everyone. The park was designed to turn an "unsightly area into a region of loveliness and beauty."
Charles Moore, the Director of the Botanic Gardens (not the mayor), helped design the park's layout. He used unemployed workers to transform the land into the beautiful park we see today.
The Woollahra Reservoir's Role
The Woollahra Reservoir was finished in 1880. It's one of the oldest working reservoirs in Sydney. It was originally part of the Botany Swamps water system, which supplied Sydney with water from 1858 to 1886.
The reservoir gets its water from other sources now, including the Centennial Park No.1 Reservoir. It helps supply water to the higher parts of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
What Does Woollahra Reservoir Look Like?
The Woollahra Reservoir is a large, rectangular water tank that is covered. Its roof is covered with earth and grass, so it blends in with the park. A special feature is a layer of "puddled clay" on the outside of its brick walls. This clay helps keep the water from leaking out. The reservoir is located in the north-east part of Centennial Park and fits in nicely with its surroundings.
Why Is Woollahra Reservoir Important?
The Woollahra Reservoir is very important for several reasons:
- It's one of only a few reservoirs still working that were part of Sydney's early water supply system (the Botany Swamps Scheme).
- It's the second oldest working reservoir in Sydney.
- It shows how good engineering was in the late 1800s, especially with its special clay layer and brick walls.
- It's part of a group of three reservoirs in Centennial Park. These reservoirs show how water storage technology improved over time and how much Sydney's need for water grew. This group of reservoirs is special because of their size, design, and details.
The Woollahra Reservoir was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999 because it helps us understand the history of New South Wales. It also shows great technical skill in its design and construction.
