Balmain Reservoir on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
The Balmain Reservoir is a disused, covered
The reservoir is rectangular in shape, measuring and is tall. It is divided into two chambers by a separating wall which supports a walkway. The reinforced concrete roof and park above are supported by concrete pillars spaced at intervals throughout both chambers.
Access to the reservoir is through the adjoining valve house which extends a further two storeys underground and housed pumping equipment in the lowest level.
The entire facility comprising the reservoir, valve house and remaining equipment is owned and maintained by
Local Images at InnerWest ImageBank
Local History Collection, Leichhardt Council
{{Waterways of Sydney Reservoirs in Sydney Buildings and structures in Sydney Sydney Water Balmain, New South Wales
reservoir
A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation.
Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contr ...
located under Gladstone Park in Balmain, in the Inner West
The Inner West of Sydney is an area directly west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. The suburbs that make up the Inner West are predominantly located along the southern shore of Port Jackson (Parramatta River ...
of Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mounta ...
, New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
, Australia.
Description
The reservoir is rectangular in shape, measuring and is tall. It is divided into two chambers by a separating wall which supports a walkway. The reinforced concrete roof and park above are supported by concrete pillars spaced at intervals throughout both chambers.
Access to the reservoir is through the adjoining valve house which extends a further two storeys underground and housed pumping equipment in the lowest level.
The entire facility comprising the reservoir, valve house and remaining equipment is owned and maintained by Sydney Water
Sydney Water, formally, Sydney Water Corporation, is a New South Wales Government owned statutory corporation that provides potable drinking water, wastewater and some stormwater services to Greater Metropolitan Sydney, the Illawarra and the B ...
.
History
Balmain reservoir was built in 1915 by the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage, Sydney, and was originally supplied with water by gravity from Potts Hill. The restoration of Gladstone Park and the erection of abandstand
A bandstand (sometimes music kiosk) is a circular, semicircular or polygonal structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. A simple construction, it both creates an orname ...
was made a condition of construction of the reservoir. The facility was made redundant by the commissioning of Petersham Reservoir in 1965 and has remained disused ever since.
The neighbouring valve house was constructed in 1917 on the Booth Street frontage of the park and this, together with the footings of the bandstand, can still be seen today. Restoration work on the valve house earned a National Trust of Australia
The National Trust of Australia, officially the Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT), is the Australian national peak body for community-based, non-government non-profit organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's In ...
Heritage Award in 2006.
See also
*Bankstown Reservoir
Bankstown Reservoir is a heritage-protected water tower and a local landmark situated in the suburb of Bankstown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Located west of Sydney CBD, the reservoir is elevated and was built on reinforced concrete p ...
*Paddington Reservoir
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 B ...
References
Further reading
* Solling, M; Reynolds, P; ''Leichhardt: On the margins of the city'', Allen & Unwin, 1997, . * Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage; ''Balmain Service Reservoir'', Original site and contract plans; Date Unknown.External links
Local Images at InnerWest ImageBank
Local History Collection, Leichhardt Council
{{Waterways of Sydney Reservoirs in Sydney Buildings and structures in Sydney Sydney Water Balmain, New South Wales