Balmain Reservoir
Encyclopedia
Balmain Reservoir is a 11 megalitre disused, covered reservoir located under Gladstone Park in Balmain
, in the Inner West
of Sydney
, New South Wales
, Australia.
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
.
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 a bandstand
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
Heritage Award in 2006.
Balmain, New South Wales
Balmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
, in the Inner West
Inner West (Sydney)
The Inner West is a general term which is used to describe the metropolitan area directly to the west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia...
of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia.
Description
The reservoir is rectangular in shape, measuring 180 feet (54.86 m) by 108 feet (32.91 m) and 22 feet (6.71 m) tall. It is divided into two chambers by a 15 feet 6 inch (4.72 m) separating wall which supports a walkway. The reinforced concrete roof and park above are supported by concrete pillars spaced at 12 feet (3.66 m) 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
Sydney Water is a New South Wales government owned corporation that provides drinking water, wastewater and some stormwater services to Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains, in Australia...
.
History
Potts Hill, New South Wales
Potts Hill, a suburb of local government area City of Bankstown, is located 21 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is a part of the South-western Sydney region....
. The restoration of Gladstone Park and the erection of a bandstand
Bandstand
A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts...
was made a condition of construction of the reservoir. The facility was made redundant by the commissioning of Petersham
Petersham, New South Wales
Petersham is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Petersham is located 6 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Marrickville Council...
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
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
Heritage Award in 2006.