Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Great Eastern Hwy Merredin
Location Details
On south side of railway line, near Allenby Street REGISTERED AS PART OF 1577
Other Name(s)
Water Tower
Construction Date
Constructed from 1893
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey | Completed | 11 Dec 1998 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 2 |
Category 2 |
|
Statement of Significance
Although the same design of water tank is found elsewhere in the state e.g. at Mullewa, the tower is a significant engineering structure of historical and architectural importance, of value for tourism.
Physical Description
The 50' high tower is located on railway land, immediately adjacent and readily accessible from, Great Eastern Highway. It is the tallest structure in the town and readily seen from a distance.
History
Mounted on an up-right at the base of the tower is a Bicentenial Plaque with the following inscription: "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail/The Water Tower. When the eastern railway reached Merredin in 1893 this tower was built to"provide water for the steam engines then in use. Water was pumped from the dam at Merredin Peak into the square tank, which has a capacity of 40,000 gallons. On the tank's side can be seen advertisements for Kalgoorlie Bitter and Oatmeal Stout, produced in the Merredin Brewery in 1928."
Because of purity of the water from the rock catchment, the water tower continued to be used long after supply of water to the town from the Goldfields Pipeline, until steam trains were withdrawn from service in the mid 1960s.
Integrity/Authenticity
The water tower is as constructed, complete with advertisements, and has a very high integrity.
Condition
Fair but deteriorating
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" | WA Heritage Committee | 1988 | |
| "The Old Station Museum" booklet | Merredin Museum & Historical society | Undated | |
| "Merredin Tourist" brochure | 1979 | ||
| Merredin Tourist Information Centre (Inc.) |
Place Type
Historic site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Water Tower |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Water Tower |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | TIMBER | Log |
| Other | METAL | Steel |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
Creation Date
05 Jul 1995Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
01 Jan 2017Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.