Bakers Hill Railway Platform

Statement of Significance

Former Bakers Hill Railway Station is of cultural heritage significance for the following
reasons:The place is a tangible reminder of the role and that rail transport played in
the development of regional Western Australia.

Physical Description

The former Railway Platform is orientated in an east west direction in alignment with
Newman Street. The platform is elevated approximately 600mm above the ground
level, is approximately 5 metres wide and runs approximately 50 metres in length. The
platform is constructed with timber posts in the ground and timber slabs used as
retaining walls to the elevated platform. A timber top plate-edge beam is used on
top of the retaining section covering the timber posts. A bituminous surface is evident
to sections of the platform.
Railway line steel sections are located adjacent to each post and are embedded in
the platform. Embarkments are at either end of the platform.
There is a timber sign ‘Bakers Hill” supported by timber posts. An interpretation sign is
located in front of the platform to the eastern end and includes information about
the platform as well as initiative undertaken by the local community. A Heritage Trail
interpretive plaque for Kep Track is located to the north west of the platform and
includes information relating to the platform and the development of the Perth to
Kalgoorlie water pipeline.
The platform is currently in fair condition with sections in poor condition and evidence
of termite activity. Some trees are also damaging sections of the platform and some
sections have collapsed.
Behind the platform to the north are paddocks and to the south is Newman Street.

History

following is from interpretation signage on site.
Bakers Hill had a station and siding on the second route of the Eastern Railway
between Midland Junction and Spencers Brook. This track was closed in 1966 when
the route through the Avon Valley was opened. Although the rail was removed in
1890, remnants of the old platform are still visible today.
NOT KEEN ON PRIVATE SCHEME
I stand here tonight opposed to private enterprise…. [in] a great project like this
which would mean the necessities, the conveniences and even the lives of people
on these goldfields being handed over to private control.
(John Forrest, Western Australia, Debates of the Parliament 1896 IX 21 July 1896)
In a two-hour speech Premier John Forrest argued the state government had lost
money bailing out a private railway enterprise involving entrepreneur Edward Keane.
Keane lived in Bakers Hill – in the place you can see across the valley that became
Hooper’s Winery. The road to the pie shop behind you is Keane Street.
(National Trust Plaque for Kep Track)
BAKERS HILL RAILWAY STATION
This is the site of the Station which closed in 1966.
Trees and shrubs along this line were planted by Bakers Hill Primary School Yr 6/7
students under the guidance of volunteer salinity and townscape persons on August
18th 2005.
Funding for the project was received from Agriculture W.A. Salinity Management and
Shire of Northam.
Rest But A While and Ponder Of Days Gone By

Integrity/Authenticity

Level of Integrity: Medium
Level of Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Fair and Poor in sections

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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.