Home    Listings    Heritage Databases    Heritage Database Search    Heritage Item Click on the BACK button of your browser to return to the previous page.

Item
Name of Item:	Waverley Reservoir No.1 (WS 0132)
Other Name/s:	WS132
Type of Item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Water
Category:	Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Location:	Lat:151.25644958 Long:-33.89470165
Primary Address:	Paul Street, Waverley, NSW 2024
Local Govt. Area:	Waverley
Property Description: Lot/Volume Code Lot/Volume Number Section Number Plan/Folio Code Plan/Folio Number LOT 1 - DP 1035985
All Addresses
Street Address Suburb/Town LGA Parish County Type Paul Street  Waverley  Waverley      Primary  Bondi Road  Waverley  Waverley      Alternate
Owner/s Organisation Name Owner Category Date Ownership Updated Sydney Water  State Government  27 Nov 98
Statement of Significance	The group of four reservoirs at Waverley demonstrates the progressive development of different construction techniques for reservoirs, the rapid growth of demand in the Sydney suburbs, and the need for greater elevation in order to connect reticulation mains to the higher suburban areas. Waverley Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 132) is the last of four reservoirs, three of which are still in service and owned by SWC, associated with the Botany Swamps Scheme, 1858-1886. All covered reservoirs are highly significant within the SWC system, since all differ in construction technology, design and architectural detailing. All therefore contribute to our understanding of the development of covered reservoirs in NSW. Date Significance Updated: 09 Jun 05 Note: There are incomplete details for a number of items listed in NSW. The Heritage Branch intends to develop or upgrade statements of significance and other information for these items as resources become available.
Description
Designer/Maker:	PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Builder/Maker:	PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Physical Description:	Waverley Reservoir No.1 (WS 132) is a circular concrete covered reservoir. It has a concrete floor and walls, though from the surface the upper part of the walls appear to be constructed of brick with a sandstone coping. The roof is covered with fill and grassed over. The cast iron ventilation caps and access chamber cover form a single line across the diameter of the roof and have given the reservoir its nickname of "Stonehenge". The cast iron ventilation caps are used on a number of other reservoirs, including Randwick Reservoir (WS 101) and Petersham Reservoir (WS 89). The recreational and open space usage of the roof of the reservoir is a historical and important feature of most covered reservoirs.
Modifications and Dates:	Reservoir is in service and in good condition.
Further Information:	National Trust (NSW) Listing Card, May 1986., Aird.W.V.1961., The Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage of Sydney., Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage.1913., Official Handbook., Miller.S.P.1961., Eastern suburbs water supply.Sydney Water Board Journal. July.,
History
Historical Notes:	Waverley Reservoir (Covered), nicknamed "Stonehenge" (WS 132), completed in 1887, was the last of four reservoirs built to augment the Botany Swamps Scheme (1858-1886). The other three reservoirs include: - Crown Street Reservoir (WS 34), 1859, - Paddington Reservoir, 1864 (disused and no longer owned by Sydney Water), and - Woollahra Reservoir (WS 144), 1880. However Waverley Reservoir (WS 132) was not supplied solely by Botany Swamps Water, because by 1886 the Hudson Scheme had come on line, supplying water from the Upper Nepean, prior to the completion of that Scheme in 1888. Water was pumped from Woollahra Reservoir for the first six years of its service, then from Crown Street Reservoir in 1893. From 1927 onwards Waterloo Pumping Station took over supply of the reservoir. Waverley Reservoir (WS 132) was the highest of the reservoirs intended to be supplied by Botany Swamps. However it soon became apparent that additional height was required for reticulation purposes. This led to the construction of two elevated steel tanks in 1894 (now demolished). With increasing demand, these tanks were eventually superseded by the present Waverley Reservoir (Elevated) (WS 136) and Waverley Reservoir No.2 (Covered) (WS 133), both completed in 1917. Final augmentation of supply took place in 1938 with the construction of Waverley Reservoir No.3 (WS 134). The group of four reservoirs not only supply the Eastern Suburbs by gravitation, but also supply Bellevue Hill (WS 10) by pumping station. The Waverley Reservoir Group not only demonstrates the dramatic increase in demand from 1887 through to 1938, but also the progression and development of reservoir construction techniques, rarely seen on any other SWC site.
Historic Themes
Australian Theme (abbrev) New South Wales Theme Local Theme 4. Settlement - Building settlements, towns and cities Utilities - Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis (none) -
Assessment of Significance
SHR Criteria a) [Historical Significance]	Waverley Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 132) is the last of three reservoirs, still in service, associated with the Botany Swamps Scheme, 1858-1886. This reservoir and site demonstrates particularly well the amplification in demand due to growing population.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic Significance]	The recreational and open space usage of the roof of the reservoir is a historical and important feature of this and most other covered reservoirs.
SHR Criteria e) [Research Potential]	The group of four reservoirs at Waverley demonstrates the progressive development of different construction techniques for reservoir and the need for greater elevation in order to connect reticulation mains to the higher suburban areas. All covered reservoirs are highly significant within the SWC system, since all differ in construction technology, design and architectural detailing. All therefore contribute to our understanding of the development of covered reservoirs in NSW.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	One of a small group of large covered reservoirs in brick or concrete in the SWC system, each demonstrating differences in construction, design and architectural detailing. It is one of only four reservoirs associated with the Botany Swamps Supply.
Assessment Criteria	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.
Procedures /Exemptions
Section of Act Description Title Comments Action Date 21(1)(b)  Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement  Waverley Reservoirs Site CMP, by Sydney Water for Sydney, dated October 2004  CMP received for review and endorsement 27 October 2005    57(2)  Exemption to allow work  Standard Exemptions  SCHEDULE OF STANDARD EXEMPTIONS HERITAGE ACT 1977 Notice of Order Under Section 57 (2) of the Heritage Act 1977 I, the Minister for Planning, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, do by this Order: 1. revoke the Schedule of Exemptions to subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act made under subsection 57(2) and published in the Government Gazette on 22 February 2008; and 2. grant standard exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977, described in the Schedule attached. FRANK SARTOR Minister for Planning Sydney, 11 July 2008 To view the schedule click on the Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval link below.  Sep 5 2008
	Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval
Listings
Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page Heritage Act - State Heritage Register    01353  18 Nov 99       Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register    125126        National Trust of Australia register
Study Details
Title Year Number Author Inspected by Guidelines Used Sydney Water Heritage Study  1996  125126  Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd  GRAHAM BROOKS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 1 July 1996  Yes
References, Internet links & Images
None
Note: Internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
(Click on Thumbnail for Full Size Image and Image Details)
Data Source
The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage Branch
Database Number:	5051455
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager. All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of the Heritage Branch or respective copyright owners.