Australia's very first conservation order was probably made over 200 years ago to protect the Tank Stream. In 1795 Governor Phillip issued an order forbidding pollution of the watercourse and establishing a 15-metre greenbelt on either side. Although now an unassuming stormwater drain, the Tank Stream was the single most important resource responsible for determining the location of the city of Sydney. Today Sydney Water manages this hidden heritage place, along with many other significant examples of engineering ingenuity. Reservoirs, water and sewage pumping stations, pipes, drains and channels, sewage treatment plants and ocean outfall sewers - at first glance, 'heritage' is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of these industrial utilities. But these places are evidence of 120 years of Sydney's development and government provision of water to the area's inhabitants, irrigators and industries and processing waste and removal of stormwater. These surprising heritage items are the template for the later development of our towns and cities, as well as landmark structures in their own right. They are evidence of our history, and may have significant technical, aesthetic, social, spiritual and historic value. These places tell us about our past, and should be part of the inheritance of future generations.
In providing the growing city of Sydney with water, sewerage and stormwater services and protecting public health, Sydney Water pursued innovative engineering solutions. Many places demonstrate significant creative and technical achievement, and are heritage items with significant community esteem. Others are rich in archaeological resources. Last year Sydney Water held a special event at the Tank Stream to celebrate a major achievement in the conservation of NSW's engineering heritage. On 27 May 2002 Sydney Water launched its Heritage and Conservation Register. Over 200 items are listed on the register which was developed with the assistance of the NSW Heritage Office. The particular importance of some of the items was recognized by the Minister for Planning's announcement on the day that 27 new items would be listed on the State Heritage Register. With these new listings, Sydney Water now manages a total of 59 State significant items. Director of the NSW Heritage Office, Reece McDougall, congratulated Sydney Water on the new listings. "From the watercourse that was Sydney's founding inspiration to the massive engineering structures of today, these listings recognize the key role of infrastructure in the story of our city's development," said Mr McDougall The launch was the culmination of a three year review of its heritage register. Items selected for listing on the State Heritage Register included the Prospect Reservoir, the Pitt Street Head Office building, the 'Ben Buckler' sewer vent at Bondi and the Sydenham Drainage Pit and Pumping Station in Marrickville. With a 114 year history in supplying water, sewerage and stormwater services and in the protection of public health, Sydney Water is serious about its heritage items and history. It has adopted a new Heritage Strategy to manage its collection. After the launch of the Heritage and Conservation Register, it has now embarked on the next stage of the strategy: planning for the future care and use of these special places. An innovative three-year project will see conservation management plans drawn up for the 59 heritage items listed on the State Heritage Register. For further information on heritage at Sydney Water, contact MacLaren North, Heritage Manager, Sydney Water, ph: (02) 9350 6181
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