Speers Point Tram Route

Item details


Name of item:	Speers Point Tram Route
Other name/s:	Speers Point SteamTram Route across Winding Creek
Type of item:	Archaeological-Terrestrial
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Tramway - urban
Primary address:	off Frederick Street, off Park Avenue, west side Lake Road, Argenton, NSW 2284
Parish:	Kahibah
County:	Northumberland
Local govt. area:	Lake Macquarie

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
off Frederick Street, off Park Avenue, west side Lake Road	Argenton	Lake Macquarie	Kahibah	Northumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	SIGNIFICANCE - 1993: Speers Point steam tram route, as a branch of the West Wallsend route, has considerable historic significance. From 1912-30 (when private motor cars were a rarity), the tram gave Speers Pt its main means of daily transport to Newcastle. It provided a most popular way to get to Speers Point, & thence to other parts of the Lake, for picnickers & holiday makers. The tram service made a great impact on the development of Speers Point as a holiday resort, so that it rivalled Toronto, which had its own railway train. The Newcastle to West Wallsend & Speers Point tram route (25 km) was reputedly the longest in the state. It had the last Newcastle steam trams to run, & was one of the last steam tram services to operate in NSW. The steam trams have a strong nostalgic value, & are still fondly remembered in the district. LEVEL of SIGNIFICANCE - 1993: Regional Significance - Moderate Local Significance - High. (also see RT-02)
	Date significance updated: 08 Jun 16
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	NSW Government Railways &Tramways Design Office
Construction years:	1909-1910
Physical description:	PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - 1993: DESCRIPTION: Archaeological Site Condition: The former tramway route is still quite obvious & the easement may still exist. Not known if any sections of track survive. Archaeological Remains: There may be remains of bridge piers in Winding Creek (above or below ground) or under the ground surface.
Further information:	CONSERVATION ACTION : Recommended that the easement be retained, and consideration be given to the development of a cycleway along the route to Speers Point. Use noted in 1993: Vacant Land

History


Historical notes:	HISTORICAL NOTES: Speers Point was a popular picnic spot for Newcastle residents & a place to catch ferries to other parts of the Lake. Its greatest popularity followed the inauguration of the steam tram from Newcastle City in 1912. The last trams ran in 1930 & were replaced by motor buses in 1931.

Recommended management:


	CONSERVATION ACTION : Recommended that the tramway easement be retained, and consideration be given to the development of a cycleway along the tramway route to Speers Point (also see RT-02).

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Statutory Instrument	List on a Local Environmental Plan (LEP)	22 May 08
Recommended Management	Carry out an Archaeological Assessment	22 May 08
Recommended Management	Produce an Archaeological Management Plan (AMP)	22 May 08
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education	22 May 08

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2004	AG-06	19 Mar 04

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993	AG-06	Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd	Doring	Yes
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993		Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd		Yes
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993		Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd		Yes
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993		Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd		Yes
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993		Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Nilsen, L.(editor)	1985	"Lake Macquarie: Past & Present"

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	1910012

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