Eraring Power Station

Item details


Name of item:	Eraring Power Station
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Electricity
Category:	Electricity Generator/Power Station - coal/gas/oil
Primary address:	268 and 294 Rocky Point Road, Eraring, NSW 2264
Parish:	Coorumbung
County:	Northumberland
Local govt. area:	Lake Macquarie

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
268 and 294 Rocky Point Road	Eraring	Lake Macquarie	Coorumbung	Northumberland	Primary Address
Entrance in Rocky Point Road	Eraring	Lake Macquarie	Coorumbung	Northumberland	Alternate Address
115, 215, 235 and 260 Construction Road	Myuna Bay	Lake Macquarie	Coorumbung	Northumberland	Alternate Address

Statement of significance:


	SIGNIFICANCE - 1993: Apart from Pasminco (the Sulphide Corporation), Eraring Power Station is the biggest industrial undertaking around the Lake, and one of the biggest in the Hunter region. Eraring contrasts strongly with nearby Wangi P.S. in size of units (660 MW x 4 to Wangi's 50 MW x 3 & 60 MW x 3) and in design philosophy - Eraring was designed as a utilitarian structure, with minimal concessions to appearance, while Wangi was designed to express its function without sacrificing a pleasing appearance. Eraring represents the "State of the Art" in its technology, and is one of the biggest power stations in the State. It is undoubtedly highly significant, although considering its youth, it is arguable whether Eraring yet qualifies as a heritage item. Doring 2008: However, consider its social significance to Lake Macquarie, and its position as the natural successor to Wangi Power Station - almost within sight of Wangi, using the same coal sources, and employing the same people and families. LEVEL of SIGNIFICANCE - 1993: State Significance - high Regional Significance - high Local Significance - high
	Date significance updated: 14 May 08
	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


Construction years:	1976-1984
Physical description:	PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - 1993: Architectural style: Industrail utilitarian (form follows function exactly) Material: Frames - Turbines - steel portals Boilers - steel skeleton frame Roof - Colorbond steel Walls/Cladding - Colorbond steel sheet on turbine house, concrete chimneys Windows - industrial glazing Floors - concrete Interior - ? The power station has open steel frame around boilers, portal frame building covering turbo-generators.Eraring Power Station consists of (west to east) switchyard, cooling water canal (taking water from the Lake at Bonnell's Bay, south of the power station), turbine hall, auxiliary bay, boilers, ash filters, stacks and cooling water outlet tunnel and canal ending in Myuna Bay . Housing for these structures is basic, only used to protect vulnerable machinery from weather. Each of the 4 turbo-generators is 50 metres long and produces 660 Megawatts of electricity. The 4 boilers are 80 metres high and burn 6.5 million tons of coal per year. Bag filters are used to collect ash. The 2 stacks are 200 metres high and visible from far across the lake.
Modifications and dates:	none known


Current use:	1993: electric power generation

History


Historical notes:	HISTORICAL NOTES - 1993: Eraring was the 5th power station designed and built by Elcom, after Wallerawang, Vales Point, Munmorah & Liddell. Construction began 1976, the 1st unit was commissioned in March 1982, the last in 1984. It employs about 600 people. The only power station equalling Eraring in size is Bayswater in the Upper Hunter.

Recommended management:


	RECOMMENDATION - 1993 & 2008: Consider nominating Eraring Power Station for the State Heritage Register. This should be done while Eraring is still operating as a base load power station, to ensure wide recognition of its significance. Encourage the undertaking of a CMP. Organise an Oral History programme for older and former employees.

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Statutory Instrument	List on a Local Environmental Plan (LEP)	23 May 08
Statutory Instrument	Nominate for State Heritage Register (SHR)	14 May 08
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)	23 May 08
Recommended Management	Document and prepare an archival record	23 May 08

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan	Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2014	93	10 Oct 14
Local Environmental Plan	Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2004	ER-01	19 Mar 14

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
City of Lake Macquarie Heritage Study	1993	ER-01	Suters Architects Snell, Dr J. Turner, C & MJ Doring Pty Ltd	Doring	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written			Public information pamphlets on power stations, including Eraring
Written	C & MJ Doring	1992	Vales Point Power Station - Heritage Study
Written	C & MJ Doring	1990	Wangi Power Station - Heritage Study
Written	Nilsen, L. (ed)	1985	Lake Macquarie: Past and 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:	1910095

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