Penrith Power Station (former)

Item details


Name of item:	Penrith Power Station (former)
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Electricity
Category:	Electricity Generator/Power Station - coal/gas/oil
Primary address:	1 Museum Drive, Penrith, NSW 2750
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Penrith

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
1 Museum Drive	Penrith	Penrith		Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	A former power station of technological, architectural and historical significance. It was the first power station built by the electricity commission of New South Wales to alleviate the chronic power shortages of the immediate post World War II period and so is a reminder of the economic boom then experienced in Australia. Although lacking power generating equipment, the present fabric of the building is intact and virtually as built. The building shows the layout of the early 1950s power station, which used American heavy generating equipment to provide interim local generating capacity while a State wide grid, based on large regional stations, was being developed. The power station is also a fine example of post war international style architecture applied to an industrial building. Its folded profile concrete roof was innovative and incorporates an early example of an Australian designed rod truss. (Register of the National Estate) The Number 10 vehicle number plates are valued for their historical and social significance. One of the earliest recipients of the first number plates issued by the Roads and Traffic Authority, the number 10 plates have since 1910, been affixed to the vehicle of the Chief Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigades. The nomination includes the original 'No. 10' vitreous enamel plate issued by the RTA in 1910 (a single plate was affixed to the rear of the vehicle in 1910) and the replacement set of 'No. 10' embossed steel plates issued in 1937 (by the 1920s two 'plates' were being used. The plates have been in continuous use by the NSW FB since 1910. The numeric plates No. 10 are the only NSW number plates to remain in issue to the same organisation since number plates were first introduced in NSW. The Number 10 vehicle number plates are held in great esteem by the NSW Fire Brigades and firefighters in New South Wales, for their symbolic association with the Commissioner and the traditions of the Fire Brigades.
	Date significance updated: 20 Oct 04
	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


Physical description:	The museum is located within the the former Power House. This large building comprises a reinforced concrete frame, with precast concrete panels and steel framed glazed panels. The roof is framed in rolled steel joists. Significant structures remaining from the 1953-70 operation of the power station are the 1953 combined boiler house/turbine hall, a 1955 administration block, two large oil storage tanks (mid 1960s), a large water tank, a water pump house with reactivator and the remains of a rail siding. The main building is a large reinforced concrete framed, concrete brick building with a folded concrete roof supported on steel rod trusses. The building has three levels in its boiler house (northern) section and two levels in its turbine hall. The mezzanine floor against the southern wall, which originally contained the control room and operating switch boards remains, but all of the equipment has been removed. Several rooms and the amenities areas exist at the rear. The only remains of power generation equipment are four coal hoppers on the north side, the remains of an ash hopper in the north west corner and the overhead crane in the turbine hall. The administration building is a single storey brick building which includes a laboratory. All three tanks are cylindrical and constructed of welded steel plate, enclosed on top. The pump house and reactivator is a square building constructed of brick with concrete floor and roof. The reactivator system has a steel open topped circular reacting vessel and associated chemical hoppers and piping. (Register of the National Estate) The current use of the building as the Museum of Fire is demonstrated through a range of exhibits under sheltered and signage prominent to Castlereagh Road and the railway station. The extensive grounds are accessed via a narrow road easement off Castlereagh Road. The grounds include a former second world war steel framed and sheeted Nissen type hut structure with three roof mounted ventilators currently serving as workshop facilities, and open ground and a rail easement which help interpret the original operations of the power plant. The neighbouring substation yard is also visible from the grounds that similarly provides insight into the original use of the item. NSW Fire Brigades No 10 Vehicle Number Plates Collection includes an original plate: of vitreous enamel and the current set of plates: of embossed steel.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Good
	Date condition updated:03 Mar 05
Modifications and dates:	Museum fitout 1980s The number plates were issued by the registering authority. In 1910 this was the Traffic Superintendent's Office of the NSW Police Department, in 1930 by the Department of Road Transport and Tramways and in 1952 by the Department of Motor Transport, and again in early 1989 by the Roads and Traffic Authority.
Further information:	Provenance and significance of Nissen type hut should be investigated. The original plate is displayed in the Penrith Fire Museum, granted the right to display the item by the RTA.


Current use:	Museum
Former use:	Power Station Number 10 Number Plates Original at Penrith Fire Museum - Existing affixed to vehicle current Commissior

History

Historical notes:

The power station was completed by the Electricity Commission of New South Wales in 1953 as a short-term measure for the generation of electricity for industrial consumption. The station supplied Penrith, Blacktown, St. Marys, Richmond and Windsor and also supplied the state grid. It was one of four simular power stations erected at the time.
The administration block and laboratory where built in 1955. The station was originally powered coal fire steam generators and during the 1960s the boilers were converted to run on oil. It is thought that the oil stirage tanks were installed at this time. The steam driven Stations were made redundant in 1970 when the state power grid came into action with the construction of major stations at Wallerawang and Wangi. The station was converted to a switch yard in 1970 and the equipment for the Power House dismantled in 1974. The Museum of Fire began operating in 1986

The No. 10 number plate has been allocated to the Chief Officer of the NSW Fire Brigades since the inception of number plates by the Roads and Traffic Authority in 1910. The first vehicle allocated the plate, in 1910 was a 14 h.p. B.S.A vehicle used by the Chief Officer A.Webb. (1989 - 1913) The plates have been uniquely issued to the Chief Officer, now Commissioner, of the Fire Brigades since 1910. The Number 10 vehicle has been photographed on numerous occasions, both formal and operational, for nearly 100 years.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Industrial development-
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]	It was the first power station built by the electricity commission of New South Wales to alleviate the chronic power shortages of the immediate post World War II period and so is a reminder of the economic boom then experienced in Australia. (Register of the National Estate) The plates are associated with the Chief Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigades, a very senior public servant of the State. The Fire Brigades was a leading innovator in modern vehicles machinery in the early days (from 1884). The plates demonstrates early and continuous association with road vehicles. Vitreous enamel plates were issued 1910 - 1937 and pressed from 1937 to the present. The Chief Officers plates, No.10, have been allocated since 1910 continuously, and is unique in NSW and possibly Australia.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The power station is a fine example of post war international style architecture applied to an industrial building. Its folded profile concrete roof was innovative and incorporates an early example of an Australian designed rod truss. (Register of the National Estate)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The No. 10 Vehicle Number plates are held in high regard by the NSW Fire Brigades as part of their working tradition.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Although lacking technological equipment, the present fabric of the building is intact and virtually as built. As such the building shows the layout of the early 1950s power stations that used American heavy generating equipment to provide interim local generating capacity while a State wide grid based on large regional stations, was being developed.(Register of the National Estate)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	There has only ever been one issue of the 'Number 10' number plate from the Roads and Traffic Authority.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Number 10 Number plate representative of its type.
Integrity/Intactness:	High externally, fair internally.The plates are intact and in excellent condition. At least one vehicle associated with the plates, the 1929 - 1957 Super 8 Hudson was disposed of. Further research into other associated motor cars is required.
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.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date
Local Environmental Plan	Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010	259	22 Sep 10
Heritage study	Museum of Fire	P-42	01 Apr 87
Heritage study		2260259	01 Nov 07

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
	0	P-42			No
Register of the National Estate	0		Contribution to Australian Heritage Commission		Yes
Penrith Heritage Study Review	2005	P-42	Paul Davies Pty. Ltd.	Paul Davies Pty Ltd	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Colin Adrian	1984	Fighting Fire - a century of service 1884 - 1984
Written	Don Godden and Associates	1986	Penrith Power Station
Written	Integrated Design Associates	2005	Heritage Analysis - Proposed and Existing Development in the vicinity The Museum of Fire
Written	Lew Phillips	1993	History: No. 10
Written	Roads and Traffic Authority	1989	Correspondence to the NSW Fire Brigade in relation to Number 10 licence plates

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:	2260259

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