Electricity Substation No. 122

Item details


Name of item:	Electricity Substation No. 122
Other name/s:	#122 'Collins Street' Substation, 'Electricity Substation No. 122"
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Electricity
Category:	Electricity Transformer/Substation
Primary address:	12 Collins Street, Annandale, NSW 2038
Local govt. area:	Inner West

Boundary:

Building only - in carpark of unit block

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
12 Collins Street	Annandale	Inner West			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Ausgrid	State Government

Statement of significance:


	The Collins Street substation is a modest Interwar building designed in the Interwar Free Classical style. It is an early example of a distribution substation built by the Municipal Council of Sydney as a part of the expansion of the electricity network to the inner city suburbs.
	Date significance updated: 23 Mar 07
	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:	Municipal Council of Sydney
Builder/Maker:	Municipal Council of Sydney
Construction years:	1921-1921
Physical description:	The Collins Street substation has a symmetrical double height façade designed in the Interwar Free Classical style. The building has only minor architectural merit. There is a central double height roller shutter door with a pair of eight paneled windows on either side. Lintels and the parapet are cement rendered forming broad white bands across the façade, which contrasts with the face brickwork. It is included in the Annandale Urban Conservation Area as listed by the National Trust. The Collins Street substation is constructed in face brick with reinforced concrete lintels.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Generally good. Downpipes discharge to ground surface. Clerestory needs paint.
	Date condition updated:23 Mar 07
Modifications and dates:	Roof replaced. Gutters and downpipes replaced. Roller door replaced. Vents replaced.


Current use:	Electricity Substation

History

Historical notes:

The Collins Street substation is a purpose designed and built structure dating from 1921. A Sydney Municipal Council logo is formed in relief on the gable façade below the brick pediment. A name plaque mounted above the central entrance to the substation features the words "ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION No. 122" in relief above the door. It was built as a part of the inner city expansion of the electricity network.

The Minutes of the Municipal Council of Sydney Electric Lighting Committee (CRS 14) record the following information about this site:

Vol 14:

23/5/21 Pp 56-7 - land to be purchased from Beale & Co for £80.

1/8/21 p119-120 - erection of substation authorised.

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	Distribution of electricity-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Historically significant as a tangible reminder of the early expansion of the electricity network into the inner city suburbs.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Collins Street substation is a modest Interwar building designed in the Interwar Free Classical style.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Typical in scale, function and technical arrangement for a distribution substation.
Integrity/Intactness:	Modified. Changes to external fabric and loss of context.
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.

Recommended management:

This item contributes to local character and should be conserved. Original details should be maintained including doors, windows and original signage. New materials should be sympathetic to the nature and character of the original building. In the event of major proposed changes, prepare a Conservation Management Strategy and undertake an archival recording. Wherever possible, changes should be restricted to the interior of the building. Routine maintenance of existing fabric is essential.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register	Ausgrid Heritage Register	3430307	01 Nov 94

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Sydney Electricity S170 Heritage and Conservation Register	1994	PMIS 1784	Schwager Brooks and Partners Pty Ltd		No
EnergyAustralia Heritage Register Review	2007		MacLaren North	M North	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Wilkenfeld and Spearitt	2004	Electrifying Sydney

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:	State Government
Database number:	3430307

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