Austinmer Railway Station group

Item details


Name of item:	Austinmer Railway Station group
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.3062663095 Long: 150.9294245520
Primary address:	Railway Avenue, Austinmer, NSW 2515
Local govt. area:	Wollongong City
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Illawarra

Boundary:

Northwest: boundary of RailCorp property fronting Railway Avenue; Northeast: 5m northeast of the platform ends; Southeast: boundary of RailCorp property fronting Gilchrist Street; Southwest: 5m southwest of the Hill Street (Kirton Rd) overbridge, including the overbridge.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
Railway Avenue	Austinmer	Wollongong City	Primary Address
Balfour Road	Austinmer	Wollongong City	Alternate Address
The GR	Austinmer	Wollongong City	Alternate Address
Illawarra railway	Austinmer	Wollongong City	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	21 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Austinmer Railway Station - including its platforms and platform buildings - is of State heritage significance as a rare example of a station with weatherboard platform buildings. Austinmer Railway Station is of historical significance as an early station (1887) on the Illawarra line, as an intact group of railway structures dating from the 1915 duplication of the Illawarra line, for its role in the naming of Austinmer, and as a transport hub for the village of Austinmer since 1887. Austinmer Railway Station is also of historical significance for its role in the development of Austinmer as a tourist resort since the early 20th century. The 1915 platform buildings at Austinmer Railway Station are of aesthetic significance as rare examples of Federation period weatherboard standard railway design platform buildings, and as a grouping of perimeter platforms, platform buildings and road overbridge which form a cohesive railway precinct within a significant landscape setting. The 1915 Hill Street overbridge is of technical significance as a bridge structure of this period with innovative use of concrete.
	Date significance updated: 08 Nov 10
	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 Railway
Builder/Maker:	NSW Government Railway (station), D Proudfoot and T Logan (original single line).
Construction years:	1887-1915
Physical description:	PRECINCT ELEMENTS Platform 1 building (1915) type 11 Platform 2 building (1915) type 11 Platforms (1915) Hill Street overbridge (1915) CONTEXT Austinmer Railway Station is located northeast of the Hill Street overbridge, between Gilchrist Street (southeast) and Railway Avenue (northwest). There are small car parks on both sides of the station. There is no footbridge, and therefore access between the platforms is via the Balfour Road overbridge. The setting of the railway station is heavily vegetated, with many mature trees adjacent to the station, some overhanging the platforms. The Austinmer platform buildings have been recently repainted in a heritage colour scheme (2009). The perimeter of the railway station is fenced with modern powder-coated aluminium pool fencing. PLATFORM 1 BUILDING (1915) Exterior: This is the smaller west platform building. This is a weatherboard single storey building with a gabled corrugated steel roof, cantilevered awning on the platform (east) side on steel brackets mounted on steel posts. The gable ends to north and south have rectangular timber louvred vents. To the south end of the building is a skillion roofed awning, and the south elevation features two ticket windows, one of which has a rare original timber ticket window frame (though a later aluminium ticket window has been installed within and partly overlapping the original frame). The building has timber framed double hung windows, and features timber 4-panel doors with multipaned fanlights with square coloured glass panes. Interior: This building was originally planned with a booking office, general waiting room, ladies room and ladies toilets, with a water tank at the southern end of the building. The building generally has timber weatherboard internal wall linings. The waiting area has a timber tongue & grooved board ceiling, modern steel double security doors, modern timber veneer wall panelling, modern floor tiling, a timber 4-panel internal door. PLATFORM 2 BUILDING (1915) Exterior: This is the larger east platform building. This is a weatherboard single storey building with a corrugated steel gabled roof and a skillion roofed platform awning cantilevered on steel brackets mounted on decorative timber wall brackets. The gable ends to north and south have rectangular timber louvred vents. There is one brick chimney towards the southern end of the roof ridge. The building features large tongue & grooved timber sliding doors at the southern end, facing the platform, timber 4-panel doors with 6-paned fanlights with coloured glass panes. The building has exposed timber rafter ends. Windows are timber framed double hung with 9-paned top sashes with coloured glass panes. Interior (Partially accessed 2009): This building was originally planned with gents and ladies toilets, a general waiting room, booking office and Out-of-room, and water tanks at each end. The waiting area has been modernised, with a modern ceiling and timber veneer panelling. PLATFORMS (1915) Two perimeter platforms with asphalt surfaces. The platforms have brick edges with concrete capping in the central sections, with modern concrete platform extensions to the north ends of both platforms. Access between the platforms is via the Balfour Road overbridge. HILL STREET OVERBRIDGE (1915) A brick arched overbridge at the southern end of the railway station. The bridge has brick abutments and a curved concrete arch. LANDSCAPE/NATURAL FEATURES The station is sited within a leafy environment below the Illawarra escarpment. Large native trees provide an immediate backdrop to the station and the platform buildings. Views of the escarpment are available from the Hill Street overbridge and the station itself.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Platform 1 building (1915): good Platform 2 building (1915): good Platforms (1915): good Hill Street overbridge (1915): good
	Date condition updated:28 May 09
Modifications and dates:	1914-1915: entire station rebuilt 1985: brick platform raised 2008: Platform 1 building- brick chimney collapsed, removed and roof repaired N.d: steel security screens to windows and doors, and modern air-conditioning units to both platform buildings.


Current use:	Railway Station
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm, Railway Station

History

Historical notes:

Wollongong / the Illawarra:
Before European settlement in the Illawarra, the region was home to the local Wodi Wodi Aboriginal people of the Dharawal nation (NPWS, 2005). This Aboriginal community had a well-developed and complex society, and physical and cultural evidence of this remains today in the forms of burials, middens and other sites. The Aboriginal history has also been preserved through traditional knowledge and dreaming stories which have been passed down through the generations (WCC, c2012). Traditional stories tell of their arrival at the mouth of Lake Illawarra in canoes when the Ancestors were animals. They brought the Dharawal or Cabbage tree palm (Livistona australis) with them and are named for this sacred tree (NPWS, 2005).

Aboriginal communities first encountered Europeans in 1796.

Red cedar (Toona ciliata) timber-getters operated in Illawarra escarpment (rain)forests as the first 'settler' industry in the area from the 1810s.

Dr Charles Throsby used the coastal Illawarra grasslands as cattle fodder in 1815 opening the area to European settlement. He focussed his herd behind the fresh water lagoon then situated at the junction of the current day Harbour and Smith Streets where he built a stockman's hut and cattle yards (DeTom Design, 2011, 17-18) and this was a meeting point for the first Illawarra land grantees in 1816 (WCC, c.2012).

The first settlement in the area now known as Wollongong was by Charles Throsby Smith, nephew of Throsby. He was one of the first to receive a land grant in the district and in 1822 was the first to settle on his 300 acre parcel. Smith's barn, located near Wollongong harbour, became the first school house in 1826 and then church building in 1828.

A military presence was established in the area now known as Port Kembla in 1826. They were relocated to the area now known as Wollongong in 1830. They were replaced by a local magistrate in 1833. This activity was focussed around the harbour. In 1833 the area's first school was established (ibid, 2011, 17-18).

In 1834 land owner Charles Throsby Smith (nephew of Dr. Charles Throsby)'s land was nominated as the site for the township to be known as Wollongong (ibid, 2011, 17-18).

In 1834 Surveyor General Major Thomas Mitchell surveyed the town with the centrepiece of land devoted to the Church of England. As there was no crown land, Thosby-Smith sold his land to the Government and it was transferred to the church. The surveyed town was bounded by streets to be known as Harbour, Keira, Smith and Crown Streets (ibid, 2011, 18). The original township was bounded by Crown, Keira, Smith and Harbour Streets which remain major streets in Wollongong today (WCC, c2012).

The Illawarra District Council was formed in 1843. In 1859, two municipal councils were formed: Municipality of Wollongong which was proclaimed on 22 February, and Central Illawarra Municipality which was formed on 19 August 1859 (this took in the area from Unanderra to Macquarie Rivulet). North Illawarra Municipality was formed on 26 October 1868 and included the area from Fairy Creek to Bellambi. In 1947 The City of Greater Wollongong was formed by the amalgamation of the City of Wollongong, the Shires of Bulli and Central Illawarra and the Municipality of North Illawarra, under the Local Government Act, 1919 in the NSW Government Gazette 104 of 12 September 1947.

1880s expansion and the Illawarra Railway Line:
Wollongong expanded in the 1880s and the railway which finally linked the area to Sydney, encouraged movement away from Mitchell's plan. The relative isolation of the Illawarra ended in 1888 when the railway was finally introduced to link the area to Sydney. The town was transformed from a focus on the wharves to one on the railway and began to expand away from St.Michael's central position. The rail allowed the area to ship milk, coal and coke to Sydney city, expanding Wollongong city's potential enormously. By the turn of the century a smelting works and number of coke oven batteries were opened and the town's population rose from 1635 in 1881 to 3545 in 1901 (an average growth rate of 3.9%)(McDonald, 1989, in Davies, 2003, 14).

Austinmer:
The name Austinmer came into official being in 1895. Originally this area was called Sidmouth. It was called Sidmouth after the name of the house built there by Robert Marsh Westmacott 1837. Sidmouth was the name of Robert Marsh Westmacott's hometown, in Devon, on the Channel coast of England. By the 1860's a small rural settlement had developed in the area and was called North Bulli. The name changed to Austermere with the opening of the North Illawarra Coal Company's mine. As Sir John Leckey's estate at Moss Vale was also known by this name, the spelling Austinmere was adopted by the local newspapers in 1887. The name is linked to Henry Austin, one of the three Directors of the Board of the Illawarra Mining Company. When the railway platform was built in September 1887 the name Austinmer was placed upon it, omitting the final 'e'.

The station opened as a single line waiting station with an unattended single platform on the isolated Scarborough (Clifton) to Wollongong line in 1887 due to the difficulty being experienced in linking up with the Sydney to Waterfall section of the line. The connection was finally achieved with the single line to Waterfall being opened on 3rd October 1888.

In November 1887, the year the station was built, the "Township of Austinmer" estate, a subdivision of a portion of the property of the North Illawarra Coal Coy., at North Bulli, Parish of Southend, County of Cumberland, was advertised for sale. Further subdivisions took place in 1906 (Kennedy's Estate, Austinmer), in 1913 The Very Cream of Austinmer 2nd subdivision advertised as "Fronting the ocean, close to the railway station"; and in 1914 Austinmer 3rd subdivision, was similarly advertised. Austinmer became known in the early 20th century as a fashionable holiday resort, the "Brighton of New South Wales".

The line was duplicated to Austinmer in 1915, resulting in the construction of the existing standard design timber buildings on each platform connected by a steel framed overbridge. The works included the construction of the concrete arch overbridge for road traffic and the closure of the goods siding. In 1917, as part of the new Thirroul yard, the goods siding was transferred to the Nowra side of the overbridge that replaced the original level crossing at the Sydney end.

The line was electrified in 1988.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Modification of terrain-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances.	coal transport and handling-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building and maintaining the public railway system-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Development in response to railway lines-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Austinmer Railway Station is of historical significance as an early station on the Illawarra line (1887), for its role in the naming of Austinmer, and as a transport hub for the village of Austinmer since 1887, though there are no physical remains from this period. Austinmer Railway Station is of historical significance as an intact group of railway structures dating from the 1915 duplication of the Illawarra line, and for its role in the development of Austinmer as a tourist resort since the early 20th century.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The 1915 platform buildings at Austinmer Railway Station are of State aesthetic significance as rare examples of Federation period weatherboard standard platform buildings, and as a grouping of perimeter platforms and platform buildings and overbridge which form a cohesive railway precinct within a significant landscape setting. The 1915 Hill Street overbridge is of technical significance as a bridge structure of this period with innovative use of concrete.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The place has the potential to contribute to the local community's sense of place, and can provide a connection to the local community's past.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Austinmer is rare as one of only four stations on the Illawarra Line (Austinmer, Oatley, Penshurst and Thirroul) with weatherboard platform buildings, and (with Penshurst) has the most intact examples.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Austinmer Railway Station is representative as a Federation period rural railway station, with weatherboard platform buildings, externally intact. The railway stations at Austinmer, Penshurst, Oatley and Thirroul on the Illawarra line have examples of this type of weatherboard platform building, with those at Austinmer and Penshurst being the most intact of these.
Integrity/Intactness:	The platform buildings are externally intact, though altered internally. They have integrity as a pair of platform buildings from the 1915 reconstruction of the station.
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:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) OF THE HERITAGE ACT 1977 Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977. I, the Hon James Griffin MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales do by this Order, effective at the time of publication in the New South Wales Government Gazette: 1. revoke the order made on 9 November 2020 and published in the Government Gazette Number 318 of 13 November 2020; and 2. grant the exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 that are described in the attached Schedule. The Hon James Griffin MP Minister for Environment and Heritage Signed this 2nd day of June 2022. To view the standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 click on the link below.	Jun 17 2022

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	01077	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan		07 Jan 00
National Trust of Australia register	508	27 Jul 93
Register of the National Estate - Interim	101151

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Heritage Expess Tours	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Heritage Express Tours	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Austinmer Railway Station group	View detail
Written	National Parks & Wildlife Service	2005	Aboriginal Illawarra
Written	Office of Railway Heritage	2012	Railway garden and landscape conservation guide
Written	Paul Davies P/L	2003	Conservation Management Plan, St Michael's Cathedral Wollongong
Written	Wollongong City Council (in association with Wollongong Heritage Committee)	2012	Wollongong City Centre Heritage Trail (brochure)

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:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5011943
File number:	H07/00141/1

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