Substation

Item details


Name of item:	Substation
Other name/s:	Pymble Zone Substation No. 195; #195 Pymble 33KV Zone / Depot
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Electricity
Category:	Electricity Transformer/Substation
Location:	Lat: -33.7488927961 Long: 151.1450387080
Primary address:	982-984 Pacific Highway, Pymble, NSW 2073
Parish:	Gordon
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Ku-Ring-Gai
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	119476
LOT	1		DP	441760

Boundary:

The curtilage of the listing comprises the entirety of Lot 1 / DP 119476 and Lot 1 / DP 441760 and the boundary is the boundary of those two lots.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
982-984 Pacific Highway	Pymble	Ku-Ring-Gai	Gordon	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Ausgrid	State Government	21 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Substation, Pymble, has State historic and technical values as evidence of the rapid expansion of Sydney’s high voltage electricity network in the 1920s, undertaken to meet the growing energy demands of Sydney. The item has historic values as one of the earliest zone substations built on the north shore by the Municipal Council of Sydney, then the largest electricity infrastructure provider in NSW. It demonstrates the development of the electricity network across Sydney and NSW through individual contractual arrangements between local councils and electricity providers, rather than through a centralised authority. Substation, Pymble, is technically significant as a demonstration of early zone substation operation within the rapidly expanding metropolitan electricity network. It was constructed to support electricity supply to Sydney’s northern suburbs and provided an interconnection with the newly constructed Bunnerong Power Station.
	Date significance updated: 22 May 26
	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:	City Building Surveyor's Dept. (Robert Hargreave Brodrick, James Henry Merriman)
Builder/Maker:	Municipal Council of Sydney, City Building Constructor's branch
Construction years:	1928-
Physical description:	Substation, (Pymble is a large Interwar Stripped Classical brick building and surrounding land which includes a driveway, carpark and modern office building as well as a narrow strip of revegetated land extending to the south east. EXTERIOR Substation, Pymble, is a large and elegant parapeted one- and two-storey brick building in a 'step-down' design, with roofs of varying heights, round headed arched windows and contrasting lintel pediments.. Despite window arrangements suggesting multiple storeys, there are no internal floors. Instead, the two-storey height front section accommodated an overhead travelling crane to handle transformers. The double-height front section is approximately 11.5m tall, and the remaining portions of building are approximately 7.6m in height. It is primarily constructed in load-bearing face brick with externally expressed engaged piers. The windows are of brick arch construction. It's exterior is a refined and intact example of the Interwar Stripped Classical style, and features the characteristic vertical emphasis, decorative classical cornice, and groupings of multi-paned windows. The substation is primarily constructed in load-bearing face brick with externally expressed engaged piers. The windows are of brick arch construction. Stylistic elements include recessed faade panels incorporating corbelled brickwork near the base and parapet levels, and decorative elements including blonde brick with contrasting brickwork around the windows and parapet, and cement-rendered lintel pediments. Despite window arrangements suggesting multiple floors, there are no internal floors. Instead, the two-storey height accommodates a crane. Two large entrances with roller shutter doors provide access. The substation's name is recorded in relief on the entablature over the roller door: 'SMC ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT SUBSTATION NO.195'. The year of construction '1928' is in relief on the pediment over the smaller roller door in the one-storey section. (Schwager Brooks 1994, volume 1: 3; North 2007). The building is very similar to Balgowlah Zone Substation (No. 15009) and Randwick Zone Substation (No. 341, Canberra Street/Bundock Lane) The design was almost identical to Balgowlah Zone Substation, with a (double-height) front section (incorporating a handling bay with overhead travelling crane) about 11.5m tall, with the remaining portions of building not exceeding 7.6m in height. (Pennington 2024: 48). The building is well documented through surviving construction drawings (Ausgrid 2026) Connection: In mid-1926, around 115km of belted 33kV cable was installed to replace overhead line feeders and connect new substations. A small quantity of the cable was used for important 11kV feeders in the Pymble and Waverley areas (Pennington 2011: 41). The rear section of the substation is single-storey closest to the road, but as the block slopes downwards it is two storeys at the furthest from the road. There are four roofless transformer and regulator bays in the upper floor of the back section (one of which is an addition from the 1960s). Underneath is open storage and an entry way. The building is flanked by a driveway leading to a rear, concreted yard. 2007: The transformer roadway was rebuilt. Roller doors were replaced. Windows were altered at the side and front (s.170 register, 2012). INTERIOR The interior of the building is also relatively intact. Handling Bay: The majority of the internal space within the building is the handling bay. This large space is two storeys high at the front, with an overhead travelling crane above. Switchroom: The main interior space apart from the Handling Bay is the large Switch Room. The enclosed switch room is to the right (from the road). It houses the current switchgear. Within the switch room is an interior control room, this was a later addition to the internal layout. MV switchgear was installed at Pyrmont and Bunnerong Power Stations, and Crows Nest substation (Pennington 2011: 129). Type K2 circuit-breakers were installed initially as the 'standard' 5.5kV or 11kV switchgear in the first new zone substations (Mosman, Crow's Nest, Zetland, Balgowlah and Pymble) that formed part of network expansion in the mid-late 1920s. At Pymble, several K2 circuit-breakers controlled overhead 11kV feeders. In 1932, BBC motor-operated automatic-reclosing devices were fitted to four feeder panels to improve reliability of supply (Pennington 2011: 138). 1948: the K4 switchgear was removed. A third transformer had already been installed as a tail-ended unit. The switchgear was disconnected and the first two transformers made tail-ended onto existing feeders from Chatswood and Crow's Nest (Pennington 2011: 163). By the mid-1950s, existing substations including Pymble had been partially or fully converted to tail-ended transformer operation (Pennington 2011: 85). 1960s: a control room was constructed inside the switch room, occupying space formerly housing the 33kV switchboard. (Pennington 2012: 84). 1964: the K2 switchgear was replaced by new WR HQ-J18 switchgear (Pennington 2011: 167). NON SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES There is a modern office building behind the 1928 substation building which does not contribute to its significance. It is a low rise single storey building which does not visually impact the values of the 1928 substation. SURROUND LAND The land surrounding the substations comprises a driveway on either side, a carpark between the 1928 building and the non-significant modern building and a narrow strip of revegetated land extending to the south east.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Good. Minor repairs required to brickwork, but generally good (s.170 register, 2012).
	Date condition updated:08 Nov 00
Modifications and dates:	1960s: a control room was constructed inside the switch room, occupying space formerly housing the 33kV switchboard. . A fourth transformer bay was added in the 1960s. It continues to operate as an electricity distribution substation. 1960s: building at the rear was constructed. It has been through extensive interior modification. 1990s: a fire led to internal modifications. 2007: The transformer roadway was rebuilt. Roller doors were replaced. Window was altered at the side.


Current use:	electrical substation
Former use:	Aboriginal land, timber getting, farm

History

Historical notes:

Statement of Country:
Pymble is in Darramurragal Country, the Country of the Darra murra gal or Tarra-merragal clan of the Eora nation (Attenbrow 2009). The environment of the Ku-ring-gai local government area provided plentiful resources for food, shelter, and tools, and to support trade, customs, and ceremonies over tens of thousands of years (HeriCon Consulting 2023).

The Darramurragal) would have suffered catastrophic loss of life in the smallpox epidemic in 1789, with a death rate estimated of 50 to 90 %. Over the following century there were numerous documentary recordings of movements of people within the locality, attending gatherings and collecting European rations such as blankets. There are oral history accounts of small clans travelling the district in the late nineteenth century. Aboriginal people continue to live in the area as part of the broader Aboriginal community of the greater Sydney region.

EARLY ELECTRICITY NETWORKS IN NSW
Prior to introducing electricity in NSW, streets were lit with gas and houses used gas, kerosene and fat-oil lamps, and candles. Technological advances in the 1870s and 1880s made electricity production a feasible lighting and power alternative to gas and steam. Early supply was from small generators and early providers of electricity networks were principally municipal Councils.

The first instance of NSW's municipal electric power supply was streetlighting pioneered in regional centres experiencing major growth in the 1880s. Tamworth was first town in 1888, after the 1878 rail connection to Sydney accelerated the grain and wool trade. Young, a town which grew after a gold rush into a larger stable agricultural centre, received electric streetlighting soon after in 1889. (Penrith City Council 2021).

ELECTRIFICATION OF SYDNEY
Sydney's first public demonstration of electric light was in 1863 when it was illuminated in honour of the Prince of Wales's marriage (Australian Energy Regulator 2007, p. 2). Early supply was from small generators throughout the city for specific buildings or events.

Large-scale production was in its infancy in NSW in the 1890s, and the number of electrical works was relatively insignificant compared to municipal gas works established in that decade. Local municipalities pushed for legislation allowing them to generate electricity, build infrastructure, light streets, and supply public and private places. Sydney's first council to generate and supply electricity to private homes, businesses and streets was Penrith in 1890, from their electric light station (now demolished) (Nepean Times 1957: 1). Another one was built closer to the city at Redfern in 1891, which remains (now adaptively reused).

By far the biggest municipality was the Municipal Council of Sydney (MCS) which got State government consent to establish its own networks and supply private clients under the Municipal Council of Sydney Electric Lighting Act 1896. Its Electric Lighting Committee was established in 1898 to bring the network to the MCS area, reaching from Millers Point to Chippendale, Surry Hills, and Moore Park (City of Sydney n.d.). While originally supplying the MCS area only, it soon became the biggest municipal supplier of electricity in NSW .

Sydney's first major central power station was Ultimo Powerhouse (listed on the NSW State Heritage Register (SHR) as part of the Powerhouse Museum Complex, SHR 02045), built in 1899 by the NSW Department of Public Works to power the electric tram network. Construction of White Bay Powerhouse followed in 1913 (Dunn 2008).

MCS's first power station supplying streetlights and private use was at Pyrmont, opened in 1904. While the earlier 'electric light stations' were small power stations supplying a small area, large power stations required the technological development of several types of substations to convert electricity to lower voltages for private use. Substations were designed to house voltage transformers and other bulky equipment, such as AC to DC convertors, switchgear, and batteries. Two types emerged, the zone and distribution substation. Zone substations were large complex facilities receiving power from bulk supply power stations such as Pyrmont and reducing voltage for local distribution. Distribution substations reduced voltage further and supplied customers.

City Building Surveyor and City Architect Robert Hargreave Brodrick designed Pyrmont Power Station, and his branch designed substations. These were to be substantial, ornamental pieces of civic infrastructure (Vade Mecum 1906: 200). The quality of design and construction was high, moving beyond functionality to fine civic architecture that sat comfortably in its surrounds. Land for them was either purchased in negotiation with owners, or MCS could resume land if necessary. All stand alone substations until 1936 were designed by MCS's City Architect & Building Surveyor and built by various parties.

In 1904 MCS built its first six distribution substations: Town Hall (Sydney), Lang Park (Sydney), Athlone Place (Ultimo), Pyrmont St (Pyrmont), Oxford St (Darlinghurst), and Wilson St (Woolloomooloo). None remain in use, and four (Town Hall, Lang Park, Athlone Place and Pyrmont St) have been demolished. Oxford St is listed as Taylor Square Substation No.6 & Underground Public Conveniences, Darlinghurst on the State Heritage Register (SHR 01700) and Wilson St is used as a private residence.

MCS first began supplying other areas of Sydney in 1905. A small substation was built to supply a wing of the Royal Hospital for Women in Paddington and another for Camperdown Children's Hospital (Murray 2025).

Smaller private companies supplying city businesses were bought by MCS from 1907-13. MCS quickly established itself as one of two primary suppliers of electricity in Sydney, the other being the Electric Light and Power Supply Corporation (ELPSC) which supplied electricity from Balmain Power Station to the inner western suburbs of Sydney from 1909 to 1956.

In 1910, four municipalities entered agreements with MCS for extension of mains into their areas, marking a rapid escalation to the extent of the electricity network in Sydney.

By 1914 MCS supplied 23 municipalities outside the city, in the largest electricity network in NSW. However, the rapid network expansion in the 1920s was on a scale unprecedented in Sydney or the State and this continual expansion required additional infrastructure throughout Greater Sydney. This means that a significant portion of MCS's substations were built from 1921 onwards.

By 1935, 16 Local Government Areas were supplied by MCS over 747 square miles (193,472 Ha). Network control was removed from the MCS via the Gas and Electricity Act 1935, reconstituting its Electricity Department as independent entity, the Sydney County Council (SCC).

The NSW Electricity Commission (Elcom) became overall State authority providing electricity in NSW from 1952, and SCC generating assets were transferred to it that. Elcom controlled NSW's electricity until dissolved with the Sydney Electricity Act 1990. A series of private and public entities now provide electricity and its infrastructure in Sydney, overseen by the NSW Government. Ausgrid now owns most distribution substations and zone substations (excluding the high-voltage transmission network).

PYMBLE:
Robert Pymble was granted 600 acres in (later) Gordon in 1823. Unlike many, he became a resident and pioneer, establishing an orchard and timber business. Other orchards were established by the 1850s. Timber was extracted until c1840 (Tropman & Tropman 2002: 7; Godden Mackay Logan 2002: 109).

In 1882, the district began expanding to accommodate upper class dwellers from the city. The projected North Shore railway (open to Hornsby in 1890, crossing Pymble's estate) was a powerful incentive. In 1883 Pymble sold 100 acres (Tropman & Tropman 2002: 7). It became more accessible with the North Shore Railway from 1890.

Pymble increased in popularity in the 1920s (Pollon & Healy 1988: 211, 212) and the railway electrified in 1928. Opening Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 led to a major shift of elite to the North Shore, particularly Ku-ring-gai. (Paul Davies 2010: 5, 6)

PYMBLE ELECTRIFICATION::
MCS built Bunnerong Power Station (Botany) 1925 - 29, aiming at capacity of 300MW, increased capacity to supply outer suburbs such as Pymble. It was a major achievement: Australia's most modern and equal largest power station (with White Bay) coud supply a third of NSW's electricity.

The zone substations built in the North Shore like Pymble, demonstrate MCS's rapid network expansion once Bunnerong was identified as able to supply these areas. Pymble was to be one of five 30 kV zone substations established in conjunction with this massive network expansion (with Chatswood (1923), Crow's Nest (1927), Mosman, and Balgowlah) and a key component in distributing power to North Shore suburbs.

Plans for Pymble began in 1926, with a temporary substation (two timber framed galvanised iron sheds) built to help provide power during winter 1927.

The permanent substation, No.195 was built in 1928. It was designed using the "Marrickville Substation" design template. This one of three standardised designs developed by MCS to tackle rising construction costs in the late 1920s (Vade Mecum 1930: 249-253) to meet certain conditions, such as locality, area of land'. Pymble's has the same floor plan and profile as Marricivlle's, with a stepped-down profile, two- and one-storey elements. Its two-storey height accommodated an overhead travelling crane to handle transformers. Balgowlah (1928) and Randwick (1930) Zone substations also demonstrate this. Waverley Zone Substation (1930) is its mirror image.

By August 1928 it was complete enough to equip. Switching apparatus was installed and tested by late 1928. The new 30kV substation was commissioned by 1929, with 10,000 KVA rating.

By 1930 there were thirteen 30kV network substations, each named after their locality. (Vade Mecum 1930: 247).

Some equipment upgrade was undertaken in the 1960s, including constructing a control room inside its switch room which occupied the space formerly housing the 33kV switchboard (Pennington, 2012), adding a fourth transformer bay and a building at the rear of the substation.

A fire in the 1990s led to further internal modifications (predominantly with fixtures and equipment but the exterior is highly intact. The roller doors have been replaced and Pymble now operates as a distribution substation.

October 2024 photographs in Google Street Map show a 'For Lease' sign out front, however Ausgrid signage remains on the one-storey section of the original building, and there also appears to be other Ausgrid infrastructure at the rear (Murray 2025).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
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	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Technologies for electrical supply-
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	Developing suburbia-
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	20th Century infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Providing electricity-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Distributing electricity-
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-
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 - providing electricity-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Substation, Pymble, has State historic significance for its role in the early development and expansion of the electricity supply network in NSW. The substation provides tangible evidence of how the expansion of the electricity network across Sydney and NSW occurred through provider-led initiatives rather than through a centralised State authority. During this period, the Municipal Council of Sydney was the dominant electricity provider in Sydney, supplying power beyond its municipal boundaries. Built at the height of a period of significant growth in electricity infrastructure in NSW, Substation, Pymble, represents a major expansion of Sydney’s electricity network. This expansion was driven by the broader need to establish and extend the electricity grid across the metropolitan area. It reflects Municipal Council of Sydney’s shift towards strategic network planning rather than responding to requests for power for individual suburbs. Improved access to electricity supported development across Sydney’s upper north shore by enabling increased residential, commercial and industrial activity, fostering interconnection, and extending the metropolitan reach of NSW’s capital. Its historic significance rests primarily in its form, fabric and historical associations.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Substation, Pymble, has technical significance as an intact high voltage zone substation that has been operational from 1928, among the first zone substations built to receive power via interconnection with the newly constructed Bunnerong Power Station. Substation, Pymble, was an important interconnection within Sydney’s electricity network, converting high voltage power to a lower voltage to be distributedto a large area of Sydney. As an early example of this substation type, it reflects the technical characteristics of high voltage substations established during the interwar period to support the expanding metropolitan network in response to the demand in NSW. The 33kV high voltage network from Bunnerong required new types of zone substations to handle the enormous amounts of power being distributed. Substation, Pymble, is a highly intact “Marrickville” type substation, a standardised design which was created to facilitate the unprecedented rapid expansion of the largest electricity network in NSW. The features it retains (including the overhead crane and roofed in exterior bays) reflect the technical characteristics of high voltage substations established during the interwar period to support the expanding metropolitan network in response to demand.
Integrity/Intactness:	High.
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.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT, 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) ENERGYAUSTRALIA - SITE SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS I, the Minister for Planning, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, in pursuance of section 57(2) of the Heritage Act, 1977, do, by this my order (a) under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act grant exemption from Heritage Council approval under Section 57(1) of the Heritage Act, as outlined in Schedule A, for the following activities described in 1-15 below, subject to review and approval by a person with demonstrated heritage expertise and experience in similar buildings and sites. 1. Replacement of corrugated asbestos roofing systems, box gutters and eaves with corrugated metal roofing system which maintains the general profile of the building roof and does not require replacement of structural fabric of the roof and retains any decorative features of the original roof design (e.g. exposed eaves, decorative soffits or barge boards). The choice of roofing material should not preclude the reinstatement of the original form of rainwater goods. 2. Replacement of non-original switchgear and associated internal building rearrangements to accommodate new switchgear, which does not require the significant removal of building fabric. 3. Replacement of non-original internal and external transformers. 4. Internal installation of fire mitigation apparatus and mechanisms including fire curtains, sheeting of structural members to improve fire rating and replacement of internal fire doors with asbestos cores. 5. Minor works necessary to preserve and enhance the security of the building including the replacement of locks, installation of internal security screens and grilles and the installation of electronic access control devices. 6. Maintenance and minor repairs that are necessary to preserve and maintain the building and are within the limits of the standard exemptions of the Heritage Act. 7. Excavations and reinstatement associated with installation or replacement of conduits, cables, services and pipes, where this will occur within existing cable egress areas or existing cable jointing areas and there are no known or suspected archaeological relics. 8. Minor works internal to the building including: a) Replacement of Customer Load Control Equipment. b) Upgrade of non-original toilet / washroom facilities. c) Upgrade of control room equipment. d) Refurbishment of battery rooms. e) The removal of asbestos materials such as interior and external sheet linings, fire proofing, troughing, conduits, window sealant, asbestos fire doors etc. f) The removal of devices and equipment containing mercury or other heavy metals. g) Removal of lead-based paint and reinstatement with the original paint scheme. h) Replacement of non-original lighting fixtures, including electrical controls where they are required for security or safety. 9. Minor internal works necessary to upgrade and enhance the structural integrity of the building which do not impact on the heritage significance of the building including: a) The internal fitting of improved handrails and or stairs to access higher stories for the reason of safe access. b) The upgrade of non-original internal lifting / crane equipment in loading docks specifically required for manual handling of equipment to meet WorkCover requirements. 10. Temporary works including containment areas, scaffolding and enclosures necessary for the carrying out of maintenance, enhancement or upgrading works. 11. Installation of safety or information signs, not being for commercial or advertising purposes. 12. Maintenance and painting of finished building surfaces where colour of finish is matched to the original colour. 13. Decommissioning of a substation and removal of non-original equipment. 14. Installation of oil containment systems in order to meet NSW EPA Pollution Licence requirements, in the following circumstances: a) Masonry or concrete bunding around transformers and within existing transformer bays. b) Underground oil containment works or systems in areas where there are no known or suspected archaeological relics. 15. Ventilation and air conditioning works limited to: a) Replacement of existing external vents and louvres in a style consistent with the external appearance of the building. b) Replacement of non-mechanical rooftop ventilators in a style consistent with the form, scale and position of existing ventilators. c) Internal air conditioning systems with no externally visible components and which do not require the removal of original building fabric. KRISTINA KENEALLY, M.P., Minister for Planning Sydney, 5 Day of May 2009 SCHEDULE A Item State Heritage Register Listing Number Electricity Power House, Crows Nest SHR 00931 Relay Test Centre, Haberfield SHR 00933 Substation, Ultimo SHR 00934 Substation, Randwick SHR 00935 Substation, Balgowlah SHR 00936 Substation, Manly SHR 00938 Substation, Paddington SHR 00939 Substation, Pymble SHR 00940 Substation, Annandale SHR 00941 Electricity Substation No 167, Auburn SHR 01790 Electricity Substation No 269, Bondi SHR 01791 Electricity Substation No 349, Randwick SHR 01792	May 15 2009
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

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 Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00940	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan	Substation	I598

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
EnergyAustralia Heritage Register Review	2007	PMIS 1672 (NB: updated 7/9/2012)	MacLaren North	Mac North	No
Sydney Electricity S170 Heritage & Conservation Register	1994	3467; 2551/2552 (volume 1)	Schwager Brooks & Partners Pty Ltd	Graham Brooks	No
Ku-ring-gai Potential Heritage Conservation Areas North Review, 11/2010	2010		Paul Davies P/L	Paul Davies	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Attenbrow, Val	2009	'Clan Names Chart'	View detail
Written	Ausgrid	2026	Ausgrid Substation Histories - history and development of noted substations (including Pymble's)
Written	Extent Heritage	2017	Randwick Zone Substation (No. 341) Conservation Management Plan Update
Written	FuturePast Heritage Consulting	2011	Balgowlah Zone Substation, 83 Griffiths Street, Balgowlah - Conservation Management Plan, Final, 7/2011	View detail
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2002	Ku-ring-gai Urban Conservation Area Study - stage 2 and 2(a)	View detail
Written	HeriCon Consulting P/L	2023	Assessment of heritage significance - 17A Edward Street, Gordon (Denholm)
Written	Ku-Ring-Gai Historical Society	1996	Focus on Ku-Ring-Gai
Written	Mackenzie, Julie	1998	The Fate of Electrical Substations of Heritage Significance
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney	1935	Electricity Department Annual Reports, 1924-1935	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney	1930	Vade Mecum 1930 (City of Sydney Yearbook 1930)	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney	1928	Plan - Sydney Municipal Council Electricity Substation Number 195, Pacific Highway, Pymble, 1928	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney	1927	Vade Mecum 1927 (City of Sydney Yearbook 1927)	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney	1906	Vade Mecum 1906 (City of Sydney Yearbook 1906) Sydney Municipal Council, Vade Mecum 1906,	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney (now City of Sydney)	1928	Plan - Sydney Municipal Council Electricity Substation Number 195 - Pacific Highway Pymble, 1928	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney (now City of Sydney)	1928	Plan - Sydney Municipal Council Electricity Substation Number 195, Pacific Highway Pymble, 1928	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney (now City of Sydney)	1928	Plan - Sydney Municipal Council Electricity Substation Number 195, Pacific Highway Pymble, 1928	View detail
Written	Municipal Council of Sydney (now City of Sydney)	1928	Plan - Sydney Municipal Council Electricity Substation Number 195, Pacific Highway Pymble, 1928	View detail
Written	Murray, Lisa	2013	‘Civic Spaces and the City Architect’
Written	Pennington, James	2024	More Sydney electricity supply history
Written	Pennington, James	2012	Electricity Substations of the Sydney Municipal Council and other local authorities
Written	Penrith City Council	2021	'150 Years of Penrith City Council'	View detail
Written	Pollon, Francis (ed.) and Healy, Gerald	1988	Pymble (entry)
Written	Sproule, John	1997	How Electricity Came to Sydney's Northern Suburbs
Written	The Nepean Times	1957	'Future of Electricity Service in Penrith - the proposed new County Councils'	View detail
Written	Tropman & Tropman Architects	2002	Heritage Assessment - Coppins Villa Estate, 23-29 Telegraph Road., Pymble: heritage assessment	View detail
Written	unattributed	1926	"POWER CABLES. In Northern Suburbs. Future Needs"	View detail
Written	unattributed (EnergyAustralia)		Glass Plate Negatives - Substation 195 - Pymble - c.1930s (external front and side elevations)	View detail
Written	unattributed (EnergyAustralia)		Glass Plate Negatives - Substation 195 - Pymble - c.1930s (external front elevation)	View detail
Written	unattributed (EnergyAustralia)		Glass Plate Negatives - Substation 195 - Pymble - c.1930s (external rear elevation)	View detail
Written	unattributed (EnergyAustralia)		Glass Plate Negatives - Substation 195 - Pymble - c.1930s (internal switch room?)	View detail
Written	unattributed (EnergyAustralia)		Glass Plate Negatives - Substation 195 - Pymble - c.1930s (external front elevation, furthre back, portrait orientation)	View detail
Written	unattributed (Municipal Council of Sydney, Aldermanic Photographs 1877-1992	1913	Portrait of R.H. Brodrick, 1913	View detail
Written	Wilkenfeld, George and Spearitt, Peter	2004	Electrifying Sydney: 100 years of EnergyAustralia

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

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5011946
File number:	S97/00023/1

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.