Substation (under consideration: amendment)

Item details


Name of item:	Substation (under consideration: amendment)
Other name/s:	#15009 Manly 33Kv Zone (Substation) / Residential Unit
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Electricity
Category:	Electricity Transformer/Substation
Location:	Lat: -33.7959800262 Long: 151.2859971740
Primary address:	34a-36 Whistler Street, Manly, NSW 2095
Parish:	Manly Cove
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Northern Beaches
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	2		DP	803273

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
34a-36 Whistler Street	Manly	Northern Beaches	Manly Cove	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

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

Statement of significance:


	The Manly Zone substation is a fine and robust, well detailed face brick purpose designed and built structure. It is an excellent and externally intact representative example of the Interwar Art Deco style. It is considered to be a rare example of this style and of State Significance.
	Date significance updated: 08 Nov 00
	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:	1945-
Physical description:	The Manly Zone substation is a fine and robust, well detailed face brick two storey building built on the street alignment. Stylistic elements of Interwar Art Deco include the extensive use of face brick and brick detailing in the stepped parapet and base of the projecting first floor oriel windows and the use of bold linear motifs. Decorative elements include the use of curved bricks to form unusual framing around windows and doorways. The building incorporates a residential unit titled #15101 RESIDENTIAL UNIT, 34a Whistler Street. The Manly Zone substation is construced in load-bearing face brick with cement render applied to the plant doorway reveals. Original windows are double hung timber multi pane. Architectural style: Interwar Art Deco Exterior materials: Face brick, Timber Joinery, Steel Roller shutter (Schwager Brooks 1994: volume 2, 45, 46 (photo)).
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Good.
	Date condition updated:08 Nov 00
Modifications and dates:	Aluminium windows and doors installed at ground level (Schwager Brooks 1994: 45)


Current use:	electricity substation
Former use:	Aboriginal land

History

Historical notes:

Statement of Country:

Manly:

Electrifying Manly:
Electricity supply is a more modern development (in North Sydney, compared to gas - supply for domestic purposes was extended to the North Shore by a cable under Sydney Harbour in 1915). Supply was provided and managed as a separate authority, the Sydney County Council (SCC)(in 1935, after introduction of the Local Government Act of 1919) until taken over by the Electricity Commission in 1952/53 (Godden Mackay 1992, 76) and the substation buildings erected in 1915 are still in use (Crows Nest and Cammeray) (Goddon Mackay 2013, volume 1: 84, 279).

The Municipal Council of Sydney (MCS) originally (from 1904) supplied electricity to retail customers around the inner city, inner west and lower North Shore and provided bulk power to outer western and northern suburbs such as Penrith, Hornsby and Manly. Mackellar County Council (MCC) was established in 1951 through amalgamation of Manly and Warringah Shire Council electricity undertakings. Manly Council's electricity undertaking stated in 1920, supplying 890 customers, which increased to 11,342 by 1951. Among Manly Electric Supply Company Assets MCC acquired was the Zone substation at Whistler Street, Manly. This is still in service, but has had its electrical gear replaced several times. Prior to 1951, both municipalities received bulk power supply from MCS, supplied to Warringah via its Zone substation at Balgowlah and Manly via its Whistler St. Zone substation. Bulk supply was provided by Elcom from 1/7/1952, via a diesel powerhouse at Brookvale. Elcom took control of Balgowlah Zone substation in 1953 but it was re-acquired by MCC in 1955 and voltage standardized at 33kV. (Futurepast Heritage Consulting 2011: 12-14).

The Manly Zone substation is a purpose designed and built structure constructed c1945. "MANLY ZONE SUBSTATION" appears on the faade in metal lettering. The 'RESIDENTIAL UNIT' no 34a is located within the same building. Its property number is 7007.
Historical period: 1926-1950. (Schwager Brooks 1994: volume 2, 41)

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	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 - providing 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-
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.	Architectural styles and periods - Interwar Art Deco-
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]	historic
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	associative
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	aesthetic
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	rare
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	representative
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:


	A Conservation Plan should identify changes that will not adversely affect significance before any works are planned. External character should be conserved. Internal changes may be acceptable. Continuing care and maintenance are essential (Schwager Brooks 1994: 45)

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		00938	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan	Electricity Substation No. 15009	I255	05 Apr 13

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Sydney Electricity S170 Heritage & Conservation Register	1994	3019 / 7007 (volume 2 of study)	Schwager Brooks & Partners Pty Ltd	Graham Brooks	No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Futurepast Heritage Consulting	2011	Balgowlah Zone Substation, 83 Griffiths Street, Balgowlah, Conservation Management Plan - Final 7/2011	View detail
Written	Mackenzie, Julie	1998	The Fate of Electrical Substations of Heritage Significance

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:	5011949
File number:	S97/00023/1

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