Demondrille Junction railway ruins and signal box

Item details

Name of item: Demondrille Junction railway ruins and signal box
Type of item: Complex / Group
Group/Collection: Transport - Rail
Category: Railway Machinery & Objects
Location: Lat: -34.5348241023 Long: 148.3223845310
Primary address: Main Southern railway, Murrumburrah, NSW 2587
Local govt. area: Hilltops
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Young
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Main Southern railwayMurrumburrahHilltops  Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Australian Rail and Track Corporation LtdFederal Government 
TAHE - Sydney TrainsState Government26 Oct 98

Description

Construction years: 1885-1922
Physical description: tYype 1 Signal Box (of which there are over 120 extant examples throughout NSW, eleven (11) of which are similar to the Demondrille Signal Box (ARTC, 2008/2010).

ince Demondrille Station was closed in 1974 a majority of the infrastructure has been removed the remaining elements are as follows:
- North (Junction) Signal Box;
- Remains of branch line island platform and dock (brick)
- Remains of branch line island platform and dock (brick;
- Tunnel under main lines;
- Station Master's House; and
- Gate posts (pair)(HNSW report 18/11/2010).

The precinct is of low integrity with the removal of the majority of the most significant elements relating to the coal bunker already removed (ARTC, 2008/10).
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential:
5 September 2019: Site visit conducted. Signal Box is derelict, pigeon infested, and in poor condition.
Date condition updated:09 Mar 22
Modifications and dates: Major upgrades to the station in 1918-1922

Since Demondrille Station was closed in 1974 a majority of the infrastructure has been removed the remaining elements are as follows:
- North (Junction) Signal Box;
- Remains of branch line island platform and dock (brick)
- Remains of branch line island platform and dock (brick;
- Tunnel under main lines;
- Station Master's House; and
- Gate posts (pair)(HNSW report 18/11/2010).
Current use: Railway Junction
Former use: Aboroginal land, pastoral use

History

Historical notes: Demondrille Railway Junction was established in 1877 during construction of the Main Southern Line between Sydney and Albury. The location is important as it was chosen as the site of the branch line connecting the Main Southern Line with the Western Line. The branch line connection was made as a triangle to allow trains to access the Blayney Line from either the Sydney or Albury end, the first such use of such an arrangement in NSW (ARTC, 2008/10, 26).

The next important phase for the junctions was during the 1920s when the main line was duplicated and a major steam locomotive servicing facility was built at the site with infrastructure including an impressive coal bunker with a timber trestle approach and supporting sidings. The facilities at this location were able to service the locomotives while still attached to their train on the main line and were integral to the operation of steam trains on the Main Southern Lin (ibid, 2008/10, 26).

Demondrille Station was established in 1885 as the location for the junction with the Murrumburrah to Blayney Branch line. The station underwent major upgrades between 1918 and 1922 when the Main Southern Line was duplicated (HNSW report, 18/11/2010).

Demondrille Station was closed in 1974. The Signal Box was decommissioned in 1974 (HNSW report, 18/11/2010).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal 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. 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. Modification of terrain-
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-
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 Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Exploration-Activities associated with making places previously unknown to a cultural group known to them. Exploring and surveying for the Crown-
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 Rail transport-
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 Administering the public railway system-
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 Resuming private lands for public purposes-
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 Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
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 Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Granting Crown lands for private farming-
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 - 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 - administration of land-
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 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 - public land administration-

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementProduce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard 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

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

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0112802 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register     

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
S170 Heritage & Conservation Register Update2009 Office of Rail Heritage (ORH) - Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)  Yes
RailCorp Section 170 Register Update2009 Hughes Trueman Pty Ltd  Yes
Rail Infrastructure Corporation s.170 Register2003 Rail Infrastructure Corporation  Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenARTC2008Demondrille Junction Signal Box - Statement of Heritage Impact
WrittenBCS2008Regional NSW Signal Boxess Heritage Conservation Strategy

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

rez
(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: 5011986
File number: EF14/4684


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.