Dundas Railway Station

Item details


Name of item:	Dundas Railway Station
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -33.8035428552 Long: 151.0334413010
Primary address:	Station Street, Dundas, NSW 2117
Local govt. area:	City of Parramatta
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Boundary:

Southeast: Property boundary fronting Station Street (excluding car park); Northeast: 5 metres from end of platform; Northwest: Property boundary to rear of residential lots on Kissing Point Road; Southwest: 5 metres from end of platform.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
Station Street	Dundas	City of Parramatta	Primary Address
Kissing Point Road	Dundas	City of Parramatta	Alternate Address
Clyde-Carlingford railway	Dundas	City of Parramatta	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	27 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Dundas Railway Station is significant for its small timber platform building which is the only known example of its type, characterised by close eaves with a small platform awning. The building however has lost its integrity having been reconstructed in 2007 after the original timber structure was destroyed by fire. The station is evidence of the construction of the private Bennett and Simpson Railway under the Simpsons' Railway Act in 1893, which provided transport to the northern suburbs, including Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill and Dural.
	Date significance updated: 11 Apr 13
	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:	Messrs Horne and Shand
Builder/Maker:	Messrs Horne and Shand
Construction years:	1896-2007
Physical description:	BUILDINGS Station Building - type 8, timber (2007) STRUCTURES Passenger waiting area - modern, metal (2007) Platform - brick faced (1896) Pedestrian crossing - concrete (2007) STATION BUILDING (2007) External: The station building is a reconstruction of the original timber narrow awning building (type 8). It is a painted timber building with a hip and gabled galvanised iron roof, and a skillion extension on the Carlingford (Up) end of the building. Four entry points, a large window and a small square window are located on the platform side and are covered with security screens. These are also used on all other windows and doors and hide the timber panelled doors and four paned timber framed windows. Some of the window frames appear to be original. The Station Street elevation is characterised by one double door entry, two large windows and several high, small square windows. The Station Street entry, together with the main entry area on the other side of the building have small, cantilevered awnings with corrugated iron sheeting and decorative ends. Internal: Although access to the interiors could not be obtained, due to its true reconstruction the building would feature v-jointed timber wall linings and houses the station managers office on the Up end, toilets on the Down end and a waiting room between the two. PASSENGER WAITING AREA (2007) Immediately adjacent to the timber building on the Rydalmere (Down) end of the building is a modern passenger waiting area with a gabled, galvanised metal roof canopy with a post supported awning to the platform side and vertical timber board ends. Glass and steel form the remainder of the structure. PLATFORM (1896) The platform is brick faced with pedestrian access at grade by crossing an operational railway line. Modern lighting, information signs and fencing is located in appropriate areas on the platform and around the station. A commuter carpark is located on the Station Street side of the station. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (2007) The pedestrian crossing with concrete approaches over the single line track is located just off the Down end of the platform. MOVEABLE ITEMS Access to the interior could not be obtained due to the station being an unattended station. However, there is no known moveable items at this station.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	STATION BUILDING The building is in very good condition having been recently reconstructed. According to recent plans a small amount of original fabric remains, such as windows. Access to the interiors could not be obtained, however, inspection through the windows indicates that it is generally in good condition.
	Date condition updated:11 Apr 13
Modifications and dates:	Post-1950: Footbridge and goods siding removed 1959: Toilets built 1992: Platform canopy attached to building at the Sydney end; 2006: Severe fire destroyed the Station Master’s office and general waiting room 2007: The station building was largely reconstructed and repaired. N.d: The skillion-roofed out-of shed attached to the Carlingford (Up) end 2010: Platform re-surfaced


Former use:	Aboriginal land, farmland, Railway station

History

Historical notes:

The station opened in 1896 as Kissing Point Road and was renamed Dundas in 1901. The station was part of Bennett and Simpson's Railway, a private railway aimed at serving property subdivisions to the north and provide better transport options for producers from the fruit growing districts around Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill and Dural.

It also comprised Bennett's private railway from Clyde Station to Rosehill constructed 1888 by John Bennet, Rosehill Racecourse owner (Ward, 2020) and the extension to Carlingford. The Carlingford extension was constructed by Benjamin Christian Simpson (ibid, 2020) after investigations in 1891 and 1892 by the Minister for Works into the state of roads in the fruit (orange) growing district which saw the Simpson's Railway Act passed on 13 June 1893. The Act authorised the private construction of a railway line in three sections from Bennett's Railway line to Dural. The first section was to terminate at Carlingford, the second Castle Hill (Rogans Hill) and the third at Dural.

The Carlingford line opened on 16 April 1896 but due to the increased costs and poor return from the freight and passenger service, it was decided not to proceed with the remaining sections. By the end of 1896, both Bennett's and Simpson's railways were in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand. The high cost of the Parramatta River bridge caused financial collapse of the company and the station (along with the railway to Carlingford) was taken over in 1901 by the NSW Government Railways.

Opening the new rail line on 1 August 1901, the works Minister Edward William O'Sullivan said it was a 'pleasant circumstance to be able to take part in the opening of a railway that was certain, if judiciously used, to act beneficially in the development of a valuable fruitgrowing industry' (ibid, 2020).

Dundas Station was the last privately built and owned station building in NSW. It is also one of a very small number of platforms where access is at grade by crossing an operational railway line.

With the addition of Telopea station in 1925, the Carlingford line carried racegoers to and from Rosehill. When it was announced that the line's steam service, Sydney's last such, would be replaced by an electric train in 1958, (Sydney Morning) Herald reporter David Burke travelled on the 'Coffee Pot', finding suburban sprawl meant the route was largely used by 'little girls in blue tunics and straw hats who announce themselves from 'Rosehill High' and boys in green blazers from Carlingford Junior Agricultural College', now James Ruse Agricultural High School (ibid, 2020).

There was a severe fire in the station building in 2006, which destroyed the majority of the building's original fabric. It was reconstructed in 2007.

On 5 January 2020, after 130 years of operation, the final passenger train departed from Carlingford station for Clyde. It was a seven stop, four car, 14 minute journey. The line will then be serviced by bus route 325, until the Parramatta Light Rail opens in 2023. More than 3 decades later, the line became the last to transition from kerosene-powered signals to electric. Don Paton, then station master at Camellia, said he was sorry to see the line go. The T6 line's patronage has been hampered by not entering the CBD, with commuters choosing instead to travel from Epping on the T1 Northern Line, or use bus services, rather than change trains at Clyde. Last year it had by far the lowest patronage of any Sydney suburban line. Opal card data show just 536,000 trips were made on the line from January to November, compared to close to 9 millino on the Northern line. Howard Collins, chief executive of Transport for NSW, said he was very keen to preserve the historical elements of the line, notably the Dundas railway station. To celebrate the line's last day of operation, a historic 'red rattler' train, seen on Sydney's suburban railways between 1926 and 1992, will run on 4 January 2020 between regular Saturday services from 10am (Ward, 2020).

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.	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.	Changing the environment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present.	Daruk Nation - sites evidencing occupation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Market gardening-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Orchards-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Fruit growing-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Experimenting with new crops and methods-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Horticulture-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Ancillary structures - sheds, crop storage-
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	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 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	Building and operating industrial tramways-
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	Engineering 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-
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	Private 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	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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	Impact of railways on suburban development-
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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Railways to inland settlements-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Railway work culture-
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 - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Horse racing-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gambling and betting-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going to the racetrack-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with the National Trust of Australia (NSW)-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Bennet, theatrical entrepreneur, owner of Rosehill Racecourse-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Benjamin Christian Simpson, railway line and orcharding proponent-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Dundas Railway Station has historic significance as the only former privately built station building on the railway network. It is evidence of the construction of the Bennett and Simpson Railway to the northern suburbs, which was abandoned following construction of Stage 1 due to financial difficulties. The original atypical ‘Type 8 - Narrow Awning Building’ was destroyed by fire and largely reconstructed in 2007. It is however, the only extant example of its type providing evidence of the' Type 8’ style station building and is significant due to its construction as a good and true replica of the original building.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The station has historical associations with the construction of a private railway under the Simpson's' Railway Act in 1893, which provided transport to the northern suburbs such as Baulk ham Hills, Castle Hill and Dural.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Despite being largely reconstructed, the timber station building is aesthetically significant as an example of small atypical 'Type 8' buildings featuring a small platform awning and close eaves.
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. Its historical associations with the local fruit producers of the time who agitated for the line is not considered as a special or strong association, and is no longer valid.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The timber building has the research potential for study into the type of building constructed on a private railway in Sydney in it's reproduced form together with early plans.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Dundas station building, despite being a reconstruction, is the only known example of 'Type 8' narrow awning railway station building. It provides evidence of such small timber atypical railway buildings. It has some rarity in this regard.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The building is representative of a railway station building type no longer extant on the railway network in NSW although it is unknown how many of the 23 planned buildings were built.
Integrity/Intactness:	The building is primarily new fabric (2007).
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	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		01133	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	Singleton, C.C.	1955	"Clyde to Carlingford and Sandown Railway", ARHS Bulletin, Vol. 6 No. 210, April
Written	Ward, Mary	2020	Red rattler rolls to signal end of the line
Written	Western Sydney Libraries (West Syd)		Slice of life: Trams and Trains

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:	5012000
File number:	H06/00071

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