St Peters Railway Station Group

Item details


Name of item:	St Peters Railway Station Group
Other name/s:	St. Peters Railway Station
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -33.9072863459 Long: 151.1803548520
Primary address:	Princes Highway (Opposite Sydney Park Rd), St Peters, NSW 2044
Local govt. area:	Inner West
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Boundary:

North: boundary of railway land fronting Lord Street, Newtown and Concord St, Erskineville; East: 5m east of the King Street (Princes Highway) rail overbridge; South: boundary of railway land fronting Sydney Park Road and rear of properties along Goodsell Street; West: 5m west of the end of the station platforms.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
Princes Highway (Opposite Sydney Park Rd)	St Peters	Inner West	Primary Address
Lord Street	Newtown	Inner West	Alternate Address
639 Princes Highway, Adjacent	Marrickville	Inner West	Alternate Address
Illawarra railway	St Peters	Inner West	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	16 Nov 98

Statement of significance:


	This is a good example of a standard early second class building and forms part of a group of structures in the area that indicate the early history of the station. It also demonstrates adaptibility with the original small 2 bay awning on one face and the later cantilevered awning to the rear or former street facade of the building. It is the last remnant at the site of the early period of railway development. Brick retaining walls are a significant part of the heritage as the railway builders sought to locate lines in restricted space without resuming too much property.
	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:	N.S.W. Government Railway; Footbridge: Dorman Long & Co
Builder/Maker:	C. & E. Miller (1st line), Later by NSW Government Railway, William Murray, (1st buildings)
Construction years:	1884-1914
Physical description:	PRECINCT ELEMENTS Platform 3-4 building (1884) (type 4, 3rd class) Island platforms (3) (1884) Brick retaining walls (1900) Footbridge (1914) King Street (Princes Highway) overbridge 3.659km (c.1900) Overhead Booking office and shop) (1914, altered c. 1949, 1999) Platform 1/2 canopy (c.1995) CONTEXT St. Peters Railway Station is located on the Princes Highway (aka King Street) near the intersection with Sydney Park Road, to the west of the Princes Highway rail overbridge. The station is accessed via a footbridge from Lord Street, Newtown, and via a pedestrian pathway and then footbridge from the Princes Highway. The railway station is within a cutting with high brick retaining walls. There are two island platforms: Platform 3/4 on the southern side, and Platform 1/2 on the northern side, and another disused and overgrown island platform on the northern side of the station adjacent to Lord Street. PLATFORM 3/4 BUILDING (1884) Exterior: This is a painted brick third class single storey platform building, with an awning the full length of the building on the southern side, and an awning along part of the length of the building on the northern side. The building has two brick chimneys to a gabled corrugated steel roof. Awnings to Platform 3 have a decorative metal valance to the ends of the awning (note: this pattern also occurs at Sydenham). The building features moulded stucco sills and heads to windows, original late Victorian period timber double doors with arched fanlights, each fanlight having two vertical glazing bars. Windows are timber framed double hung. There is a timber tongue & grooved door opening onto Platform 4. The Platform 4 awning has a timber bargeboard and timber valance, and is cantilevered on steel posts and brackets. There is stop chamfered brickwork to window and door openings. Interior: From east end: Room 1: very high plaster ceiling with plaster ceiling rose, marble mantelpiece, deteriorated timber floor, some wall linings missing. Room 2: ripple iron ceiling with metal ceiling rose, timber floor, fitted timber seating. Timber floor and fitted timber seating has visible termite damage. Room 3: timber floor, chimney breast, high plaster ceiling with plaster ceiling rose. Room 4: toilets with ripple iron ceiling with metal ceiling rose. Toilet fit out features toilet cubicles with late Victorian period timber 4-panel doors and architraves (possibly salvaged from elsewhere). Otherwise c.1970s toilet fit out. ISLAND PLATFORMS (1884) There are 3 island platforms: at the northern edge of the station adjacent to Lord Street a disused overgrown island platform; Platforms 1 and 2 with partly brick edges, partly concrete edges, and asphalt surfaces; and Platforms 3 & 4 at the southern side of the station with brick edges. Platform 4 is curved on its southern side. BRICK RETAINING WALLS (1900) Brick retaining walls extend both sides of the railway station, and extend to the eastern side of the brick overbridge. FOOTBRIDGE (1914) Access to the station is via a footbridge with a Dorman Long & Co steel structure with two sets of taper-haunched girders - one set for street access, the other for platform interchange, stairs, railings and star pattern newel posts. The footbridge has a hardie-board deck, and two brick supports underneath. KING STREET (PRINCES HIGHWAY) OVERBRIDGE (c.1900) Brick overbridge over all lines. OVERHEAD BOOKING OFFICE AND SHOP (1914, altered c. 1949, 1999) Located on the footbridge, the overhead booking office is extensively altered and includes a fibro ticket office with a hipped corrugated steel roof and a small fibro shop, also with a hipped corrugated steel roof, and a modern awning structure. PLATFORM 1/2 CANOPY (c1995) A modern platform canopy structure with steel posts on concrete bases and a corrugated steel roof. This replaced a 1914 platform building demolished c.1995.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Platform 3-4 building (1884): moderate. Some damage to timber. Island platforms (3) (1884): two good, disused platform moderate (overgrown). Brick retaining walls (1900): good Footbridge (1914): good Princes Highway/King St overbridge (c.1900): good Overhead booking office and shop (1914, altered c. 1949, 1999): good Platform 1/2 canopy (1995): very good
	Date condition updated:28 Jun 09
Modifications and dates:	1900: quadruplication of the line, construction of brick retaining walls, new King St overbridge 1908: platforms extended 1914: the 1884 Platform 1/2 building was demolished and replaced, footbridges and overhead booking office constructed. c.1949: overhead booking office extensively altered and shop built on footbridge 1995: The 1914 Platform 1/2 building demolished and platform canopy built in its place 1999-2000: Footbridge: hardie board decks and recladding of footbridge buildings; Platform 3/4 building: re-roofed, reinforced glass to some windows; extensive alterations to overhead booking office.


Current use:	Railway Station (Platform 3/4 disused)
Former use:	Aboriginal land, timber-getting farmland

History

Historical notes:

PERIOD I. ABORIGINAL OCCUPATION
The study area forms part of the core of the territory of the Darug Coastal Nation. The geological formation of the study area is described as part of the Wianamatta Group and chiefly Ashfield Shale resulting in clay soils supporting an indigenous forest vegetation structure dominated by Turpentine and Ironbark tree association (CAB, 2009).

PERIOD II. EARLY COLONIAL LAND GRANTS AND SETTLEMENT 1799 - 1826
The study area forms part of the land granted to Thomas Smyth in 1799 following the colonial invasion of the east coast of New South Wales. Lands including the study area were acquired by Robert Campbell and the original grant was referred to as Bulanaming was subdivided and 6 acres 14 perches,on the higher ground on the low ridge between Gumbramorra Creek to the north west and Shea's Creek to the south east, were reserved for the erection of a church. Much of the indigenous forest was cleared to obtain timber and get access to the relatively fertile soils for agricultural pursuits. This resulted in an open landscape character with scattered remnant trees (CAB, 2009).

PERIOD III. A.B. SPARK 1826 - 1838
Thirteen of the forty two allotments of Campbell's subdivision were purchased by Alexander Brodie (A.B.) Spark along with three smaller grants on the southern side of the Cooks River in 1826. Spark was an established Sydney merchant, a leading member of the community and a considerable land speculator holding land at the Glebe, Potts Point and The Hunter Valley besides his Cook River land. Spark was a classically educated man and this possibly influenced his decision to name his major Cooks River property 'Tempe' after the Vale of Tempe, a beautiful valley in ancient Greek legend which lay at the foot of Mount Olympus. Spark employed architect John Verge to design his Tempe house. He had previously ( 1831) employed Verge to design 'Tusculum' on Woolloomooloo Hill (Potts Point ) but apparently preferred the Cooks River property by moving to the Tempe estate in 1833 to oversee the implementation of the new residence and its picturesque garden setting. Spark and his estate played a key role in the establishment of a community at St Peters and in the building of the St Peter's Anglican Church (CAB, 2009).

Spark was one of the original trustees of St. Peter's Anglican Church, St.Peters. When Spark died he was buried in St. Peter's graveyard. The location of the grave is uncertain (St.Peter's parish, interpretive sign from graveyard)(CAB, 2009).

St. Peters Village and Suburb:
St. Peters was named by Alexander Brodie (A.B.) Spark (a merchant who arrived in the colony in 1823 and built Tempe House on the Cooks River in the 1820s), after St. Peters church was established in 1835 on the Cooks River Road (now the Princes Highway) around which the suburb was developed. Spark laid out a village around the church, taking the name of the church. However development remained semi-rural until the late 19th century. A post office had been established by 1851, the borough of St Peters incorporated in 1871, and a school began operating in 1881. The discovery of vast deposits of clay in the area led to it becoming the chief brickmaking centre of Sydney.

The first section of the double track Illawarra Line from Eveleigh to Hurstville was built by the private contractors C. and E. Miller and opened in 1884. St Peters was one of the more substantial stations of the eight built in 1884 reflecting the importance of the locality for industry and residential development.

In 1887 Josiah Gentle moved the Bedford Brickworks (established 1877 in Alexandria) to St Peters (located opposite the station on land which is now Sydney Park). This was one of the most important brickworks in Sydney in the late 19th century. The brickworks continued to operate at St Peters until the 1970s.

The two brick side platform buildings at St Peters Railway Station were constructed as a large 2nd class station building (Platform 1/2) and a smaller 3rd class station building (on current Platfrom 3/4) with a small footbridge at the 'Down' end of the platforms.

With quadruplification of the line in 1900, brick retaining walls were built at the station side boundaries.

Plans dated 18.9.08 for "proposed extensions of platforms" show no footbridge or booking office, just two stairs from Cooks River Road (Princes Highway aka King St) accessing the two platforms.

Plans dated 1916 show the current access arrangement - a footbridge across the whole line, overhead booking office at the northern side, and another footbridge and stairs accessing the two remaining platforms. The footbridges built at this time were a haunched beam design by Dorman Long & Co. The original Platform 1/2 building was demolished in c.1925 and replaced by a standard isalnd platform building.

Plans dated 1949 titled "new station buildings at street level", proposed a new station entrance building on the Princes Highway, and new access arrangements. As the current overhead booking office appears to be an extensively altered 1940s building, it is believed that when the 1949 plans did not proceed, the overhead booking office at St. Peters was either replaced or extensively upgraded at this time (though there are no plans indicating this).

The station's arrangement remained until c 1995 when the brick platform building on Platform 1/2 was demolished and replaced by the present steel framed platform canopy.

Plans dated 1999 for "Booking office modifications" show extensive alterations - re-cladding, some window relocations, and new internal fitout to the existing booking office. Also in 1999, steel canopies built over the footbridge and the stairs to Platforms 1/2.

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.	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.	Bidjigal tribe - Eora nation-
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.	Cadigal tribe - Eora nation-
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.	Aboriginal Culture-
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	Unseen but Present-
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	Forestry-Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial purposes.	Timber getting-
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-
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	Townships-
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	Suburban Centres-
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	Early farming (Cattle grazing)-
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	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
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	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	Suburban Consolidation-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Railways connecting industry and ports-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Public Transport - suburban railway lines-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Railways connecting coastal settlements-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on public infrastructure projects-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in the public service-
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 - 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-
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.	Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
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.	Interior design styles and periods - Edwardian-
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.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
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 - Victorian (late)-
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 - Federation Arts and Crafts-
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.	Landscaping - Federation period-
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.	Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
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-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Dorman Long, English Engineering Company-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	St. Peters Railway Station is of historical significance as one of the earliest stations on the Illawarra Line and for its role in the development of the St Peters/Newtown area since 1884. Developed from 1884 to the present, St. Peters Railway Station demonstrates its development over time, retaining an 1884 platform building on Platform 3/4 and 1884 brick faced platforms; brick retaining walls and overbridge (1900) and Dorman Long & Co steel footbridge and stairs (1914).
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The steel footbridge and stairs have historical association with the renowned engineering firm Dorman Long & Co. which designed and manufactured these structures.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	St. Peters Railway Station, with its platform building, brick retaining walls, brick overbridge and steel footbridge and stairs is of aesthetic significance as a collection of late 19th to early 20th century railway station structures. The fine third class Platform 3/4 building is of aesthetic significance as a simple late Victorian station building with awnings which demonstrate adaptability, having an original small 2 bay awning on Platform 3, and a later cantilevered awning to Platform 4 (the former street façade), demonstrating trends in Railway architecture in this time period. The 1914 haunched beam steel footbridge structure and stairs designed and manufactured by renowned engineers Dorman Long & Co is of aesthetic/technical significance as a well designed engineering structure of this period and for its decorative features such as stair railings and star pattern newel posts.
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]	The surviving interior and exterior detailing of the 1884 Platform 3/4 building and its awnings is considered rare on the Illawarra Line (one of only five stations on the Illawarra line with 3rd class platform building).
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The 1884 Platform 3/4 building is representative of 1880s railway station platform building design, being a standard third class platform building. It is very intact, including interiors. The 1914 footbridge is one of a number of examples of Dorman Long & Co steel footbridges of this period on the Illawarra Line (other examples at St. Peters, Erskineville).
Integrity/Intactness:	The Platform 3/4 building is remarkably intact including its interior. The footbridge has been redecked but its otherwise intact. The station as a whole lacks integrity due the loss of the Platform 1/2 building.
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		01250	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	CAB Consulting	2009	St. Peter's Church, Cooks River - Heritage Impact Statement

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

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012222

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