Thirroul Railway Station Group

Item details


Name of item:	Thirroul Railway Station Group
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.3180983326 Long: 150.9188805900
Primary address:	Illawarra railway, Thirroul, NSW 2515
Local govt. area:	Wollongong City
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Illawarra

Boundary:

North: 5m north of the station platform ends; East: boundary of railway property, partly fronting Station Street; South: 5m south of the station platform ends; West: boundary of railway property, partly fronting Railway Parade.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Illawarra railway	Thirroul	Wollongong City			Primary Address

Owner/s

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

Statement of significance:


	Thirroul Railway Station - including the platform buildings, former weatherboard toilets, Railway Institute building, platforms and moveable items - is of State heritage significance. Thirroul Railway Station is of State historical significance as a railway station representing two separate periods of the construction of the Illawarra line - the initial 1887 construction and 1915 duplication of the line - and for its role as a transport hub for Thirroul since 1887. Thirroul Railway Station has historical significance for its role in the development of Thirroul as a seaside resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thirroul Railway Station is also of historical significance as a former major locomotive depot on the Illawarra line, evidenced by the railway institute building and moveable items. The Thirroul Railway Station platforms, platform buildings and Railway Institute building are of aesthetic significance as early railway station buildings and structures, the platform buildings not being typical of their type due to major 1915 alterations for duplication of the line. The railway institute building, altered in 1937, is a rare example of this type of railway structure. The active use of the former railway institute building at Thirroul for the Thirroul Railway Institute Preservation Society indicates the social significance of this building. The platform buildings are good examples of early (1887) platform buildings with later (1915) adaptations. The Railway Institute building is rare as there are no examples of this type of building on the Illawarra line, and very few remaining in NSW.
	Date significance updated: 30 May 09
	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
Builder/Maker:	D. Proudfoot & T. Logan (1st line), F. Harrison (station building & gatehouse)
Construction years:	1887-1937
Physical description:	PRECINCT ELEMENTS Platform 1 building (1887,1915) (type 4) Platform 2/3 building (1887, 1915) (type 11) Railway Institute building (1921, 1937) Former Toilet Block (1915) Platforms (x2) (1887, 1915) Footbridge, steps, lifts (2005) Platform Canopies (2005) Moveable items: Signals to south of railway institute building. CONTEXT Thirroul Railway Station is located between Station Street (on the east) and Railway Parade (to the west), and is entered on the west through a park between the station and Lawrence Hargrave Drive, and from Station Street on the east via a modern covered footbridge with lifts and stairs. There are station car parks on the western side of Station Street, and on the eastern side of Railway Parade. The station has a perimeter platform on its western side and an island platform to the east. The stations perimeters are defined with white powder-coated aluminium fencing. Platform 1 is the western perimeter platform. Platform 2/3 is the eastern island platform. PLATFORM 1 BUILDING (1887, 1915) Exterior: A weatherboard building with a cantilevered skillion platform awning with curved steel brackets on bolted steel posts. The awning has timber valances to both north and south ends. The building has a complex gabled corrugated steel roof, with gable ends to north and south, and projecting bay with gable end located towards the north end of the building on the street side (west elevation) only. Gable ends feature rectangular timber louvred vents, simple timber bargeboards and finials. There are two brick chimneys. The awning extends for a bay beyond the north end of the building to allow cover to the ticket window which is located at the end of the building, with a separate skillion roof. The building has modern timber panelled doors with 9-paned fanlights above. The waiting area at the north end of the building has 2 pairs of modern timber panelled double doors, one facing the platform, and the other facing north, beneath a cantilevered awning with steel brackets and a corrugated steel skillion roof. The double doors have 12-paned fanlights (2 lines of 6 panes). Interior: The platform building contain waiting rooms, offices for the Station Master, parcels office and toilets and ladies waiting room. The waiting area at the north end of the building has been modernised. This has 2 pairs of modern timber panelled double doors, one facing the platform, and the other facing north, beneath a cantilevered awning with steel brackets and a corrugated steel skillion roof. PLATFORM 2/3 BUILDING (1887,1915) Exterior: A single storey weatherboard platform building with a gabled corrugated steel roof and cantilevered skillion roofed awnings on both sides. There are no chimneys to the roof. The awnings have curved steel brackets mounted on steel posts and timber valances to both north and south ends. The building features timber framed double hung windows. Note: This building is though to be the original station building, however extended and lateres in 1915 for duplication works with new platform awnings, and latered again in 1938 for changes to the island platform. Interior: Interior not accessed (2009). The platform building contain waiting rooms, offices for the Station Master, parcels office and toilets and ladies waiting room. THIRROUL RAILWAY INSTITUTE BUILDING (1921, 1937) Exterior: This is a single storey weatherboard and fibro freestanding building with a gabled corrugated steel roof, located at the south end of Platform 1. The building has a gabled entry porch on its northern elevation supported on timber posts on short concrete posts. The concrete posts are capped with concrete made to resemble sandstone. On its southern elevation, the building has a skillion roofed veranda the full width of the elevation, supported on timber posts on short concrete posts with caps made to resemble sandstone. The building's walls are timber up to window sill level with fibro above. The building features timber framed double hung windows with 9-paned top sashes. The gable ends to north and south elevations are timber shingled to the apex with pairs of small decorative timber brackets below the line of shingles, and timber battened fibro below. There are timber panelled double entry doors to the main entry on the north elevation. On the south elevation, in the southeast corner beneath the veranda roof, there is an addition with walls of vertical timber boards. FORMER TOILETS (1915) Exterior: To the north of the railway institute is a small freestanding weatherboard gable roofed former toilet building with a timber infilled gabled veranda facing south. There is a timber framed window opening on the east side with frosted glass to the lower part and glass louvres to the upper part. There are rectangular timber vents to north and south gable ends. Note: this building may also have been relocated from Scarborough in 1915. PLATFORMS (1887, 1915) 1 perimeter platform, 1 island platform - both with brick edges with concrete capping, asphalt surfaces FOOTBRIDGE, STEPS, LIFTS (2005) Covered footbridge, steps and lifts towards the northern end of the station. PLATFORM CANOPIES (2005) On both Platforms 1 and 2/3 to the north of the platform buildings, modern canopies on steel posts with concrete bases and corrugated Colorbond roofs connect the platform buildings to the footbridge, steps and lifts towards the northern end of the platforms. LANDSCAPE/NATURAL FEATURES Views of the Illawarra escarpment are available from the platforms at Thirroul Railway Station. MOVEABLE ITEMS Signals located south of the railway institute building. Contents of Railway Institute building.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Platform 1 building (1887,1915): good Platform 2/3 building (1887, 1915): good Railway Institute building (1921, 1937): good Former Toilet Block (1915): good Moveable items: good Platforms (1887, 1915): good Footbridge, steps, lifts (2005): very good Platform Canopies (2005): very good
	Date condition updated:29 Jul 09
Modifications and dates:	1912: Crossing loop added 1915: Former Scarborough platform building relocated to Thirroul Platform 1 with new awning and chimneys. Existing 1887 building on Platform 2/3 altered for line duplication, with new platform awnings and extension. 1921: Railway institute building built 1937: Railway institute building was extended. 1939: Platform 2/3 building altered for changes to island platform 1941: Extensive loco depot arrangements at Thirroul with oil store, ash truck, coal bunker, turntable, weighbridge and offices. 1986: Line electrified. New platform canopy added to the entry end of Platform 2/3. 1989: Platform 1 building extensively refurbished 2005: Existing footbridge and stairs replaced, steel canopies provided linking the footbridge to the platform buildings. N.d: Security screens to windows, security doors added to both platform buildings.


Current use:	Railway Station, Preservation Society
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farmland, Railway Institute

History

Historical notes:

Wollongong / the Illawarra:
Before European settlement in the Illawarra, the region was home to the local Wodi Wodi Aboriginal people of the Dharawal nation (NPWS, 2005). This Aboriginal community had a well-developed and complex society, and physical and cultural evidence of this remains today in the forms of burials, middens and other sites. The Aboriginal history has also been preserved through traditional knowledge and dreaming stories which have been passed down through the generations (WCC, c2012). Traditional stories tell of their arrival at the mouth of Lake Illawarra in canoes when the Ancestors were animals. They brought the Dharawal or Cabbage tree palm (Livistona australis) with them and are named for this sacred tree (NPWS, 2005).

Aboriginal communities first encountered Europeans in 1796.

Red cedar (Toona ciliata) timber-getters operated in Illawarra escarpment (rain)forests as the first 'settler' industry in the area from the 1810s.

Dr Charles Throsby used the coastal Illawarra grasslands as cattle fodder in 1815 opening the area to European settlement. He focussed his herd behind the fresh water lagoon then situated at the junction of the current day Harbour and Smith Streets where he built a stockman's hut and cattle yards (DeTom Design, 2011, 17-18) and this was a meeting point for the first Illawarra land grantees in 1816 (WCC, c.2012).

The first settlement in the area now known as Wollongong was by Charles Throsby Smith, nephew of Throsby. He was one of the first to receive a land grant in the district and in 1822 was the first to settle on his 300 acre parcel. Smith's barn, located near Wollongong harbour, became the first school house in 1826 and then church building in 1828.

A military presence was established in the area now known as Port Kembla in 1826. They were relocated to the area now known as Wollongong in 1830. They were replaced by a local magistrate in 1833. This activity was focussed around the harbour. In 1833 the area's first school was established (ibid, 2011, 17-18).

In 1834 land owner Charles Throsby Smith (nephew of Dr. Charles Throsby)'s land was nominated as the site for the township to be known as Wollongong (ibid, 2011, 17-18).

In 1834 Surveyor General Major Thomas Mitchell surveyed the town with the centrepiece of land devoted to the Church of England. As there was no crown land, Thosby-Smith sold his land to the Government and it was transferred to the church. The surveyed town was bounded by streets to be known as Harbour, Keira, Smith and Crown Streets (ibid, 2011, 18). The original township was bounded by Crown, Keira, Smith and Harbour Streets which remain major streets in Wollongong today (WCC, c2012).

The Illawarra District Council was formed in 1843. In 1859, two municipal councils were formed: Municipality of Wollongong which was proclaimed on 22 February, and Central Illawarra Municipality which was formed on 19 August 1859 (this took in the area from Unanderra to Macquarie Rivulet). North Illawarra Municipality was formed on 26 October 1868 and included the area from Fairy Creek to Bellambi. In 1947 The City of Greater Wollongong was formed by the amalgamation of the City of Wollongong, the Shires of Bulli and Central Illawarra and the Municipality of North Illawarra, under the Local Government Act, 1919 in the NSW Government Gazette 104 of 12 September 1947.

1880s expansion and the Illawarra Railway Line:
Wollongong expanded in the 1880s and the railway which finally linked the area to Sydney, encouraged movement away from Mitchell's plan. The relative isolation of the Illawarra ended in 1888 when the railway was finally introduced to link the area to Sydney. The town was transformed from a focus on the wharves to one on the railway and began to expand away from St.Michael's central position. The rail allowed the area to ship milk, coal and coke to Sydney city, expanding Wollongong city's potential enormously. By the turn of the century a smelting works and number of coke oven batteries were opened and the town's population rose from 1635 in 1881 to 3545 in 1901 (an average growth rate of 3.9%)(McDonald, 1989, in Davies, 2003, 14).

Thirroul or Robbinsville:
In the 1870s when settlement of the area began, all the area north of Wollongong was known as Bulli and Thirroul was called North Bulli. Before white settlement Aboriginals belonging to the "Thurrural" tribe roamed this area. There were many different ways of spelling the name which translates to "the place or valley of the cabbage tree palms".

Robbinsville was a former name for the village of Thirroul. The village was called Robbinsville after Frederick Robbins, who owned land in the area. The name was adopted at a meeting of inhabitants of the area in February 1880. Thirroul became known as a tourist resort "Thirroul has long been popular for surfing, and cottages of Sydney people cluster thickly along the ocean side." (Argus, Melbourne 27 December 1923, p. 6).

An isolated section of the Illawarra Railway was built in 1887 from near Stanwell Park to Yallah as a single line, and was finally connected to the northern (Sydney) section of the railway on 3rd October 1888. Thirroul station opened in June 1887 with the name Robbinsville having a small timber station building with timber platform, and was renamed Thirroul in November 1891.

When the line was duplicated from Scarborough to Thirroul in 1915 this caused a new platform to be built on the Up side with a large timber platform building relocated to Thirroul Platform 1 from Scarborough. At the time of its relocation, the building's internal layout included a lavatory, ladies room, general waiting room, and a combined booking, parcels and ticket office, with an awning at the end as well as on the platform side. A separate timber building contained men's toilets (possibly also relocated from Scarborough). The relocation to Thirroul led to some modifications to the building including new awnings and chimneys.

At the same time the original building was extended northward and a footbridge was erected. The original building on Platform 2/3 at Thirroul was altered again in 1939 for the change to an island platform.

In 1921 the railway institute building was built at the southern end of the Up platform and in 1938 a back platform track was laid in for storage of suburban trains to Port Kembla. In 1937 the railway institute building was extended.

1941 plans show extensive loco depot arrangements at Thirroul with an oil store, ash truck, coal bunker, turntable, weighbridge and offices. In 1986 the line was electrified and a new platform canopy was added to the entry end of Platform 2/3. In 1989 the Platform 1 building was extensively upgraded. In 2005 the existing footbridge was replaced with the existing reinforced concrete footbridge and stairs having lifts to the north end of the platforms. Steel canopies were also provided linking the footbridge to the platform buildings.

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.	Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
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.	Introduce cultural planting-
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 and parklands of distinctive styles-
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	Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances.	Mining for coal-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances.	coal transport and handling-
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-
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	1820s-1850s land grants-
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	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	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	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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th century suburban developments-
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	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Creation of railway towns-
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	Impacts of railways on rural 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	Roadside Villages-
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	Railway Suburbs-
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	Role of transport in settlement-
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	Evolution of railway towns-
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	Villages-
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	Railway work culture-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Workers organising workers-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Adult Education-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Trade education-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Educating people in regional locations-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Community education - adults, school excursions-
6. Educating-Educating	Education-Activities associated with teaching and learning by children and adults, formally and informally.	Mechanics Institutes for community education-
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 - providing public transport-
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 - providing rail transport-
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.	Public works-
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-
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 - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
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.	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.	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.	Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Ways of life 1950-2000-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in suburbia-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Thirroul Railway Station is of historical significance as a railway station representing two separate periods of the construction of the Illawarra line - the initial 1887 construction and 1915 duplication of the line - and for its role as a transport hub for Thirroul since 1887. The Thirroul Platform 1 building is of historical significance as a building dating from the initial construction of the Illawarra line, altered in 1915 for duplication of the line. Thirroul railway station has historical significance for its role in the development of Thirroul as a seaside resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thirroul Railway Station is also of historical significance as a former major loco depot on the Illawarra line, evidenced by the Railway Institute building and moveable items. The railway station buildings and structures show evidence of having developed over time since 1887.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Thirroul Railway Station's 1887 platform buildings are of aesthetic significance as examples of weatherboard platform buildings, not typical of the standard desing types due to major 1915 alterations for duplication of the line (including the relocation of the Platform 1 building from Scarborough). The 1921 Railway Institute building, altered in 1937, is a rare example of this type of structure.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The active use of the former railway institute building at Thirroul for the Thirroul Railway Institute Preservation Society indicates the social significance of this building.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The Thirroul Railway Institute building is rare, as there are very few extant examples in the NSW railways network, though there are other examples at Central, Cooma, and Orange. The Platform 1 building is one of only four extant weatherboard platform buildings of this type on the Illawarra line (other examples at Albion Park, Bulli and Dapto). The most intact examples of the four extant are those at Albion Park and Bulli. The Platform 2/3 building is a rare example of a weatherboard platform building, of which there are only four of this type extant on the Illawarra line (other examples at Austinmer, Oatley (altered), and Penshurst).
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The platform buildings are representative examples of 1887 weatherboard platform buildings of their types, though with 1915 alterations.
Integrity/Intactness:	Both platform buildings were extensively altered in 1915, and interiors modernised recently. The extant railway station structures are externally intact as a group developed from 1887-1937.
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		01269	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written			Brief locality history from www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/localhistory.asp
Written	C. C. Singleton	1946	The Illawarra Line: Scarborough to Wollongong, A.R.H.S. Bulletin XI, No 103, May
Written	National Parks and Wildlife Service	2005	Aboriginal Illawarra
Written	Paul Davies P/L	2003	Conservation Management Plan, St Michael's Cathedral Wollongong
Written	Sheedy, David	2009	Historical Research for RailCorp S170 Register Update
Written	Wollongong City Council, in association with Wollongong Heritage Committee	2012	Wollongong City Centre Heritage Trail (brochure)

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:	5012246

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