Couridjah Railway Station

Item details


Name of item:	Couridjah Railway Station
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.2330900258 Long: 150.5494760410
Primary address:	Main Southern railway, Couridjah, NSW 2571
Local govt. area:	Wollondilly
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Tharawal

Boundary:

The listing boundary is the front of the platform face, a line crossing the tracks 20 metres past each end of the platform and a line running parallel to the platform face at a distance of 20 metres behind the back of the station building.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Main Southern railway	Couridjah	Wollondilly			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	22 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Couridjah station building is a rare non-standard timber building from early in the development of the railway (1867), there being one other similar building at Raglan, and is of high significance, even though a modest building.
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Construction years:	1867-
Physical description:	BUILDINGS - station building - type 9' timber waiting shed; Non-standard bracketed building, 1867; Platform face; Platform surface


Current use:	Railway station
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal land
This area was the traditional land of the Gandangara people (Garran ,1978, 530). The area is home to the Tharawal and Gundungurra people (Robinson, 2008).

Gundungurra or Gandangarra people lived in the Southern Highlands area, which includes Mittagong, for many thousands of years. People who spoke the Gundungurra language lived in the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands and the Goulburn Plains of New South Wales. They lived in small groups of extended family members, who were attached to particular areas of country (Di Johnson: 2004 in SHR database 5045486).

Gundungurra groups left archaeological evidence of their occupation throughout their traditional lands, including scarred trees where bark was removed for use as a boat or other object, grinding grooves on rocks where axes were ground, and occupation sites which include middens. Well-worn Gundungurra pathways on ridge tops were often the routes used as the first roads by colonists (Di Johnson 2004). Possibly this could have been the origin of the Old South Road... (SHR database 5045486).

One of the first places in the Gundungurra traditional homelands that most appealed to the Anglo-Celt settlers were the river flats of the Burragorang Valley (now flooded under Warragamba Dam). Even before the valley was officially surveyed in 1827-8, many early settlers were already squatting on blocks that they planned to officially occupy following the issue of freehold title grants. From the Burragorang Valley and using Aboriginal pathways, other valleys to the west were occupied and developed by the settlers with construction of outstations and stock routes. These cattle entrepreneurs were then followed by cedar-wood extractors and miners (Johnson, 2009, 4).

After Anglo-European settlers caused displacement of Gundungurra people, they often worked on farms or grazing properties within and adjacent to their traditional land (Di Johnson: 2004 in SHR database 5045486).

The Gundungurra traditional owners resisted the taking of their lands, and, relying on various laws of the colony at the time, continually applied for official ownership. Although their individual claims failed, in some kind of recognition of the significance of the designated tracts of land claimed, six Aboriginal Reserves (under the control of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board) were formally declared in the Burragorang Valley. Even after these reserves were revoked, many of the traditional owners remained, quietly refusing to leave their traditional homelands (ibid, 2009, 4).

Finally pushed into the 'Gully', a fringe development in West Katoomba from about 1894, the Gully community stayed together for more than 60 years until dispossessed of the Gully by the then Blue Mountains Shire Council so a group of local businessmen could develop a speedway that became known as the Catalina Race Track. The Gully people kept talking about areas of land they had walked in as children - the nearby Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys and the Burragorang Valley. They knew of the profound significance of these valleys for their parents and grandparents (ibid, 2009, 4).

Camden & the Cow Pastures:
The area is associated with the early history of the colony of New South Wales. Governor Hunter named it 'The Cowpastures' after cattle which had strayed from the Farm Cove settlement were discovered there in 1795. Due to the early European settlers, namely the Macarthurs, who established flourishing wool, wine and wheat industries here, the area is said to be 'the birthplace of the nation's wealth' (ibid, 2008).

Railway:
Couridjah is located on the Main South line. The 'Great Southern Railway' originally opened from Picton to Mittagong via a loop line in 1867. Couridjah railway station building dates to 1867, when the railway opened through Thirlmere and Couridjah.

In 1919, the Main South line from Picton was deviated to Mittagong to ease the grades. The new line virtually follows the line of the Great South Road taking the main line away from Thirlmere, Buxton, Balmoral and Hilltop and passing through Tahmoor, Bargo and Yerrinbool.

The 34-kilometre single track loop line was established during the 1860s, but has not been used for 44 years. Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith had long touted the idea of reviving the long lost track before being elected. And back in 2019 Mr Smith was able to secure $5.5 million in state funding for the project. "It's not a huge project like the new Picton High campus or the upgrades to Bowral Hospital - but it is something that could be very big for tourism in Wollondilly. "People will be able to come to Thirlmere, get on a steam train and head out to other town's along the way. "And the rail that has been received will be able to take some of the bigger steam trains as well." Mr Smith said additional funding was needed to complete the entire track, but the first round of funding would be used to repair some of the track which was damaged during the Green Wattle Creek bushfire. "Some of the towns along this line absolutely copped it during the bushfires - like Buxton, Balmoral and Colo Vale," he said. "Repairing the track will bring more people out to these towns and help to support their recovery. (Osborne, 2021).

Upgrade of the Picton - Mittagong (1st: Picton-Buxton and 2nd: Buxton - Colo Vale) Loop Line:
More than $9 million in funding will be used to deliver the 32-kilometre Picton to Colo Vale Rail Line project, reopening the historic loop line. The funding comes from the NSW Government's $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund, and promises to deliver a major tourism boost to both Wollondilly and Southern Highlands regions. The rail line between Picton and Buxton will be upgraded, while the further section between Buxton and Colo Vale will be reopened to allow more heritage trains to operate from the popular NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere (Layt, 2021).

A stretch of track just north of Hill Top which is currently inaccessible to the public (through the deepest railway cutting in the southern hemisphere) will also be upgraded. Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith said the extra funding was a great boost for the region. "Reopening the loop line to Colo Vale adds capacity, and the longer rail excursions will create a more authentic experience of what it was like to travel during the golden age of steam trains," he said. "Based in Thirlmere and just an hour from Sydney, the NSW Rail Museum has long been a popular attraction for families and rail enthusiasts drawn to Australia's biggest collection of heritage trains. "Big Hill Cutting will be the highlight of the loop line when it is reopened, providing a unique experience that will draw and delight families and rail enthusiasts alike." (ibid, 2021).

Work on the Picton-Colo Vale Rail Line project will begin shortly. Mr Smith said the NSW Rail Museum was the largest tourist attraction in Wollondilly and as such the upgrades were expected to support the area's recovery following the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires. "When this line was first built in the 1860s, it brought the local villages to life and its reopening will do the same," he said. "There are plans for village market stalls to spring up along the line selling locally grown and made produce, further adding to the visit experience and providing a much-needed economic boost to local businesses." The single track Loop Line was established during the 1860s, but has not been used for 44 years (ibid, 2021).

Mr Smith had long touted the idea of reviving the long lost track before being elected, was able to secure $5.5 million in state funding for the project back in 2019. Transport Heritage NSW chief executive Mr Andrew Moritz said the project was a game-changer for the NSW Rail Museum and local region. "This funding realises a long-held vision of our members, volunteers and the local community to see heritage trains operate the full length of the loop line and meet increased demand for our heritage train experiences." (ibid, 2021).

The museum announced earlier this year that recycled rail from the Griffith to Junee line was being used to replenish the line. The organisation's operations manager Daniel Page said the 110m length rails would be used to repair the current track and revive sections which had long been unused. The final stretch of the loop line between Colo Vale and Braemar is not being reactivated as part of this project (ibid, 2021).

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-
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-
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	Clearing land for farming-
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	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
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	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	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 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	Impacts of railways on rural development-
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-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
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	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

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 Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	01121	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan	1991	23 Aug 91	119	07235

References, internet links & images

None

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:	5045273

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