Prospect Reservoir and surrounding area

Item details


Name of item:	Prospect Reservoir and surrounding area
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Landscape - Cultural
Category:	Other - Landscape - Cultural
Location:	Lat: -33.8159399765 Long: 150.8926367110
Primary address:	Reservoir Road, Prospect, NSW 2148
Local govt. area:	Blacktown
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	7	DP	1015294
PART LOT	1	DP	1062094
LOT	2	DP	1062094
LOT	304	DP	1122291
LOT	2	DP	218194
PART LOT	1	DP	270644
PART LOT	18	DP	270644
PART LOT	8	DP	270644
LOT	1	DP	832281
LOT	2	DP	832281
LOT	4	DP	832281
LOT	1	DP	845354
LOT	5	DP	861815

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Type
Wallgrove Road	Eastern Creek	Blacktown
Chandos Road	Horsley Park	Fairfield
Reconciliation Road	Pemulwuy	Cumberland
Picrite Road	Pemulwuy	Cumberland
Reservoir Road	Prospect	Blacktown	Primary Address
Davis Road	Wetherill Park	Fairfield	Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Sydney Water	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Prospect Reservoir is historically significant at the state level as it is a central element of the Sydney water supply system. As a part of the Upper Nepean Scheme, the Reservoir has continued to supply water to Sydney for over 120 years, and generally still operates in the same way as it was originally constructed. That it has continued to be used since its construction reflects the inventive and progressive way in which the reservoir was designed and built, and this contributes to its significance greatly. The Reservoir reflects three significant changes in municipal life during the late 19th century; the development of water and general public utility services; the importance of ensuring an adequate and dependable centralised water supply; and the collective bureaucratic response to the delivery of capital works of this nature. Built between 1882 and 1888, it was an outstanding achievement in civil engineering technology at the time, using innovative design and construction methods. It has a high level of historical engineering significance. Prospect Reservoir is strongly associated with the Harbours and Rivers Branch of the NSW Public Works Department, particularly Edward Orpen Moriarty, Head of the branch at the time of the Reservoir's construction, and later with the Board of Water Supply and Sewerage (later the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board) and most recently, with the Sydney Catchment Authority. The Reservoir area is aesthetically significant, as a picturesque site with a large expanse of water, parklands, landscaping and bush. The place is valuable for its recreational amenity for passive recreation, punctuating the monotony of the surrounding urban landscape. It has been used for recreation by the community for generations. It continues to regulate the release of water from Prospect Reservoir to the Lower Canal and the Sydney Distribution system. The place also contains examples of functional colonial architecture. (Sydney Water Corporation)(amended by BCubed Sustainability, 2006) The listing includes Prospect Reservoir, landscape elements and all associated structures, including pumping stations, to the property boundary. The environs of the reservoir and hence this listing also include a wide range of items, which relate to later amplification of water supply. These include examples of 1920s and 30s pumping stations, a residence, and the 72" (1,800 mm) main, constructed between the Upper Canal and Pipe Head in 1937. Later items associated with the Warragamba Supply Scheme and more modern developments include several more recent pumping stations, screening and boosting plants on the eastern and southern sides of the Reservoir, and the 84 inch (2,100 mm) water main from Prospect, to Pipe Head, completed in 1958. See listing for Veteran Hall for significance as part of the William Lawson Estate.
	Date significance updated: 25 Oct 01
	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:	Water Board
Builder/Maker:	Water Board
Construction years:	1880-1888
Physical description:	Area 1320 hectares (AM Cullen, 1995). Prospect Reservoir is Sydney's largest reservoir and stores water conveyed from Warragamba Dam, the Upper Nepean Dams (Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean) and if necessary, from the Shoalhaven Scheme, for supplying the larger component of the water distribution system of the Sydney metropolis. Located approximately 34kms west of Sydney, the reservoir is a zoned earth embankment dam, 26m high and approximately 2.2km long, with a storage capacity of 50,200 megalitres (SCA, 2009, 1) and an open capacity of 8,870 megalitres. With the completion of the main storage dams, the reservoir's function has changed from largely being a storage aparatus to the main service reservoir and sedimentation basin for the metropolitan system. Prospect Reservoir's dam is an earth dam 2210 metres long and consists essentially of a puddle clay core with shoulders of selected earth placed in layers 300mm thick. During construction these were compacted by rolling. It was completed in 1888, and in 1898 the crest level was raised by 0.5 meters. The upstream slope of the wall is pitched with locally quarried diorite blocks 450 mm thick. The curtilage includes the boundary of the grounds owned by Sydney Water Corporation and the components within it, namely; - the reservoir itself; - side spillway and channel at the southern end of the wall; - drainage and monitoring installations at the toe on the downstream face of the wall; - the access road along the toe of the downstream face of the wall; and - the outlet works which connect the stored water to the Lower Canal - consisting of outlet tower, pipelines, valve house and valve, scour lines and valves, and the other metering, screening and control installations. (Sydney Water Corporation) The listing includes Prospect Reservoir, landscape elements and all associated structures, including pumping stations, to the property boundary. The environs of the reservoir and hence this listing also include a wide range of items, which relate to later amplification of water supply. These include examples of 1920s and 30s pumping stations, a residence, and the 72" (1,800 mm) main, constructed between the Upper Canal and Pipe Head in 1937. Later items associated with the Warragamba Supply Scheme and more modern developments include several more recent pumping stations, screening and boosting plants on the eastern and southern sides of the Reservoir, and the 84 inch (2,100 mm) water main from Prospect, to Pipe Head, completed in 1958. Natural Heritage Values The immediate catchment area of the reservoir is almost entirely vegetated. This vegetation, cleared during settlement, has recovered to be one of the finest examples of the native bushland left in the western suburbs of Sydney. The bushland surrounding Prospect Reservoir is classified as Cumberland Plain Woodland (CPW). Less than 13% of CPW remains and a high proportion of this figure is heavily degrade through weed invasion, rubbish dumping, illegal vehicle use and overgrazing. In the protected catchment these degrading influences are largely absent and this is reflected in the excellent bushland condition. Cumberland Plain Woodland is listed at state and federal levels as an endangered ecological community. Legislation at both levels provides a framework for the protection of ecological communities under threat. Bushland condition is best in the northern section and decreases in the southern areas. A rapid flora survey of Prospect Reservoir (approximately 1km North from spoil site) revealed over fifty native species. Prospect Reservoir is an important refuge for many fauna species in Western Sydney. Mammals such as wombats, echidnas and eastern grey kangaroos are listed as recent sightings in the National Park species atlas. Importantly, over 12 species of bats (including threatened species) have been recorded within the vicinity of the reservoir. The bushland near the filtration plant is less diverse and more degraded than in the immediately adjacent Sydney Catchment Authority land. A similar but much more restricted suite of native species can be found there. Exotic species including Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Setaria gracilis (pigeon grass) and Eragrostis curvula (African love grass) dominate. These species are indicators of significant soil disturbance. The vegetation condition varies from a young eucalypt canopy with a low diversity understorey to eucalypt regrowth in a largely exotic pasture. Other areas are exotic pastures with no native element present. Despite the lower quality of bushland this site still has significant ecological importance. If rehabilitated, it would significantly improve ecological connectivity, especially between Prospect Reservoir and the riparian vegetation along Eastern Creek. (Greening Australia, 2006) See listing for Veteran Hall for significance as part of the William Lawson Estate.
Modifications and dates:	Extensive modifications occurred during the period 1898-1916. It is substantially intact and is constantly maintained and monitored for indications of subsidence or other which could affect the longevity of the structure. Altered again in 1934. Late 1950s and early 1960s - excavation along the southern shore to construct the Warragamba to Prospect Pipeline during the - a second pipeline linking Warragamba and Prospect was completed in 1966, significantly increasing the volume of water that could be transferred during peak demand periods. 1979-80, a major strengthening programme on the reservoir wall was completed by increasing the volume of its downstream side. The upstream face was strengthened in 1997. 1996 With the commissioning of the Prospect Water Filtration Plant in 1996, raw water transferred from Warragamba and the Upper Nepean Dams was sent directly to the treatment facility, by-passing Prospect Reservoir. However the filtration plant at Prospect can draw water directly from the Reservoir if needed. The role of the reservoir has since changed to that of a service reservoir, which covers daily fluctuations of demand in the distribution system.


Current use:	Water Supply Reservoir
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farms, Water Supply Reservoir

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal & European settler history:
The area of Prospect Reservoir is an area of known Aboriginal occupation, with favourable camping locations along the Eastern Creek and Prospect Creek catchments, and in elevated landscapes to the south. There is also evidence to suggest that the occupation of these lands continued after European contact, through discovery of intermingled galss and stone flakes in archaeological surveys of the place. The area was settled by Europeans by 1789.

Prospect Hill, Sydney's largest body of igneous rock, lies centrally in the Cumberland Plain and dominates the landscape of the area (Ashton, 2000). Very early after first settlement, on 26 April 1788, an exploration party heading west led by Governor Phillip, climbed Prospect Hill. An account by Phillip states that the exploration party saw from Prospect Hill, 'for the first time since we landed Carmathen Hills (Blue Mountains) as likewise the hills to the southward'. Phillip's 'Bellevue' (Prospect Hill) acquired considerable significance for the new settlers. Prospect Hill provided a point from which distances could be meaningfully calculated, and became a major reference point for other early explorers (Karskens 1991). When Watkin Tench made another official journey to the west in 1789, he began his journey with reference to Prospect Hill, which commanded a view of the great chain of mountains to the west. A runaway convict, George Bruce, used Prospect Hill as a hideaway from soldiers in the mid-1790's.

During the initial struggling years of European settlement in NSW, Governor Phillip began to settle time-expired convicts on the land as farmers, after the success of James Ruse at Rose Hill (Higginbotham 2000). On 18 July 1791 Phillip placed a number of men on the eastern and southern slopes of Prospect Hill, as the soils weathered from the basalt cap were richer than the sandstone derived soils of the Cumberland Plain. The grants, mostly 30 acres, encircled Prospect Hill (Ashton 2000). The settlers included William Butler, James Castle, Samuel Griffiths, John Herbert, George Lisk, Joseph Morley, John Nicols, William Parish and Edward Pugh (Higginbotham 2000).

The arrival of the first settlers prompted the first organised Aboriginal resistance to the spread of settlement, with the commencement of a violent frontier conflict in which Pemulwuy and his Bidjigal clan played a central role (Flynn 1997). On 1 May 1801 Governor King took drastic action, issuing a public order requiring that Aboriginal people around Parramatta, Prospect Hill and Georges River should be 'driven back from the settlers' habitations by firing at them'. Kings edicts appear to have encouraged a shoot-on-sight attitude whenever any Aboriginal men, women or children appeared (Flynn 1997).

With the death of Pemulwuy, the main resistance leader, in 1802, Aboriginal resistance gradually diminished near Parramatta, although outer areas were still subject to armed hostilities. Prompted by suggestions to the Reverend Marsden by local Prospect Aboriginal groups that a conference should take place 'with a view of opening the way to reconciliation', Marsden promptly organised a meeting near Prospect Hill. (ibid 1997). At the meeting, held on 3 May 1805, local Aboriginal representatives discussed with Marsden ways of ending the restrictions and indiscriminate reprisals inflicted on them by soldiers and settlers in response to atrocities committed by other Aboriginal clans (ibid 1997).

The meeting was significant because a group of Aboriginal women and a young free settler at Prospect named John Kennedy acted as intermediaries. The conference led to the end of the conflict for the Aboriginal clans around Parramatta and Prospect (Karskens 1991). This conference at Prospect on Friday 3 May 1805 is a landmark in Aboriginal/European relations. Macquarie's 'Native Feasts' held at Parramatta from 1814 followed the precedent set in 1805. The Sydney Gazette report of the meeting is notable for the absence of the sneering tone that characterised its earlier coverage of Aboriginal matters (ibid 1997).

From its commencement in 1791 with the early settlement of the area, agricultural use of the land continued at Prospect Hill. Much of the land appears to have been cleared by the 1820s and pastoral use of the land was well established by then.

When Governor Macquarie paid a visit to the area in 1810, he was favourably impressed by the comfortable conditions that had been created (Pollon & Healy, 1988, 210).

Nelson Lawson, third son of explorer William Lawson (1774-1850), married Honoria Mary Dickinson and before 1837 built "Greystanes House" as their future family home on the western side of Prospect Hill. Lawson had received the land from his father, who had been granted 500 acres here by the illegal government that followed the overthrow of Governor Bligh in 1808.

Governor Macquarie confirmed the grant, where William Lawson had built a house, which he called "Veteran Hall", because he had a commission in the NSW Veterans Company. Lawson lived in the area for 40 years until his death at the age of 76 in 1850. The exact date of completion of the house is uncertain. A date prior to Lawson crossing the Blue Mountains in May 1813, and a date c.1821 have been variously proposed. Regardless, Veteran Hall underwent continuous restructuring over its century-long existence (SWC, 2005, 15) It was a substaintial building by 1825. Its estimated size at this time was 65 sq.m., including around 8sq.m. of verandah. During the 50 years pre-1880s it was extended to around 110 sq.m., with more tahn 20 rooms and approximately 30 sq.m. of verandah.

Structural modifications appear to have been made in 1895 to accommodate a residence/office. It was occupied by the Water Board's Engineer-in-Charge of Headworks, who was overseeing construction of the Prospect Reservoir until 1912. It is claimed that the house was then leased to the Commonwealth military authority until it abandoned the area. Veteran Hall became empty and fell into disrepair. It was judged uneconomical to restore and plans were made to demolish it. Despite citizen protests the building was demolished in 1929 and remnant contents such as fittings and stone quoins were handed over tho the Vaucluse House Trust, Lawson's descendents and/or historically minded supplicants. A memorial cairn was erected in the early 1970s and now marks the site of the homestead (SCW, 2005, 16-18). The site is now partly covered by the waters of Prospect Reservoir.

Greystanes was approached by a long drive lined with an avenue of English trees - elms (Ulmus procera), hawthorns (Crataegus sp.), holly (Ilex aquifolium), and woodbine (Clematis sp.) mingling with jacarandas (J.mimosifolia). It had a wide, semi-circular front verandah supported by 4 pillars. The foundations were of stone ,the roof of slate, and the doors and architraves of heavy red cedar. It was richly furnished with articles of the best quality available and was the scene of many glittering soirees attended by the elite of the colony. Honoria Lawson died in 1845, Nelson remarried a year later, but died in 1849, and the property reverted to his father. Greystanes house was demolished in the 1940s (Pollon, 1988, 116, amended Read, S.,2006 - the house can't have been 'on the crest' of Prospect Hill as Pollon states, if its site was covered by the Reservoir).

By the 1870s, with the collapse of the production of cereal grains across the Cumberland Plain, the Prospect Hill area appears to have largely been devoted to livestock. The dwellings of the earliest settlers largely appear to have been removed by this stage. By the time that any mapping was undertaken in this vicinity, most of these structures had disappeared, making their locations difficult to pinpoint (Higginbotham 2000).

The land was farmed from 1806-1888 when the Prospect Reservoir was built.

Prospect Reservoir:
In 1867, the Governor of NSW appointed a Commission to recommend a scheme for Sydney's water supply, and by 1869 it was recommended that construction commence on the Upper Nepean Scheme. This consisted of two diversion weirs, located at Pheasant's Nest and Broughton's Pass, in the Upper Nepean River catchment, with water feeding into a series of tunnels, canals and aqueducts known as the Upper Canal. It was intended that water be fed by gravity from the catchment into a reservoir at Prospect. This scheme was to be Sydney's fourth water supply system, following the Tank Stream, Busby's Bore and the Botany (Lachlan) Swamps.

Designed and constructed by the Public Works Department of NSW, Prospect Reservoir was built during the 1880s and completed in 1888. Credit for the Upper Nepean Scheme is largely given to Edward Orpen Moriarty, the Engineer in Chief of the Habours and Rivers Branch of the Public Works Department from 1858-88 (B Cubed Sustainability, 2005, 7).

The quintessential feature of the scheme was the diversion of the Nepean River below its junction with the Avon and Cordeaux Rivers. The Peasant's Nest weir, near the township of Wilton, diverts the water through a 7km long tunnel to the Cataract River at Broughton's Pass, near the township of Appin, where a similar weir diverts the flow of the four rivers through a 58km system of tunnels, aqueducts and open channels to Prospect Creek upon which the earthen dam wall is located. When it was completed in 1888, Prospect reservoir provided the storage component of the scheme, as the weirs did not have the capacity to store water.

Between 1893 and 1916, extensive remedial works were carried out in order to correct slumps in the upstream face.

With completion of Warragamba Dam in 1960, Prospect Reservoir continued to play an important role in storing Sydney's water. A second pipeline linking Warragamba and Prospect was completed in 1966, significantly increasing the volume of water that could be transferred during peak demand periods. In 1979-80, a major strengthening programme on the reservoir wall was completed by increasing the volume of its downstream side. The upstream face was strengthened in 1997 (Sydney Water Corporation)(Caitlin Allen, Dept. of Commerce/Heritage Group, 2006).

With the commissioning of the Prospect Water Filtration Plant in 1996, raw water transferred from Warragamba and the Upper Nepean Dams was sent directly to the treatment facility, by-passing the Reservoir. However the filtration plant can draw water directly from the Reservoir if needed. This is one of the largest such facilities in the world and it has changed the role of the Reservoir to that of a service reservoir and large off-line settling basin for the Warragamba & Upper Canal systems in the event of a water quality problem, covering daily fluctuations of demand in the distribution system. Since its construction, parts of the area surrounding the reservoir have formerly been used for passive community recreation, and consequently the Water Board provided numerous parks and picnic facilities, primarily on its eastern side (B Cubed Sustainability, 2007,3)

From 2006 a new raw water pumping station and associated infrastructure were built on the reservoir's south-eastern side, including pipeline, power supply and access road.

It was formerly the major distribution reservoir for Sydney's main water supply system until the commissioning of the Prospect Water Filtration Plant in 1996. The reservoir's role has since been changed to that of an off-line storage service reservoir, which covers daily fluctuations of demand in the distribution system. The reservoir can now be drawn on when needed to supplement the Warragamba Pipeline and Upper Canal inflows into the Filtration Plant. It remains an essential component of Sydney's water supply system and therefore is critical Government infrastructure.

Scour/Outlet System:
Prior to construction of the Prospect Water Filtration PLant, the water supply was delivered to the Lower Canal via the scour/outlet system, which consists of a number of components (including submerged inlet pipelines, outlet tower with access walkway, lower valve house with outlet to the Lower Canal, scour pipelines, various control and guard valvevs, brick-lined interconnecting tunnel between outlet valve and lower valve house, with ventilation shaft and access shaft/manhole, dischange pipelines under the Sydney Water Corporation-owned picnic area and an outlet structure.

The Outlet Tower is a small octagonal brick structure standing in the Reservoir waters with access by a small riveted iron footbridge. The tower extends below water with three main platforms accessed by ladders. The interconnecting tunnel is routed in a large U running from the Outlet Tower, into the hillside, then curving back to skirt the end of the Reservoir wall.

The Lower Valve House is similar in style to the Outlet Tower and originally controlled water entering the Lower Canal. The Lower Canal was decomissioned in the 1980s, but the original equipment in the Lower Valve House remains largely intact. The tunnel extends a short distance beyond the Lower Valve House.

The Scour/Outlet system originally terminated at the end of the tunnel, with a simple brick headwall with wing-walls and iron grill gate. In the late 1970s the scour system was extended with twin concrete pipes and a new outlet structure constructed closer to Prospect Creek. At that time the area downstream and east of the Reservoir wall was re-shaped to form a public picnic area, burying the end of the tunnel and new concrete pipes.

Since decomissioning the Lower Canal, the sole purpose of the Scour/Outlet system is to allow scouring or draining of the Reservoir. This is critical to ensure dam safety and consequently the system must be adequately maintained. The primary control valves were imported from England in 1887 and are believed to be the last remaining examples of their type in the world. They are in poor condition and at high risk of failure if operated to drain the Reservoir. They are beyond their operational life and cannot be refurbished. Consequently SCA can no longer test the system as required or safely dewater the Reservoir under emergency conditions (SCA, 2009, 1).

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.	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-
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-
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.	All nations - place of first contact between Aboriginal and European peoples-
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	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	Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
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 drowned beneath dam waters-
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 urban amenity-
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 industrial production-
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	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Technologies for reticulated water supply-
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	Early 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	Early farming (cropping)-
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	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	Developing civic infrastructure and amenity-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Providing drinking water-
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 - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administering a public health system-
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 - facilitating agriculture-
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-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Governor (later Adm.) Arthur Phillip, 1788-1792,-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Lt. William Lawson, explorer, Commandant of Govt.Stores, grazier-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare statewide. This item is assessed as scientifically rare statewide.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	This item is assessed as aesthetically representative locally.
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
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Prospect Reservoir Site CMP, by Sydney Water, dated December 2005	Conservation Management Plan endorsed by Heritage Council 20 January 2006 for a period of five years, expires 20 January 2011	Jan 20 2006
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Prospect Reservoir Conservation Management Plan submitted for comment and endorsement by Sydney Catchment Authority		May 5 2011
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Draft Prospect Reservoir CMP submitted by Sydney Catchment Authority for endorsement by the Heritage Council.		May 25 2012
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		01370	18 Nov 99
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Local Environmental Plan		1988	28 Jan 94	027	0381
Local Environmental Plan	Blacktown Local Environmental Plan Amdt. 148		12 Apr 02

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Sydney Water Section 170 Register	1996		Graham Brooks and Associates		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	B Cubed Sustainability	2007	Prospect Reservoir Scour/Outlet Valve Addendum Report Heritage Impact Statement
Written	B Cubed Sustainability	2006	Prospect Reservoir Raw Water Pumping Station Heritage Impact Statement
Written	B Cubed Sustainability	2003	Prospect Reservoir: Spillway Upgrade - Discovery of Relic: s.145(b) report
Written	B Cubed Sustainability	2003	Prospect Reservoir: Spillway Upgrade Heritage Impact Statement
Written	B Cubed Sustainability P/L	2005	Prospect (Reservoir) Scour/Outlet Valve System - Heritage Impact Statement
Written	Beasley, M.	1988	By the sweat of their brows - 100 years of the Sydney Water Board 1888-1988
Written	Casey & Lowe P/L	2014	Final - Non-Indigenous Archaeological Monitoring Results - Dam Wall, Prospect Reservoir
Written	Conybeare Morrison P/L	2004	Northern Boiler Paddock Heritage Impact Statement
Written	Cullen, A.M., AWT Ensight - Environmental Management Group	1995	Conservation Plan for Prospect Reservoir	View detail
Written	Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources	2005	Private Sector Participation in Development of a Major Commercial Recreation Facility at Prospect: Call for proposals
Written	Design Plus Consultancy, with Environmental Planning P/L	2002	Homebush Bay to Fairfield Cycleway - Two Bridges, Prospect Reservoir, Heritage Assessment Report
Written	Environmental Planning P/L	2002	Review of Environmental Factors for Proposed Civil Works in Greystanes Estate
Written	ERM	2008	Lower Prospect Canal s60 Archaeological Excavation Report
Written	ERM Mitchell McCotter P/L	2006	Greystanes Estate: Southern Employment Lands Environmental Assessment Report & Supporting Documents
Written	Godden Mackay Logan	2005	Statement of Heritage Impact: proposed installation of a new system for pumping water into the Puddle Trench along the top of the dam wall
Written	Hyperion Design P/L	2013	Prospect Reservoir Darm Wall - Photographic Archival Recording
Written	Ian Perkins Consultancy Services	2004	Southern Employment Lands - Quarry Batter Rehabilitation & Management: Vegetation Management Plan
Written	NSW Government Architect's Office, Public Works	2012	Prospect Reservoir Conservation Management Plan
Written	Pollen, Francis	1996	Greystanes - in 'The Book of Sydney Suburbs'
Written	Prospect Aquatic Investments Ltd.	2010	Wet n Wild Sydney - Preliminary Environment Assessment Report
Written	Urban Bushland Management Consultants P/L	2003	Conservation Assessment - opportunities and constrains report for 'Northern Boiler Paddock', Prospect

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5045336
File number:	13/11986; 10/6093; H00/00235

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