Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves

Item details

Name of item: Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves
Other name/s: Zig Zag Railway
Type of item: Landscape
Group/Collection: Landscape - Cultural
Category: Other - Transport - Rail
Location: Lat: -33.4758822241 Long: 150.1978747000
Primary address: Brewery Lane, Lithgow, NSW 2790
Parish: Lett
County: Cook
Local govt. area: Lithgow
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Bathurst
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT7 DP788554
PART LOT9 DP788554
PART LOT9 DP788554
LOT10 DP831103
LOT11 DP831103
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Brewery LaneLithgowLithgowLettCookPrimary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Department of Planning and EnvironmentState Government30 Sep 97

Statement of significance:

The Great Zig Zag Railway had a profound influence upon the development and economy of western New South Wales. At the time it was the greatest civil engineering work in Australia and was considered worldwide as an engineering marvel. It reflects the difficulty experienced in crossing the Blue Mountains and engineering compromises enforced by economics. The reserve is a fine scenic attraction and the sandstone escarpments and viaducts provide a dramatic juxtaposition to the urban development of nearby Lithgow. (Department of Planning 1987:2) (J. Lesslie, M. Klam, A. Cargill).
Date significance updated: 30 Sep 97
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: John Whitton
Builder/Maker: Patrick Higgins (contractor)
Construction years: 1863-1869
Physical description: The Great Zig Zag Railway consists of three sections:
1)the 'top road';
2) the 'middle road' and
3) the 'bottom road'.
Located on the 'top road' is number one viaduct.
The top points are located where 'top road' and 'middle road' join. Beyond this two 'T' bridges and a stone arch are located at the entrance to the 'wing' where the train terminated before proceeding to the 'middle road'

Located on the 'middle road' is number one and number two viaduct and number one tunnel and a cutting which was originally proposed to be number two tunnel. At the end of 'middle road' is the bottom 'wing'. Engineered ledges hewn in the mountainside provide enough room for the railway line (Fookes).

The site has an Institute of Enginerrs (Australia) Nationa Engineering Landmark plaque
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential: 		Physical condition is excellent. Archaeological potential is low.

2019:
Tunnels, viaducts, culverts and retaining walls are in remarkable condition, but important repair and conservation work is required to enable them to be retained in their original state and prevent further deterioration. Disastrous bush fires in 2013 and subsequent flood damage affected the site. The viaducts' stone work is in need of essential remediation - cracks in the facing of some keystones, an impost stone between pier 3-4 on no. 1 viaduct requires replacing. There are generalised cracks, erosion and delamination to other stones on the facing sides of some viaducts. Large cracks will require pinning to stabilise. Stone parapets above tunnels require clearing and drain holes (to be) created in order to allow water to escape. An extensive vegetation clearance program is required to ensure structures are not undermined and routine inspection can be carried out more comprehensively. The CMP has emphasised the need to better maintain vegetation right across the reserve to reduce risk of fire damage and improve vistas (grant application, 3/2019).
Modifications and dates: Construction began in 1863. Line opened 1869.
1880 Railway line duplicated.

1908 new 'top' and 'bottom' wings opened.
1910 The Great Zig Zag Railway was closed (Fookes).

1975 GZZR was adapted to host a full-size, narrow-gauge tourist railway operating steam locomotive up and down the lower end of the Great Zig Zag.
By 1985, the tourist use led to installing car-parking facilities, picnic and barbequeing facilities
1986, operations extended along Top Road and through the Clarence Tunnel to site of second Clarence Station adjacent to Chifley Road (Extent, 2019, 28).

1993 Oakey Park Signal Box was dismantled and re-erected at Bottom Points (having been dismanlted from Oakey Park and re-erected in 1910 near No. 10 Tunnel as the 'Zig Zag Signal Box' (ibid, 2019, 29).

2002 Cooerwull Railway Footbridge relocated and re-erected at Top Points from original location at Lithgow (ibid, 2019, 29).

2013 major bushfire raged through area, destroying many buildings, rolling stock, severly damaging track and infrastructure (ibid, 2019, 5). It destroyed six 3' 6" gauge timber railway carriages, four 4' 8.5" gauge static timber accommodation carriages and a rail motor (2016) at Bottom Points and at Clarence Station. In the Depot Shed, the offices and workshop were destroyed, including all services such as water, electricity, phones and the radio repeater. Several containers of spare parts were also destroyed. Additionally many wooden sleepers along the track required replacement (ibid, 2019, 29-30).
Current use: Working railway museum
Former use: Aboriginal land, railway

History

Historical notes: After consideration of several alternate routes the Great Western Railway was extended along the high ridge of the Darling Causeway from Mt Victoria. The descent to the Lithgow Valley was originally proposed by means of a tunnel. In 1866 the tunnel was estimated to be about two miles in length and a figure of $800,000 was set down as the cost of its construction. However, due to the enormous cost, construction time and, as John Whitton, Engineer-in-Chief of the NSW Railways reported at the time, it would have been difficult to get a contractor to undertake such difficult work. As a result John Whitton selected the zig zag method of ascent and descent. (Fooke)

John Whitton and his work have been underrated in Australian history, although they provided the operational foundation of the main railway lines in New South Wales. In international references Whitton is recognised as one of approximately twenty of the greatest railway civil engineers in the first century of world railway construction. The achievement of his crossings of the Great Divide was superlative at the time and in terms of British railway civil engineering was only exceeded by the difficult crossing of the Indian Ghats. (Department of Planning 1987)

The contract to build the Great Zig Zag was awarded to Mr Patrick Higgins in May 1866. It was for the Clarence to Wallerawang section of railway which consisted of seven stone viaducts, varying in height from 10 to 70 feet, three tunnels and nearly one and a quarter million cubic yards of excavations, two-thirds through rock (Fooke).

George McGarvie Donald (later MLA) of Lithgow was a master stone mason and builder who helped create the city of Lithgow. Born in Paddington in 1846, he was son of a Scottish stone mason George Donald. George senior had been encouraged to migrate to New South Wales by Governor Macquarie who wished him to assist with government building works. George junior did an apprenticeship as a stone mason under his father and uncle. After this he was engaged on railway construction projects in the Bowenfles district in the late 1860s. He worked on stone railway bridges at the Great Zig Zag and Marrangaroo, and married Marion Miles, daughter of one of the construction foremen. Following compleiton othe railway he moved to Hill End and worked on a range of construction projects. Among these was Hill End Methodist church, built of basalt rubble from the gold mines. It is now used as an Anglican church. After the failure of the deep lead gold boom of the 1870s George returned to the Lithgow valley and established a construction business with Thomas Crowe. In the early 1880s he constructed St.Mary's Presbyterian church for Thomas Brown, built as a memorial to Brown's wife, Mary. He also built Cooerwull Academy for Brown, and the Churcch of St. John the Evangelist at Wallerawang. Other projects included Lithgow Town Hall, Wallerawang Public School the Lithgow Oddfellows Hall and many residences. Donald and Crowe also built Mort's freezing works. George Donald was extremely active in community affairs and had a great sense of social justice. He was founding member of the GUIOOF Lily of the Valley Lodge and the Good Templars Lodge. Popular among citizens he was elected the first mayor of Lithgow after establishment of the Municipality of Lithgow in 1889. He held the seat of Hartley in the NSW Legislative Assembly jointly with Joseph Cook from 1891. (ibid, 2014, 32-33).

On the 18th October 1869 the first official train ran across the Zig Zag to Bowenfels. This event was heralded worldwide as an engineering marvel resulting in many organised sight-seeing parties from overseas to view it.

Between 1869 and 1910 the railway was a major force in the development of western New South Wales. Eventually traffic became so dense, due to the growth of the railway system through the spread of settlement, together with the loss of time in working over the Great Zig Zag, that alternatives were considered. From the 1880s many inquiries and investigations were held including consideration of John Whitton's original proposal for a two mile tunnel.

In 1881, the entire area was declared a Public Reserve, extending from Clarence Tunnel to Lithgow Valley. (Extent, 2019, 26).

In 1904 a goods engine burst through the buffer stops located at the top 'wing' and almost fell into the valley below. To alleviate the congestion until a new deviation opened the 'top' and 'bottom' wings were improved. The 'top' wing was abandoned and a new line constructed which involved a sharp curve, heavy rock excavations and earth filings to a depth of 60 feet. The 'bottom' wing was lengthened without any re-location.

In 1908 (Extent, 2019, 26 say in 1906) work began on the existing deviation with its 10 tunnels and easier grade. This commenced at the Newnes Junction station, a stopping place and junction for the private Newnes line, which operated in 1907 (ibid, 2019, 26).

On 16 October 1910 the new deviation was opened for traffic and the Great Zig Zag closed. (Fooke). The Great Zig Zag section of railway line was replaced in 1910 by this deviation, containing ten tunnels, allowing a progressive change in altitude, and the original line, with the Great Zig Zag, was stripped and abandoned (Extent, 2019, 5). The site fell into disuse, the Zig Zag remained a tourist attraction and a platform was established at Bottom Points for sightseers and picknickers. In 1939 and through the (second world) war, the Bells Line of Road was upgraded as an alternative route over the mountains, and, associated with this, a section of the original railway alignment was established as Chifley Road, a subsection of Bells Line of Road between Bell and Lithgow, in 1939. This road opened up vehicular access to the Zig Zag reserve (Extent, 2019, 28).

The Reserve had been, from the 1880s, one of several small reserves supervised by the Blaxland Shire Council. In 1946, it was added to the existing Reserve Trust that administered Hassans Walls (in Lithgow). The Hassans Walls and Zig Zag Reserves Trust opened Top Road to road traffic in 1949. In 1964 it added a picnic shelter under No. 1 Viaduct and named the area 'Cockerton Place' after H.K.Cockerton, who had served as a Trust member for 17 years and instigated development of the Zig Zag Reserve. In 1969, the Zig Zag Reserve was transferred from Blaxland Shire Council to the City of Lithgow. Additional picnic shelters were provided (ibid, 28).

In 1967 and 1968, a group of rail enthusiasts proposed to establish a steam tourist railway to help preserve the use of steam locomotives on the Great Zig Zag. Negotiations between this group, the Zig Zag Reserve Trust, Department of Lands and Lithgow City Coucnil were underway in 1969. By 1972, the group had formed the Zig Zag Co-operative, a not-for-profit co-op., to install track and acquire rolling stock (ibid, 2019, 28).

The abandoned railway section was adapted in 1975 to host a full-size, narrow-gauge tourist railway operating steam locomotive up and down the lower end of the Great Zig Zag, operated by a voluntary, 'not-for-profit' co-operative (ibid, 2019, 5).

By 1985, the tourist railway line had carried over half a million passengers. To cater for their needs, car-parking facilities, as well as picnic and barbequeing facilities, were provided. In 1986, operations were extended along Top Road and through the Clarence Tunnel to the site of the second Clarence Station adjacent to Chifley Road. In the early 1990s, Zig Zag Railway Co-Op. Lotd was appointed as the manager of the affairs of the Zig Zag Reserve Trust (ibid, 2019, 28).

In 1993 the Oakey Park Signal Box was (again, i.e. for a second time) dismantled and re-erected at Bottom Points, by the Zig Zag Railway Co-operative. This signal box was originally built in 1890 at Oakey Park, to control trains moving into and out of Oakey Park and Valey collieries onto the main line. It was dismantled and re-erected in 1910 near No. 10 Tunnel as the 'Zig Zag Signal Box'. With electrification of the western line to Lithgow and introduction of automatic signalling introduced in 1959, Zig Zag ceased to be a block station. Unused, vibration by heavy coal trains progressively caused the Signal Box to tilt towards the main line and it was in danger of collapse. This led to its 1993 relocation and re-erection (ibid, 2019, 29).

In 2002, the Cooerwull Railway Footbridge was relocated and re-erected at Top Points from its original location at Lithgow. It was built in 1941 as a low-cost temporary wartime railway footbridge for workers at the nearby Small Arms Factory. It is believed to be the only A-frame timber bridge built in the state, built to the simplest design with local materials (ibid, 2019, 29).

In 2013, a major bushfire raged through the area, destroying many of the buildings and rolling stock and severly damaging the track and infrastructure (ibid, 2019, 5). The fire destroyed six 3' 6" gauge timber railway carriages, four 4' 8.5" gauge static timber accommodation carriages and a rail motor (2016) at Bottom Points and at Clarence Station. In the Depot Shed, the offices and workshop were destroyed, including all the services such as water, electricity, phones and the radio repeater. Several containers of spare parts were also destroyed. Additionally many wooden sleepers along the track required replacement (ibid, 2019, 29-30). Since that time, volunteers have been working slowly to repair the system and reinstate the tourist railway operations (ibid, 2019, 5).

Subsequent to the 2013 bushfires, flood damage affected the site (grant application, 3/2019).

To celebrate 150th anniversary of the railway line to Bowenfels, the NSW Rail Museum will bring a special heritage train to Lithgow as part of a weekend's celebrations (Lithgow Mercury, 17/10/19).

In 2019, the Zig Zag Railway was burnt by the major Gospers Mountain bushfire. When the massive emergency-level mega-blaze burnt towards Zig Zag on December 20-21, the non-profit Railway Co-op Ltd lost an office, some small buildings, a toilet block and many sleepers - but firefighters were able to save the critical infrastructure and carriages. "While there's a lot of damage and there's a lot of work to do, it could have been a lot worse," Zig Zag's spokeswoman told The News. "We were very lucky not to lose the (train) station and the top point signal box."
(Petrinic, 2020).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal 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. Cultural: Cliffs and escarpments influencing human settlement-
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: Mountains and peaks providing landmarks for humans-
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 Significant Places: How are significant places marked in the landscape of Parramatta by, or for, different groups?-Monuments and Sites
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of scenic beauty-
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 cultural and natural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing national landmarks-
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 Travelling to and within remote areas-
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 Development in response to railway lines-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Building and maintaining the public railway system-
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 Public tramline system-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Administering the public railway system-
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 Naming places (toponymy)-
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 Planning relationships between key structures and town plans-
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 Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
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 natural environment-
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 Outlying settlements-
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 the social life of a rural community-
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 Shaping alpine settlements-
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 A quiet Rural District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages 19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis Railways to inland settlements-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Railway work culture-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. State government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Monuments-
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. Capturing iconic landscapes in art-
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. work of stonemasons-
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 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. Technological innovation and design solutions-
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. Designing in an exemplary architectural style-
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. Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Tourism-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going hunting and shooting-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going bushwalking-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Climbing mountains and peaks-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting lookouts and places of natural beauty-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing clubs for social improvement-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Places of informal community gatherings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing and maintaining a local museum-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Joining together to study and appreciate philosophy-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Belonging to an institution for self improvement-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Belonging to a trade union-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Patrick Higgins, builder-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with George Donald MLA, Lithgow mason, building contractor, first Mayor, MLA for Hartley-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with George Donald MLA, Lithgow mason, building contractor, first Mayor, MLA for Hartley-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with John Whitton, Chief Engineer, NSW Government Railways-

Assessment of significance

SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance] 		It is of historical significance because upon completion it triggered extensive development and had a profound influence on the economy of western New South Wales. It contributed to the economy of western New South Wales to such an extent that it could not handle the volume of traffic and had to be replaced. (Department of Planning 1987:2)
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance] 		The reserve is a fine scenic attraction in itself, offering superb views of the rugged sandstone valleys and escarpments leading to the western plains. It serves to provide a dramatic juxtaposition to the urban development of nearby Lithgow suburbs. The three main viaducts are particularly pleasing structures. (J. Lesslie, M. Klam, A. Cargill)
SHR Criteria d)
[Social significance] 		It reflects the difficulty experienced in crossing the Blue Mountains and engineering compromises enforced by economics. (Department of Planning 1987:2)
SHR Criteria e)
[Research potential] 		At the time of building the Great Zig Zag Railway was regarded as the greatest civil engineering work in Australia at that time and attracted worldwide interest as an engineering marvel. (Department of Planning 1987:2)
Assessment criteria: Items are assessed against the PDF 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 CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementReview a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act Record converted from HIS events


Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; Eradication of noxious plants and animals; Maintenance and repair of existing access roads; Tree lopping and vegetation clearance associated with the maintenance of existing overhead power lines; and the engaging in or carrying out any of the activities referred to in subsection 57(1) of the heritage Act 1977, in respect of the repair and maintenance of train-operation infrastructure. 		Jan 22 1988
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act See File For Schedule


Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; and
(2) eradication of noxious plants and animals;
(3) Maintenance and repair of existing access roads;
(4) tree lopping and vegetation clearance associated with the maintenance of existing power lines; and
(5) the engaging in or carrying out of any of the activities referred to in section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977, in respect of the repair and maintenance of train operation infrastructure. 		Jan 20 1989
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard 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

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0054202 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0054220 Jan 89 50340
Local Environmental Plan  09 Dec 94   
National Trust of Australia register   24 Feb 76   

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenAnthony Prescott - Heritage and Conservation Branch - Department of Planning1987Branch Manager's Report to the Heritage Council
TourismAttraction Homepage2007Great Zig Zag Railway View detail
WrittenChristison, Ray2014'The church that helped the Chinese revolution' View detail
WrittenExtent Heritage Advisors2019The Great Zig Zag - Conservation Management Plan - draft
WrittenGill, Alan (NSW Dept. of Planning)1989The Zig Zag Railway
TourismHeritage NSW2013Zig Zag Railway View detail
WrittenJ. Lesslie, M. Klam, A. Cargill1976National Trust Classification Card
WrittenPetrinic, Isabell2020Blue Mountains bushfires: Zig Zag Railway fire damage fails to de-rail 2020 comeback
WrittenR.S. Fookes Some Historical Notes on the Great Zig Zag
TourismTourism NSW2007Zig Zag Railway - STEAM UP View detail
Writtenunattributed, in Blue Mountains Gazettte2022Zig Zag Railway on track View detail

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: 5045513
File number: S90/04091 & HC 31135

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