Megarritys Bridge

Item details


Name of item:	Megarritys Bridge
Other name/s:	Warragamba Pipeline - Warragamba Emergency Scheme - Megarritys Bridge
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Water
Category:	Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Location:	Lat: -33.8744092727697 Long: 150.611221308317
Primary address:	Warragamba Dam, Warragamba, NSW 2752
Local govt. area:	Wollondilly
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Tharawal

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	5	DP	1055236
LOT	6	DP	1055236
LOT	8	DP	1055236
LOT	1124	DP	1159978

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Warragamba Dam	Warragamba	Wollondilly			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Water NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Megarritys Bridge is considered to be of high significance as it serves the function of carrying the major Warragamba pipeline across Megarritys Creek. It is historically associated with the Warragamba Emergency Scheme, and at the time of construction, was one of the largest concrete arch bridges to be built in NSW. It is a unique item of engineering heritage as its design is based on an innovative 'bow string' arch design rather than the more common 'decked' arch design.
	Date significance updated: 22 Mar 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


Builder/Maker:	METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE BOARD
Physical description:	The construction incoporated an arch formwork design using tubular steel scaffolding. It is believed that this was the first instance in NSW of the use of this material for such load carrying purposes.
Modifications and dates:	Substantially as designed, but with an increase in height of the crest of 5.1m with post tensioning anchors undertaken in 1989 as part of interim flood mitigation works.
Further information:	National Trust (NSW) Listing, January 1989, Clive Lucas Stapleton with John Collocott, Warragamba Dam Conservation Analysis and Management Guidelines for items of European Cultural Significance, 1994; McGlynn, JE 'The Warragamba Emergency Scheme 1937-1940', historical research section, 'Warragamba Dam Operations Manual', Water Board, Vols 1 & 2, 16 June, 1993


Current use:	bridge
Former use:	(Gundungurra) traditional lands, squatting, farming, timber getting, bridge

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).

Upper Nepean Scheme:
The Upper Nepean Scheme was commenced in 1880 after supply from the Botany Swamps became insufficient to meet Sydney's growing water supply needs. The Upper Nepean Scheme was based on the diversion of the waters of four rivers, the Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean, into a series of tunnels, canals and pipelines, collectively known as the Upper Canal, to be conveyed for storage in Prospect Reservoir, from which supply to Sydney was drawn.

By 1902, however, the water supply was found to be inadequate and a Royal Commission was held which recommended impounding the waters of the Cataract River by means of a major storage dam. The Cataract Dam was completed in 1907.

In November 1918, a Board of Experts was appointed by the Government to draw up recommendations for the amplification of the Sydney water supply. It was upon the recommendations of this body, as approved by the Public Works Committee of the NSW Parliament, that not only Cordeaux, but also Avon and Nepean Dams were built. The Cordeaux Dam was completed in 1926 and the Avon Dam in 1927, on the Cordeaux and Avon Rivers respectively. As Cordeaux and Avon Dams were approaching completion, a fourth dam, Nepean Dam, was commenced in 1925 (Hannam, 2016, 16).

Warragamba Dam:
Warragamba Dam was constructed from 1947-1960, along with adjacent Warragamba township, by the MWS&DB with its own forces with various items being let on contract. Constructed of mass concrete in block sections, a total of 3 million tons of concrete was used to construct the straight gravity wall which featured a height of 137m from foundation to crest.

When Warragamba dam opened in 1960, amid great fanfare, the official government booklet text stated: 'The building of the Warragamba Dam resulted in the flooding of the Burragorang Valley, drowning what was once the secluded haunt of aborigines and, later, a fertile farming district and popular holiday resort. The settlers have gone: the farms, guesthouses and the little schools and churches have been demolished; and water many feet deep covers the ground where they once stood' (Spearitt, 2019).

Premier Bob Heffron opened Warragamba Dam in 1960. It had taken 12 years for the Water Board to build and held 452,000 million gallons of water, nearly four times the amount of water in Sydney Harbour. The project cost 35.5 million pounds. 'We have come a long way from the Tank Stream, Sydney's first water supply' he said. 'State Government authorities, and the Local Government Department in particular, are planning for Sydney to accommodate a population of five million by the year 2000'. The engineer-in-chief of the Water Board, Mr T.B. Nicol, said Warragamba Dam was propobaly the largest every built for water supply. The Warragamba Gorge was recognised as an ideal dam site in 1845, but experts then said the building of a dam there was impossible. Mr Heffron unveiled a plaque in memory of 10 men who lost their lives in building the dam. As he declared the dam open a concrete bucket on an overhead crane lifted the drapes from a monument with plaques set in polished aggregate containing samples of stone used in the dam. About 3000 dam workers and their families, and children from Warragamba school, sat on grassed slopes on either side of the official dais. In front of the dais were about 1000 guests, including federal and state MPs, aldermen and councillors, senior public servants, leading businessmen and industrialists. Water Board employees at Warragamba Dam township would be given the opportunity of buying their houes' said Mr Heffron, noting some anxiety by the people about the future of the town. 'The board has received two tenders for the purchse of the town, but before considering these the board will find out the wishes of employees living here. They will be asked to say by the end of the year if they wish to buy the houses they occupy. Other employees will be given the opportunity of buying houses which may become vacant by that time.' (SMH, 14/10/2020).

Megarrity's Creek Bridge:
Megarritys Creek Bridge is a concrete arch bridge spanning Megarritys Creek. The construction of the bridge provided a vital link across the Creek for the operation of the Warragamba Emergency Scheme. While it was designed eventually to carry the No. 1 106" outlet main from Warragamba Dam, for the Emergency Scheme it carried the 48" main from the weir to Prospect Reservoir.

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.	Cultural: Rivers and water bodies important to humans-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Modification of terrain-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	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 and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Technologies for reticulated water supply-
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 of bridge building-
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	Bridging rivers-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Utilities-Activities associated with the provision of services, especially on a communal basis	Water and drainage-
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 - 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-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - providing reticulated water-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare statewide. This item is assessed as scientifically rare statewide.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

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

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	01367	18 Nov 99
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register	465194
Local Environmental Plan
National Trust of Australia register
Within a National Trust conservation area

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Sydney Water Heritage Study	1996	465194	Graham Brooks and Associates Pty Ltd	1 JULY 1996	Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Hannam, Peter	2016	'Controversial South32 mine wins nod - Mining: concerns for groundwater'
Written	Spearitt, Peter	2019	RAHS Day Lecture - Where History Happened - Warragamba Dam'
Written	Sydney Morning Herald	2020	'From the Archives, 1960: Warragamba Dam officially open'	View detail

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

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5051476
File number:	465194

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.