Pymble Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 0097)

Item details


Name of item:	Pymble Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 0097)
Other name/s:	(WS 0097)
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Utilities - Water
Category:	Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam
Location:	Lat: -33.7413453761 Long: 151.1391059160
Primary address:	Pacific Highway, Pymble, NSW 2073
Local govt. area:	Ku-Ring-Gai
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1		DP	551850
LOT	4		DP	744950

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Pacific Highway	Pymble	Ku-Ring-Gai			Primary Address
Telegraph Road	Pymble	Ku-Ring-Gai			Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Sydney Water	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Pymble Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 97) is one of a small group of covered reservoirs. Together with Pymble Reservoir No.2 (Covered) (WS 98), they demonstrate the variation and development in construction technology and the high level of engineering skill available to the MWS&DB. The two reservoirs on the Pacific Highway at Pymble form an important group of covered reservoirs, integral with fine examples of valve houses. The valve houses preserve their original valve control gear, which is extremely rare in the SWC system. All covered reservoirs are highly significant within the SWC system, since all differ in construction technology, design and architectural detailing. All therefore contribute to our understanding of the development of covered reservoirs in NSW. The listing includes the reservoir and all associated features, pipework, valves and valve houses to the property boundary.
	Date significance updated: 02 Dec 02
	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


Physical description:	Pymble Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 97) is a circular brick covered reservoir with an octagonal brick entrance chamber constructed at the centre of its roof. The entrance chamber has a concial Marseilles tile roof. The reservoir has cast iron roof ventilation caps, as at Petersham Reservoir (Covered) (WS 89), Waverley Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 132) and Randwick Reservoir (WS 101). Adjacent to the reservoir, on the Telegraph Road frontage is an octagonal valve house, of rendered brick, with parapet and flat roof. The valve house has a steel grated floor and an access ladder to the valve below. Plantings include: oleander. The site is occupied by the Pymble Bowling Club clubhouse, while the adjacent covered reservoir (Pymble Reservoir No.2 (Covered) (WS 98)) is used as the bowling green for the club. The recreational and open space usage of the roof of the reservoir is a historical and important feature of most covered reservoirs. Full Service Level: 173 m. Capacity: 2.3 ML.
Modifications and dates:	Pool type fencing added in the late 20th Century.
Further information:	See other listings in Covered Reservoir Group.


Current use:	Reservoir.
Former use:	Reservoir.

History

Historical notes:

Pymble Reservoir No.1 (Covered) (WS 97).

Northern Suburbs Supply.

When the Board took over from Sydney City Council in 1888, the only supply to the northern suburbs was by a submarine main from Dawes Point to Milsons Point, taking water by gravitation from Paddington Reservoir. The level of Paddington Reservoir limited supply to the lower areas of the N Sydney.

In 1888, in order to overcome this problem, the Board erected a pumping station in Junction Street, N Sydney, with two storage tanks in the grounds of St. Thomas’ Church, to meet demand for the higher parts of N Sydney. The plant was dismantled in 1892, the pump being transferred to Carlton and the tanks to Wahroonga. The above submarine main was abandoned in 1917.

In 1892 the Ryde Pumping Station was commissioned, supplied by mains from Potts Hill (via Rookwood Cemetery, along the Concord Peninsula and attached to the 1889 railway bridge at Meadowbank), with reservoirs at Ryde Pumping Station (disused 1930) and Ryde Hill and then by mains to a pair of reservoirs at Chatswood (previously constructed in 1888).

With increasing population of the N Shore, brought about by the construction of the railway, new storage reservoirs were required. The tanks, originally at N Sydney, were transferred to Wahroonga in 1896. A steam powered pumping station was erected at Chatswood in 1895 for the supply of Wahroonga. A new steel surface reservoir was constructed at Wahroonga in 1898.

From Wahroonga the main from Chatswood extended to Hornsby, with a branch to Thornleigh and Beecroft.

Pymble Reservoir was constructed in 1900 to meet local supply.

The mains from Chatswood to Wahroonga had deteriorated by 1905, necessitating new direct mains from Ryde to Wahroonga, and from Chatswood to Pymble to connect to the former main.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Cultural: 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.	Changing the environment-
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	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	(none)-
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-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	This reservoir demonstrates the high level of demand by a populous suburban community. This reservoir or site demonstrates the amplification in demand due to growing population.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The two reservoirs on the Pacific Highway at Pymble form an important group of covered reservoirs, integral with fine examples of valve houses, most of which preserve their original valve control gear.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	This reservoir demonstrates the broad range of construction techniques and high level of technical expertise available for covered reservoir construction. All covered reservoirs are highly significant within the SWC system, since all differ in construction technology, design and architectural detailing. All therefore contribute to our understanding of the development of covered reservoirs in NSW.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	One of a small group of large covered reservoirs in brick or concrete, each demonstrating differences in construction, design and architectural detailing.
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:

Manage the place and its significant components in accordance with the Heritage Council State Owned Heritage Asset Management Guidelines and the Minimum Standards of Maintenance and Repair in the NSW Heritage Regulations. Manage significant site elements in accordance with a Conservation Management Plan (CMP). If no CMP exists, consult with Asset Management Commercial Services with respect to commissioning a CMP. When commissioning a CMP, do so in accordance with the Model Brief for CMPs available on ConnectNet. Seek endorsement of the CMP from the Heritage Council of NSW. Works undertaken in accordance with a Heritage Council-endorsed CMP do not require further approval under the NSW Heritage Act. Involve heritage professionals as required under the terms of the CMP, or as otherwise determined necessary. Review CMP every 5 years or in a major change of circumstances, whichever is sooner. Review of a CMP should only be undertaken following consultation with Asset Management Commercial Services . When commissioning a CMP review, do so in accordance with the Model Brief for CMPs available on ConnectNet. Where no CMP is in place, or where works are outside the scope of the existing CMP, assess heritage impacts of proposed works in accordance with Sydney Water Environment Impact Assessment guidelines (e.g. undertake a Heritage Assessment and/or Statement of Heritage Impact as required, obtain Heritage Council approval as required). Consult with the Heritage Manager, Environment and Innovation, when major works are planned which affect items of State heritage significance. Undertake archival and photographic recording before major changes, in accordance with Heritage Council guidelines. Lodge copies of the archival record with the Sydney Water Archives and the NSW Heritage Office. Where the item is listed in a Local Environmental Plan Schedule of Heritage items, determine if works are exempt from approval under the LEP provisions. Where works are not exempt, obtain necessary approvals from the local council, in accordance with SWC EIA Guidelines.

Procedures /Exemptions

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

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

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01632	15 Nov 02	220	9709
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Alexandra Canal Conservation Management Plan	2004		NSW Department of Commenrce, Heritage Design Services		Yes

References, internet links & images

None

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:	5053870

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.