- A collection of 22 sites along C.Y. O'Connor's Golden Pipeline have been included in the State Register of Heritage Places
- Retired heritage listed sections will be appropriately interpreted for community benefit
- The iconic Goldfields Water Supply Scheme continues to service more than 100,000 people from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and parts of the Great Southern
Western Australia's 120-year-old water supply infrastructure built by C.Y. O'Connor has been included in the State Register of Heritage Places.
The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme - also known as the Golden Pipeline - runs over 566 kilometres, delivering water from the Mundaring Weir to the Eastern Goldfields.
When it opened in early 1903, the scheme included a series of steam pumping stations, reservoirs and receiving tanks, and was the longest overland pipeline in the world.
The 22 sites within the registered area span 17 locations, and include:
- the original steam pump station buildings;
- a selection of staff accommodation;
- original and second-generation reservoirs and tank sites;
- archaeological sites; and
- equipment associated with the construction and operation of the pipeline.
The pipeline remains in service today, with parts of the system removed or replaced over time to ensure continued water delivery to more than 100,000 people from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and parts of the Great Southern.
The Water Corporation will explore ways to interpret and recognise the heritage significance of the scheme's retired sections, to suit their respective communities.
More information is available online at http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/public/.
As stated by Heritage Minister David Templeman:
"I am delighted to confirm the inclusion of one of Western Australia's innovative public engineering feats in the State Register of Heritage Places.
"The success of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme over more than a century is a great legacy of the robust design and construction - that also helped shape our economy and identity.
"While the pipeline itself is not included in this registration - due to it being added to the National Heritage List in 2011 - these 22 sites have significantly contributed to its success, and will add new and interesting stories to the already popular Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"The inclusion of these iconic Kalgoorlie-Boulder pipeline elements on the State Register of Heritage Places is a win for our community.
"The interpretation options being explored by the Water Corporation will add welcome new visitor experiences to the region."
