Bickley Brook Reservoir Group

Child Places

• 13868 Bickley Reservoir/Dam
• 13869 Bickley Recreation Camp
• 13870 Hardinge Park

Statement of Significance

Bickley Reservoir, built in 1921, has historic value as it provided an important water source for Perth residents before Churchman's Brook was activated.

The reservoir has social value as it has been a popular destination for social gatherings since the 1920s.

The pipe track has historic value as its remnants illustrate the connection between the reservoir and the water supply to the city.

Physical Description

The Bickley Brook Reservoir Group consists of a variety of buildings as well as the actual reservoir all set amidst the Darling Scarp in the Bickley Valley. The Bickley Camp which is located at the western end of the reservoir provides accommodation in dormitories and on camp sites as well as a dining room, meeting room, office, cook’s quarters, manager’s residence and general visitor facilities including picnic area and gazebo.

The reservoir was constructed to provide water to Perth but was taken out of service in 1936 and has been part of the area’s recreational facilities since the 1940s. The western end of the reservoir terminates with a concrete wall that is over 191m wide and 13m high and holds back over 100,000 cubic metres of water.

The camp complex contains a number of original timber framed structures with weatherboard and fibre cement sheet cladding. The meeting room, located on the southern boundary of the site, is one of the original buildings. The office, dining room, camp manager’s house, cook’s quarters and dormitories are all sited within close proximity to each other and are predominantly centred around the amphitheatre.

The camp facilities are all located on the lower side of the access road orientated towards the reservoir and sit comfortably and unobtrusively amongst the natural environment.

History

Bickley Brook Reservoir was built in 1920-21 as a stopgap measure to alleviate the ongoing issue of an adequate water supply for Perth. It supplemented the water supply to the city via the Bickley Pipe Track. The Pipe Track was located along what is now Hardinge Road, Maddington Road and Bickley Road, through Orange Grove, Maddington, Kenwick and Beckenham. Up to that time, people relied on rainwater tanks and wells for their domestic water, and on the river and creeks for irrigation for the orchards, vineyards and market gardens.

The presence of E.coli in the water from the Bickley Reservoir led to the decision to resume all land in the catchment area. Bickley Reservoir was taken out of service in 1936, when the Canning Dam was put into service, and the water was used for irrigation until 1944. The area was then set aside for recreational purposes and Bickley Recreation Camp was established.

During World War One, many conscripts were unable to meet the standards of fitness and health required by the armed forces so in the latter half of the 1930s, unrest in Europe and the rise of Fascist powers and their prominent youth movements caused the Commonwealth nations to look at measures to address this issue in the event of another war. The National Fitness Council was established in 1938 with the aim of promoting physical fitness, especially among the young. A Camps and Hostels Committee was formed in 1942 and the first State Youth Camp was established at Bickley.

The initial work was done by committee members and volunteer workers and included cleaning up the site, laying paths and erecting buildings, including a lecture hut, kitchen, store and shower block. Accommodation was in tents at first and later in bungalows. The camp was opened by the Minister for Education and Social Services, John Tonkin in 1945.

A number of community groups were involved in the place - Scouts, Girl Guides, YMCA, YWCA, many church groups, the Junior Red Cross, Rural Youth Movement, Gould League and Football Clubs. More buildings were erected and in the mid-1960s, the old school from Carilla, near Pickering Brook, was transferred to the site. A 50m swimming pool was created in the reservoir, jetties were built by two local men, George White (grandson of Jabez White) and Bill Webster, and an amphitheatre and several memorials added. Commemorative stones, seats etc. were built by Hans Jenal. The Gould League has contributed enormously to the understanding of the area by laying trails. Facilities have been constantly improved for the greater enjoyment and appreciation of the beautiful setting and the flora and fauna. In 1978 the Reservoir was drained and cleaned to make it safe for swimming. Over the years activities held at the camp have included among other things swimming camps, social functions, water polo, athletic groups, Scout and Guide groups, youth drama and art groups. A manager resides on the site.

In 1993 Bickley Pump Station was constructed to pump water through to the new Victoria Dam Reservoir during the wetter months, and a recreation area (Hardinge Park) was established below the catchment area. This meant the return of the Bickley Reservoir to at least partial use to supplement Perth's water supply and with that came concerns for the health of the catchment area. Plans were announced by the WA Water Authority together with the Gosnells City Council, to upgrade facilities at Bickley Reservoir below the upstream area, thereby reducing pollution problems.

Work included rehabilitating degraded areas and constructing new recreation facilities such as tables and benches, walk trails, a car park, playground and toilets. City of Gosnells’ duties included rehabilitation and landscaping, lawn mowing, weed control and reticulation. The new park and the road to it were named after Thomas Henry Hardinge, whose land higher up the valley had been resumed for the water supply in 1920. Thomas Hardinge died in 1929 but his daughter attended the opening of Hardinge Park.

Access to the reservoir and catchment are now controlled in an effort to reduce pollution. There are carefully planned, sign-posted bridle paths in the catchment area, while the nearby Mason and Bird Heritage Trail also attracts visitors to the area.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree
AUTHENTICITY High degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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Last Update

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