Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
Great Eastern Hwy Merredin
Location Details
Approx 3kms west of Merredin, on south side of highway
Other Name(s)
The Pump
Construction Date
Constructed from 1902
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 2 |
Category 2 |
|
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 02 Mar 1982 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statement of Significance
After the wheat silos and aircraft hangers, this is the largest building in the district. Although similar pump stations have been preserved elsewhere, some with original machinery, this building has a special place in the history and development of Merredin. It is a significant assett which should not be permitted to simply be lost through neglect. Every effort should be made to re-roof the building, which would prevent the deterioration of roof framing and stop weather getting into the tops of walls. This would give time to find
a use for the building. Even if this took many years, once the building was adequately roofed it is not liable to further significant deterioration.
Physical Description
The pump station building is located some 50 metres from the highway and is readily seen from the road. It was built in 1902 as part of the Goldfields water supply scheme and was used until 1960 when an electrically driven station (situated nearby) replaced it. Now just the shell of the building remains, all interior machinery and fittings having been removed.
The building is rectangular in plan, with door openings and arched and circular windows in opposing walls being quite different. The most prominent feature of northern face to the highway is an arch more than half the height of the wall. This elevation also has six sections of corbelled brickwork to support internal beams (since removed).
The two end walls each contain a pair of stepped buttraces. The south wall has a flat canopy above an arched doorway, which is the most significant projection on all elevations.
The interior has been stripped bare. Pilasters on internal faces of north and south walls line up with roof trusses and corbelled brick work suggests where gantry beams were located.
The concrete floor contains pits and mounting blocks where machinery was installed.
The building is free from cracking and appears structurally sound. However, the corrugated iron roof is perforated and roof trusses, being exposed to weather, must inevitably deteriorate and eventually collapse.
History
Themes: Outside Influences - Gold
Social and Civic Activities - Utilities
Integrity/Authenticity
The shell of the building is as constructed with a high integrity.
Condition
Fair but deteriorating
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.Y. O'Connor | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Tourist" booklet | Merredin Tourist & Information Centre (Inc) | 1979 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7354 | Conservation plan for Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. Volume II, place G : No. 4 Pumping Station, Merredin. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1999 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Pumping Station |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | CONCRETE | Concrete Slab |
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | BRICK | Common Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
Creation Date
31 Jan 1989Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
31 Dec 2016Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.