Government Dam

Author

Shire of Woodanilling

Place Number

17038

Enlarge Map

Show Property Street View

There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

Robinson Rd West Woodanilling

Location Details

Local Government

Woodanilling

Region

Great Southern

Construction Date

Constructed from 1909

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory 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
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	18 Mar 2003	Category 3	Category 3 Retain and conserve if possible: Council will endeavour to conserve the significance of the place through the provisions of the town planning scheme; photographically record the place prior to any major redevelopment or demolition.

Statement of Significance

The site is significant for its association with early method of transport of people, produce
and stock.

Physical Description

The dam is on the south side of Robinson Road, about 15 kms from Woodanilling. It is
an earthen dam of about 1000 cubic yard capacity. It was constructed on a reserve
originally consisting of 70.2 acres (Reserve No 16610/6464). Later this reserve was
subdivided with the dam and catchment portion of 15 acres being excised from the main
reserve (now totalling 55 acres) which continues to carry the original title numbers - the
latter is designated a Camping and Public Utility Reserve. The position is just to the west
of the homestead of J Oscar Lines (now Treloars).

History

The dam was dug in 1909 under contract by the Carter Brothers , who farmed just to the
west.

The original reserve (known as the 10 mile Reserve) was surveyed in 1916 and was part
of a series of dams constructed by the Government to provide water for travellers and
drovers in the era before the motor car. These sources of water - either earthen dams or
wells were spaced at a maximum distance of 10 miles (15 km).

Closer to Woodanilling (west of the Douglas Road junction) situated on a creek is another
reserve 6 10147 of 40 designated as a camping site.

This was one of 112 sunk by the Carter Brothers which were up to 1500 cubic yards in
capacity. The brothers also undertook road clearing to make a living. While clearing
Ashwell Road they discovered a survey peg placed by Alexander Forrest when measuring
the State. Apparently these pegs were placed 30 miles apart. At this stage the area was
under the auspices of the Katanning Roads Board and although the peg was in the middle
of the road to be cleared they were instructed to continue. The peg was handed over to
the Roads Board and stored in the shed for some time. The site of the peg is a later
deviation of Ashwell Road near the Great Southern Highway.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	Maps7/7-7/8,8/8-8/10
	John Carter		April 2000

Place Type

Historic site

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	GOVERNMENTAL	Reservoir or Dam

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Droving

Creation Date

07 Sep 2004

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

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.