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Sewerage Vent, East Perth

Author

City of Perth

Place Number

23762
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

Royal St East Perth

Location Details

Opposite ABC Studio

Local Government

Perth

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1911

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents More information
Heritage List Adopted 11 Sep 2015

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
Local Heritage Survey Completed\Draft Category 1

Category 1

Exceptional significance - Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example.

Local Heritage Survey Adopted 28 Mar 2023 Category 1

Category 1

Exceptional significance - Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example.

Statement of Significance

The place provides rare evidence of the earliest establishment of a deep sewerage system for Perth (operational from 1911), a significant milestone in the development of Perth as a modern city.
The place is a surviving c.1911-1930 sewerage ventilation shaft, a once-common piece of infrastructure that appears to have largely been removed and/or forgotten across the country.
The place is a representative example of the standard natural ventilation shafts erected for the Perth and Fremantle sewerage systems from 1911 to 1930, when decorative but functional cast iron work was used for these items of public infrastructure.

Physical Description

The sewer vents are similar in design consisting of an ornate circular cast iron base with fluting and moulding with the letters M S for Metropolitan Sewerage. Each base is 2 metres high with a straight circular pipe rising above. The total height of the vents is between 9 metres and 15 metres.

History

In 1900 the Perth City Council serviced residences with a pan collection system for outside toilets. in 1903 plans were developed by the State Government to form a deep sewerage system for Perth. One problem with this system was the creation of hydrogen sulphide gases in the pipes which needed to be vented so oxygen could enter the pipes. In 1911 the ventilating shaft was built on Cook Street, Arthur Street and Royal Street. The disconnection of the sewer vents is unknown, however in the opinion of Water Corporation the changes to the system between the 1950s and 1970s led to many vents being unnecessary.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity.
High level of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Assessment document Register of Heritage Places – Metropolitan Sewer Vents 2015

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Other

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Other METAL Cast Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Community services & utilities
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Settlements

Creation Date

06 Feb 2012

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

22 Jul 2024

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.