Local Government
Merredin
Region
Wheatbelt
Great Eastern Hwy Merredin
On south side of railway line, near Allenby Street REGISTERED AS PART OF 1577
Water Tower
Merredin
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1893
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey | Completed | 11 Dec 1998 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 16 Apr 1999 | Category 2 | |
Although the same design of water tank is found elsewhere in the state e.g. at Mullewa, the tower is a significant engineering structure of historical and architectural importance, of value for tourism.
The 50' high tower is located on railway land, immediately adjacent and readily accessible from, Great Eastern Highway. It is the tallest structure in the town and readily seen from a distance.
Mounted on an up-right at the base of the tower is a Bicentenial Plaque with the following inscription: "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail/The Water Tower. When the eastern railway reached Merredin in 1893 this tower was built to"provide water for the steam engines then in use. Water was pumped from the dam at Merredin Peak into the square tank, which has a capacity of 40,000 gallons. On the tank's side can be seen advertisements for Kalgoorlie Bitter and Oatmeal Stout, produced in the Merredin Brewery in 1928." Because of purity of the water from the rock catchment, the water tower continued to be used long after supply of water to the town from the Goldfields Pipeline, until steam trains were withdrawn from service in the mid 1960s.
The water tower is as constructed, complete with advertisements, and has a very high integrity.
Fair but deteriorating
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Merredin Peak Heritage Trail" | WA Heritage Committee | 1988 | |
| "The Old Station Museum" booklet | Merredin Museum & Historical society | Undated | |
| "Merredin Tourist" brochure | 1979 | ||
| Merredin Tourist Information Centre (Inc.) |
Historic site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Water Tower |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Water Tower |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | TIMBER | Log |
| Other | METAL | Steel |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
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.