Government Quarries (fmr)

Statement of Significance

government initiative to improve Western Australia’s manufacturing industry and economy prior to and after World War I, and it has the potential to reveal archaeological information about stone crushing technology and quarry operations from the first quarter of the twentieth century; the place is rare as it has retained the physical remains of two separate stone crushing buildings (a pre 1912 crusher and the later 1912 crusher), and the remains of the compressor building which was constructed in several phases; stone from the quarry was used in the construction of the north mole at Fremantle harbour; the place is associated with the development of the quarrying industry, in the Shire of Mundaring, which was first established in the 1870s; and, the scale of the former quarrying operation, in what is now a large bush reserve, has led to strong visual contrasts between the natural bush environment, the individual quarry faces and the remains of the crushing buildings.

Physical Description

Government Quarries (fmr) is a granite and diorite quarry comprising six quarry faces, the remains of two concrete crushing plants (pre 1912 and 1912) and associated concrete engine beds, the remains of a concrete and stone compressor building together with associated concrete engine beds, a short stretch of railway track and the formation for the main spur line which served the quarries. The quarry site is approximately 1 kilometre long and 500 metres deep. The quarry is located to the south of Coulston Road, Boya, at the south-east end of Hudman Road in a residential area. Access to the quarry sites is along the route of the former spur line which served the quarries and the crushing works; there is no evidence of the metal rails. Today, the formation is a dirt track which commences at the south-east end Hudman Road. The track runs along the south-west side of the quarry which is located along a granite and diorite scarp that is aligned approximately east to west. The track formation has been built up with earth fill in some places to create a comparatively level route. There is a slight fall to the east. Due to this infill, the land on the southern side of this track falls away quite steeply in some places. Due to the location of the granite and diorite formations, the rock was quarried on two separate levels. The lower level contains quarries 1, 2 and 3, while quarries 4, 5 and 6 are on the upper level. Quarries 5 and 6 have the largest faces. Natural vegetation is gradually taking over the quarry floors. The remains of the crushing plant (1912, 1927) are restricted to concrete foundations on the northern side of the spur line and associated concrete engine beds. The foundations of the compressor building (1912, 1927) lie in an elevated position to the south of quarries 5 and 6. Only the bottom section of the north wall has survived as it was built into the side of the hill. The remains show smooth faced granite with regularly spaced timber posts. The posts were presumably used to support the roof structure. The 1927 extensions were constructed from concrete form work. Several concrete engine pads remain in situ on the floor. A large proportion of the building has become over-grown with plants. No evidence of the southern section remains.

History

Assessment 2006 Construction 1912 Alterations/additions: 1912, 1927, 1950 Builder: Public Works Dept The quarries were opened in 1901 by the state’s Public Works Department to provide granite for the construction of the North Mole in Fremantle. State government policy in 1911 saw the development of a number of state owned operations which included the development of the quarry at Boya. Extensions and improvements were made to the plant at the quarries in 1912. These included the construction of a new crushing plant, compressor and power houses, transformer and a new office. Production rose from c.10,000 tons per year between 1912 – 1918 to 15,000 between 1918 – 1921. Increasing demands for rock and blue metal in the 1920s led to upgrades and expansion at the quarries. This work had been completed by 1927. Comparisons between a 1911 plan of the quarries and a 1927 plan show that the quarry faces had grown and additions were made to several of the 1912 buildings. Extensions to the crushing plant saw the 1912 office incorporated into the whole complex, together with further additions on the eastern side. New buildings were added around the quarry faces and the compressor building was extended. New stables and a yard were constructed to the south-west of the crushing complex. During its working period the quarry was operating on a break-even basis and in 1942 it was decided to cease operations. The plant and equipment was sold and the reserve was re-classified in 1957 from ‘Quarries’ to ‘Park and Public Recreation Area’. The site was vested with the Shire of Mundaring in 1976.

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