Disused Railway Reserves and Bridges

Author

Shire of Denmark

Place Number

14310

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Location

Denmark

Location Details

Torbay-Denmark Railway and Denmark-Nornalup Railway Phase 1 - 4092 Phase 2 - 14537/14133/11447/5467/14635/14534

Other Name(s)

Torbay-Denmark Rlwy - Denmark-Nornalup Rlwy

Local Government

Denmark

Region

Great Southern

Construction Date

Constructed from 1929, Constructed from 1896

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	28 Jun 2011	Exceptional Significance	Exceptional Significance DESCRIPTION: Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. DESIRED OUTCOME: The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing otherwise. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).

Statement of Significance

The railways were significant in the creation of the Denmark townsite for the timber industry and as transport before roads were built. The sites (tracks) are associated with the movement of timber goods and people within the Shire. The Torbay-Denmark Railway was constructed by the Millar Brothers Timber Company to transport the timber felled in the Denmark area to market. Markets were found for the timber in England as street block pavers. In 1929, after the Denmark district expanded with many Group Settlers, a railway was built between Denmark and Nornalup. The 61km line opened up timber, dairying and potato country after taking nearly two years to complete. The railway became a vital link for the isolated group settlement communities. Fishermen also used the service by freighting their catch from places like Parry Beach. With the increased use of motor vehicles and better roads, the railway became less used, finally resulting in the closure of the service in 1957. Today the railway lines cannot be found as most have been dismantled. However, roads and tracks often follow the old routes and many have become part of the heritage trails in the Denmark district.

Physical Description

There are various lengths of disused railway tracks throughout the Shire of Denmark from Hay River to Nornalup.

History

There were three phases of railway construction. The first, during the Millars’ Timber milling era, was built between Torbay and Denmark in c1896. The second era started in 1929 when the railway between Denmark and Nornalup was built. While the lines are no longer evident as they have been removed since closure in 1957, many roads/tracks have been built on these routes.

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	R McGuinness;"Elleker-Denmark_Nornalup: The railway extended west but never met."	Cinnamon Coloureds-Denmark WA	2007

Place Type

Other Built Type

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	Transport\Communications	Rail: Other
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Rail & light rail transport

Creation Date

15 Oct 1999

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

27 Nov 2019

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.