AH TAN'S WATER RACE
JAMES HILL ROAD AND SHUTTLEWORTH ROAD GLEN PARK, BALLARAT CITY
![Victorian Heritage Inventory](http://api.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/img/owner_icons/1087.gif)
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
This record has minimal details. Please look to the right-hand-side bar for any further details about this record.
-
-
AH TAN'S WATER RACE - History
In 1875 Ah Tan (Temperance Company) applied for a race and reservoir. The following year Ah Tan constructed a five mile race from Bungaree to Masons Gully (Water Right No. 400). The 15-year lease was for 15 acres of ground in total and a dam capacity of 500,000 gallons, and it expired on 15 May 1891. In the 1930s Len Goldsmith (2000:4), who was sluicing in the Wolfe's Hill area near Mopoke, leased Ah Tan's Water Right No. 400 under the new Water Right No. 616. According to Goldsmith, the race was government owned and leased (2000:4).A section of race follows around the head of Sawpit Creek (Masons Gully). The race here was cut into bedrock for a long distance. Many flumes were required to cross Butchers and Masons Gully. They had to be cleaned and checked as well. Some were tin, others nailed and bolted together with crossed timber pylons (Goldsmith 2000:4).
AH TAN'S WATER RACE - Interpretation of Site
This race was constructed in 1876 by Ah Tan to supply water to his claim at Masons Gully.
At some stage, likley at the termination of Ah Tan's lease, the Government purchased the
race. The race was leased to local miners and reused during the 1930's to support small
scale sluicing operations.
AH TAN'S WATER RACE - Archaeological Significance
This site has a high level of archaeological significance.
The race is well preserved for its entirety and is a representative example of an 1860s
water race that was utilised over several decades for mining purposes. Archaeological
features include the race alignment, negative cut features, spoil and sediment deposits,
dams, diversions, sluice points and potential gauges, flume remains, pipes, and sluice
lining materials.
Although water races are common on Victorian Goldfields very few races in Victoria have
been documented and mapped in detail and the integrity of remaining goldfield water
management complexes is largely under researched.
AH TAN'S WATER RACE - Historical Significance
The site has a HIGH level of historical significance at a local level. Due to the excellent
preservation of a large part of the Creswick goldfield, the intertwined narratives of mining,
water supply, environmental consequences and rapidly evolving legislation can be read in
the landscape. At a state level the site contributes to broader narratives of water supply
and mining (Victorian Historical Theme 4.5 & 4.6) and informs the development of both
mining and water management laws for the State of Victoria.
The race system is one of many on the Creswick alluvial goldfield that together make up
an important and well preserved cultural landscape of water management.
Combined with Creswick's strong forestry education facilities and proximity to Melbourne
and Ballarat, an increased awareness in this well preserved mining complex could provide
Creswick with excellent educational and tourism opportunities illustrating mining
techniques and how mining shaped Victoria's water laws.
Heritage Inventory Description
AH TAN'S WATER RACE - Heritage Inventory Description
A 6.9 km extant section of water race commencing near James Hill. following contours around Butchers and Mopoke Gullies.
-
-
-
-
-
AH TAN'S WATER RACEVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
SLATEY CREEK HYDRAULIC SLUICING COMPANY WATER RACEVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
-