Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon)
Learmonth Street TEESDALE, GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The former Teesdale Water Reserve, comprises 7.69 ha and is situated on allotments 51A, Parish of Carrah, within the township of Teesdale. The sites is referred to locally as Chinaman's Lagoon, a name that references the involvement of Chinese migrants who settled in the township following the gold rushes that occurred in the north of the Shire during the late 1850s. At first, the township's water supply was extracted from the Native Hut Creek, an upper tributary of the Lower Barwon River. However, by the 1870s, the water was considered too salty for human consumption and provisions were made to establish a permanent and reliable water source for the emerging township. In 1878, a 19 acre site was proclaimed for use as a water reserve, comprising allotments 51 & 52, Parish of Carrah, on land formally set aside as a Firewood Reserve. Earth works were undertaken to construct the reservoir and by 1883 tenders were called for the fabrication and laying of pipes and the construction of a tunnel. Quin Yung is recorded to have won the latter tender to construct a 150m tunnel to link the reserve to a standpipe situated at the Teesdale Town Hall. By 1973, the township was connected to reticulated water from a water basin located at Meredith and the former reserve was no longer used as an active water catchment. In 1999, the site of the former reserve, was gazetted for public purposes and a committee comprising local community representatives appointed to manage 'Chinaman's Lagoon' under Section 14(2) of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. The site comprises an earthen dam and aboveground infrastructure, dating from the period when the water catchment supplied the township, including a bluestone lined well approximately .75 metres in diameter and a basalt paved offlet. Below ground archeology from this period includes two ventilation shafts (now filled in) and sections of tunnel and pipe. The sites comprises bush land, including mature E. viminalis (Manna Gum) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) trees. The former Teesdale Water reserve, comprising the earthen dam and surviving infrastructure, including tunneling, vertical ventilation shafts, a bluestone well and offlets is in fair to good condition and retain a fair degree of integrity.
How is it Significant?
The former Teesdale Water Reserve is of historic, social, aesthetic and scientific (archeological) significance to the township of Teesdale and the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it Significant?
The former Teesdale Water Reserve and its surviving infrastructure areof historical significance for illustrating an early municipal water reticulation scheme, developed by the Leigh Shire, during the late nineteenth century.
The former Teesdale Water Reserve is of social significance for representing the aspirations of the Leigh Shire in securing a permanent water supply of the township of Teesdale. It is of further social significance for its present status as a public reserve, which is reinforced by the commitment of the local community in establishing a committee of management.
It is of aesthetic significance for its picturesque setting, surrounded by remnant bush land, enhanced by the recent re-vegetation efforts of the committee of management.
The former Teesdale Water Reserve and its surviving infrastructure is of scientific (archeological) significance for its potential to yield further artifacts and evidence from the period when the reserve was an active water catchment.
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Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon) - Physical Description 1
The former Teesdale Water Reserve, also referred to as Chinaman's Lagoon is situated on allotments 51A, Parish of Carrah, within the township of Teesdale. It comprises approximately 7.69 ha and is bound to the east by Learmonth Road, to the north by the unused Todd Street and to the south by residential allotments. The former water reserve comprises an earthen dam, constructed in a low lying gully, approximately one km east of the Native Hut Creek, an upper tributary of the Lower Barwon River. Visible above-ground infrastructure from the period when the water catchment supplied water to the township via a galvanized pipe survives, including a bluestone lined well approximately .75 metres in diameter and a basalt paved offlet. Below-ground archeology from this period includes two ventilation shafts (now filled in) and sections of tunnel and pipe. Mature E. viminalis (Manna Gum) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) trees survive from the 19th century. (Refer to the Chainman's Lagoon Management Plan September 2003, for a comprehensive survey of indigenous vegetation and wildlife). Interpretive signage and a bird watching hutch have been erected on the site in recent years. The former Teesdale Water Reserve, comprising the earthen dam and surviving infrastructure, including tunneling, vertical ventilation shafts, a bluestone well and offlet is in fair to good condition and retains a fair degree of integrity.
Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon) - Physical Description 2
Extent of registration: To the extent of the former Teesdale Water Reserve, comprising 7.69 ha, being allotment 51A, township of Teesdale, including the earthen dam, bluestone lined well, offlet, ventilation shafts and mature E. viminalis (Manna Gum) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) trees.
Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon) - Historical Australian Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of the former Teesdale Water Reserve.
3 Developing Local, Regional And National Economies
3.11 Altering the environment
3.11.1 Regulating waterways
3.11.5 Establishing water supplies
4 Building Settlements Towns And Cities
4.2 Supplying urban services (power, transport, fire prevention, roads, water, light and sewerage)
8.1 Organising recreation
8.1.3 Developing public parks and gardens
8.1.4 Enjoying the natural environment
Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon) - Integrity
The former Teesdale Water Reserve, comprising an earthen dam and surviving infrastructure, including tunneling, vertical ventilation shafts, a bluestone well and offlets is in fair to good condition and retains a fair degree of integrity.
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2
Author: Heritage Matters P/L
Year: 2009
Grading:
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