Former Teesdale Water Reserve (Chinaman's Lagoon)

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.

Group

Utilities - Water

Category

Water Supply Reservoir/ Dam