Former Railway Water Tank and Recreation Reserve

The former Railway Water Tank is located within the Lethbridge Lake and Public Reserve, within the township of Lethbridge. The site was originally gazetted as a Railway Reservoir, located on Bruce's Creek which was dammed to form the 'Muddy Waterholes' reservoir and to supply water to replenish the boilers of the steam engines arriving at Lethbridge Station. The reservoir was located approximately 500 metres from the station and sidings. The Ballarat-Geelong line was of particular importance before the more direct route between Melbourne and Ballarat was built. The former Railway Water Tank was constructed in the 1860s from riveted cast iron, mounted on a rectangular basalt base which housed the pump station. The bluestone was sourced from the local Lethbridge quarry, which supplied the bluestone used to construct the Lethbridge Railway Station and numerous railway bridges. The structure is particularly well-built. By the mid-twentieth century diesel locomotives were introduced along the Ballarat-Geelong line, superseding the need for fresh water to facilitate the operation of steam engines. In 1974 the site was acquired by Shire of Bannockburn as a Recreation and Amusement Reserve. The former Railway Water Tank, although rusted, retains a high degree of integrity and is in good condition.

How is it significant?

The former Railway Water Tank, at the Lethbridge Lake and Public Reserve is of architectural and historical significance to the Golden Plains Shire.

Why is it significant?

The Railway Water Tank is of architectural significance as a representative example of a water supply station constructed in the 1860s from rectangular riveted cast iron mounted on a basalt base. The Railway Water Tank is also significant as a surviving example of the use of locally quarried bluestone, which is synonymous with the railway infrastructure throughout Lethbridge and district.

The Railway Water Tank is historically significant for its association with the earliest phase of the Victorian Railways and 19th century steam engines, demonstrating a past way of life and superseded technology.

Group

Utilities - Water

Category

Water Tank