Former electricity & gas substation in East Perth to be recognised for its heritage value

24/5/98

Heritage Minister Graham Kierath has announced a building associated with the development of Western Australia's power industry in the first half of this century is to receive State Government recognition for its heritage value.

The former No. 6 Electricity and Gas Substation in East Perth will be placed on the Heritage Council of Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places on an interim basis.

Mr Kierath said the substation was built by the City of Perth in several stages between 1924 and 1945 before the State Energy Commission, established in 1946, took charge of all power generation, transmission and distribution in the metropolitan area.

"The building was an integral part of the whole electricity and gas story, rather than having a readily traceable story itself," Mr Kierath said.

"No. 6 substation was one of two built by the City of Perth in the 1920s to cater for the expanding industrialisation of the area and the widespread acceptance of electricity and gas in businesses and homes.

"The building's historical value lies in its representation of the industrial development of East Perth during the first half of the century.

"Very few of the original industrial buildings that were typical of East Perth remain."

The single-storey substation at the corner of Brown and Glyde Streets is of red brick and fibro cement construction with a corrugated fibro cement roof.

Mr Kierath said its development in three stages - 1924, 1930, and 1945 - reflected changing requirements.

"The staged development of the building has resulted in unusual forms and spaces with strong aesthetic value," he said.

"The substation is one of only a few used solely for its original purpose."

The main structure of the building, including the red face brickwork and fibro cement exterior walls, are in sound condition.

The City of Perth Lighting Committee approved the purchase of the land for No. 6 substation in 1923 based on increased demand for electricity in East Perth, particularly from the new gasworks and glassworks nearby. It paid £140.

Lighting Committee records reveal the substation was placed in service on May 22, 1924.

In 1930, the first additions to the substation were undertaken, including the installation of high tension feeder switches for Victoria Park, Belmont and Maylands and enclosure of the existing transformer cubicles.

The enclosure created a large room to the south of the transformer cubicles, with sliding doors opening to the east.

In 1945 a second pair of transformer rooms was built and walls to the south and west added, creating a large room on the southern side with sliding doors opening to the east.

Another room, labelled "Protection Workshop Store", was created between the first and second enclosures. Large fireproof steel doors opened to both enclosures providing access between the two.

Both the ceiling and floor are noted as being four-inch reinforced concrete. The floors of the transformer cubicles are described as "stone filled oil pits".

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133