Wireless Hill Park to have heritage listing

24/5/97

Heritage Minister Graham Kierath said the State Government has moved to protect the heritage value of Wireless Hill Park, an important reminder of the early days of radio in Western Australia.

Wireless Hill Park, adjacent to Canning Highway in Ardross, will be listed on the interim Register of Heritage Places.

"The radio station was used continuously between 1912 and 1967 as the main coastal radio communications centre for the State," Mr Kierath said.

"It played an important part in the development of commercial radio broadcasting in WA.

"The park is also an important area of urban bushland and much loved by the local community."

Mr Kierath said the Perth Wireless Station was one of the first official radio stations approved for construction and the fifth to come into operation.

Development of the site began in 1912 and in September that year, 18 years after Marconi's first radio experiments, the Australian Post Master General's Department commissioned the station.

The complex comprised four cottages at the northern end of the site and three operations buildings on the crest of a ridge.

The original wireless equipment was a crystal receiver using local galena ore and a 25kw long-wave transmitter connected to a guyed aerial mast 120m tall.

"Used continuously for 50 years, the Royal Australian Navy took over control of the station during World War One and Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) took control in 1922," Mr Kierath said.

"Four years later, it became a feeder station for international radiograms and in 1931 AWA shared the facilities with 6PR, Perth's first commercial radio station."

The Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) took over the station and moved the receiving equipment to Bassendean and transmitter operations to the old Cable Station at Mosman Park.

Two rhombic antennae were used for the NASA Space Mission communication in 1960 and two years later the 120m mast was replaced by a shorter version.

"The development and uses of the original facilities at Wireless Hill mirrored the needs of the nation and the technological advances in telecommunications," Mr Kierath said.

"The facilities were decommissioned in 1967 after the growth of telecommunications traffic and the introduction of satellite communications.

"Community groups now occupy the accommodation buildings and the store and there is a museum in the Engine House.

"The site has been modified as a well-used recreation area with heritage and wildflower walks.

"It is highly valued by the local community and by organisations such as the Institution of Engineers who have recognised the site for its significant contribution to telecommunication links between Australia and the rest of the world.

"Wireless Hill deserves the protection of the State's heritage laws."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133