State Government heritage lists goldrush icon in Broad Arrow

5/4/02
A stark reminder of Broad Arrow's early railway and goldmining history - the Railway Water Tower - has been listed by the State Government on Western Australia's Register of Heritage Places.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards said the 25,000 gallon cast iron water tank and four-metre stand had played an important role in the State's goldmining history.
"The tank had been used to provide water for steam engines travelling on the Kalgoorlie-Menzies railway line, which had helped to service the growing population of the Goldfields region," Dr Edwards said.
"Construction of the railway had been prompted by the discovery of gold at Southern Cross and declaration of the area as the Yilgarn goldfield in 1888."
The Minister said the water tower was a lasting reminder of Broad Arrow's involvement in the State's goldrush, and of the significant railway presence in the town at the time.
"Gold was discovered north of Kalgoorlie at Broad Arrow in 1893, the Broad Arrow goldfield was gazetted in 1896, and the railway link between Kalgoorlie and Menzies reached Broad Arrow in 1897," she said.
"The town of Broad Arrow developed rapidly, and the water tower was one of more than 100 dams and tanks built by the Mines Department and railway contractors to support the goldmining districts and associated railways."
By 1925, gold production and the local population had declined, although the water tower continued to be used for the railway facility until diesel trains were introduced in the 1950s.
The railway tracks were eventually removed from Broad Arrow's old railway reserve, and a new railway line was built to the east of the water tower's current location.
Since 1990, the water tower has been used by the Water Corporation to supply water to Broad Arrow.
When the Water Corporation proposed replacing the deteriorating cast iron tank in 1995, objections by the local community resulted in a fibreglass water tank being placed inside the original tank.
Dr Edwards said there were other timber stands with water tanks still in existence throughout rural WA, although most were empty and unused.
"In fact, the Railway Water Tower, Broad Arrow is one of only two tanks of the same design and vintage to still be in use for water storage in WA," she said.
Minister's office: 9220 5050