National Trust of Australia (WA) CEO Tom Perrigo today congratulated Heritage Minister The Hon Tony Burke MP for his recognition of Western Australia’s Goldfields Water Supply Scheme as a place of national heritage significance.

Mr Perrigo said the National Trust’s substantial commitment to conservation and interpretation work along 560 km of pipeline between Mundaring and Kalgoorlie continues to bring vital economic and social benefits to regional Western Australian communities.

“This is a heritage asset that reaches deep into the spirit of Western Australia and it will continue to make a difference into the future. Valuable partnerships between the National Trust and ten local government authorities along the pipeline have brought a long term dream to reality,” he said.

The pipeline was designed by acclaimed engineer CY O’Connor at the end of the 19th century. It has attracted international attention because water had never been lifted so far or so high before.

“The exceptional significance of this infrastructure reflects its creative and technical innovation as well as the long term continuing benefits for Western Australians,” he said.

The first major pipeline ever to be constructed of steel took water from the hills to the east of Perth to the burgeoning goldfields of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. Now known as the Goldfields and Agricultural Areas Water Supply, the pipeline is still a lifeline for the rich mining districts in the eastern goldfields and the state’s wheatbelt.

The national heritage list submission was originally made by the heritage panel of Engineers Australia WA and the National Trust of Australia WA in 2007.
“It’s also important to acknowledge the essential contribution from the local government authorities, Water Corporation and the Golden Pipeline Council in ensuring that this exceptional Western Australian infrastructure has been saved and the important stories associated with pipeline have been recorded,” Mr Perrigo said.

The National Trust is committed to the conservation and interpretation of WA’s unique heritage for present and future generations and the national recognition of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme is testament to the staff and volunteers from the Golden Pipeline project who have worked hard for more than a decade to develop an award winning heritage experience.

In 2008, the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme was awarded an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark from the American Society of Civil Engineers, joining only two other Australian engineering greats - the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.

“The national listing of this outstanding heritage asset will guide its management into the future and extend access to financial support for the National Trust’s Golden Pipeline Project’s conservation, interpretation and educational outcomes,” he said.

“The National Trust will continue to work with the Water Corporation, local government and volunteers to develop further appropriate strategies for the conservation and interpretation of the physical elements of the scheme and to capture and make accessible the rich social history which is its legacy,” Mr Perrigo said.
For more information contact National Trust CEO Tom Perrigo or National Trust Interpretation Manager Anne Brake on 9321 6088.