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THE INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NEWINGTON NAVAL ARMAMENT DEPOT AND HOMEBUSH STATE ABATTOIRS AND OTHER SITES IN THE HOMEBUSH BAY REGION

A REPORT FOR THE HOMEBUSH BAY CONSERVATION STUDY

PREPARED FOR FOX AND ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS/PLANNERS

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NEWINGTON ARMAMENTS DEPOT

1.0 INIROOUCTION

.1 The Newington Na.val Armament Depot is an armament and explosives magazine situated on 259 hectares of land on the foreshores of

·the Parramatta River and Homebush Bay. It is the primary Australian Government magazine in Sydney Harbour and its operation is concerned with the storage, assembly,

·maintenance, preparation and supply of serviceable ammunition of all kinds to ships and establishments of the Royal Austral ian Navy and othe.r such agencies as the Chief of Defence Force Staff may direct •.

• 2 There are 185 buildings on the site, serviced by ~.5 km of sealed roads, 12 km of unsealed roads and 4 km of narrow-gauge electric tramway. The buildings may be

. divided into ten ca:tegories:

ExplosivesMagazines 57 Explosives Workrooms , 27 Explosives Workshops and Workshop Offices 16 Stores - Non-Explosives and General 7 Stores- Designated (e.g. Fuel) 18 Workshops (non-explosives) 8 Special Purpose Structures 13 Residences 5 Administration and Offices 14 Toilets and Amenities . . 20

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These buildings are numbered 1-203, with 18 spare numbers.

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2. 0 PRECINCTS •

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For the purposes of this report, the Armament Depot has been divided into seven precincts. These precincts reflect both the 1 andform and the historical development of the site •

• 2.1 CoJonial Precinct: A small area close to the wharf where the original 1897 complex

' was situated. The boundary approximates the original line of fence around this complex •

• 2.2 Wharf Precinct: The foreshore of the Parramatta River around the existing wharf, extending east and west •

• 2.3 Coastal Wetlands Precinct: The area of low­lying flat land, largely former swamp, in the northern part of the site, bound by the

• river on the north, Bennel ong Road to the east and the other preci nets on the south, west and south-east.

.2.4 Forest Precinct: The small area of standing forest in the eastern part of the sit e.

. • 2.5 Hill Precinct: The area of slopes·between

the Burma Road and Jamieson Street from south of the Colonial Precinct to the beginning of the Magazine Precinct.

.2.6 Magazine Precinct: The large central area of the Depot that largely contains explosives magazine structures in several groups •

• 2. 7 Southern Precinct: This area includes all buildings in the southern part of the depot south of the eastward projection of the alignment of Fariola Street •

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COASr.AL W.ErLANIS PREDINCT

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3.0 STATEMENT Of SIGNIFICANCE ·

3.1 SITE

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1.1 Newington Armament Depot is the main explosives and munitions store for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Government. It is now the only magazine in Sydney Harbour servicing the Department of Defence. Since its establishment it has taken over the operations of other the Sydney Harbour Naval Magazine at Spectacle Island, which now operates only as an annexe to the Newington Depot •

1.2 The Depot has been used continuously and exclusively as a magazine since its establishment in 1897 •

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1.3 The extant structures at Newington Depot range from the earliest period of development to the present day. Wh i 1 e · performing the same function, structures from different periods reflect changes in explosives technology and handling­techniques •

1.4 The range of building materials reflects both the evolution of building materials during the 20th Century and the changes in philosophies towards explosives storage during this period •

1.5 The development of the complex, both in its structures and layout reflects the major national and international political events of this century •

.2 INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

.2.1 Newington wharf is the point through which a 11 exp 1 osi ves used by the Austra 1 ian Government in Sydney pass •

• 2.2 The Armaments Stores exhibit the following features:

They are electrically earthed with massive copper straps and. are constructed of materials with good anti-static properties; · They are provided with facilities for discharging static electricity from people entering the stores; They are fitted with 1 ightning conductors; They are generally contained within a

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high earth embankment which will direct any accidental blast upwards; The doors of the explosives stores do not face any other building. This reduces the possibility of a chain reaction •

• 2.3 The explosives workshops exhibit the following features:

Similar electrical earthing, 1 ightning conductors and static electric discharge facilities to the explosives stores; General isolation from the stores buildings; They are surrounded on two or three sides by concrete or earth blast walls •

.2.4 The tramway system is an important aspect of explosives handling as it provides a smooth and contra 1 1 ed p 1 atform for the transport of materials around the site and reduces the need for manual handling. Apart from the motive power, the tramway system is 1 ittl e c h an g e d from the system or i g i n a 1 1 y installed. Few similar narrow-gauge tramways exist except in large mining operations.

.2.5 The system of roads is indicative of the magazine's basic design philosophy, whereby exp 1 os i ves stores and workshops can be effectively isolated from each rither and still allow economic handling of materials. The roads also indicate the progressive expansion of the site through different periods as well as different design phi 1 osoph ies.

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

.1 Summary

.1.1 The armament depot is a significant site. Any proposed re-use of the site should not obscure the original fabric and the site should be able to be readily interpreted •

• 1.2 This report does not project any particular re-use, nor have any interest groups been consulted to determine community wishes. Recommendations have stemmed purely from consideration of the statement of significance •

• 1.3 It is clearly impossible to keep the site as it exists in 1985. However, it is recommended that in any re-use the layout of the roads be conserved, a 11 bu 11 dings and structures dating from 1 ast century be

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conserved·, the ra i 1 1 i ne be conserved and 'selected buildings which indicate the deve 1 opment of the site and philosophy of armament storage also be conserved •

• 2 GENERAL BECOMMENDATIONS

.2.1 The existing road system indicates the way in which the magazine was structured, its progressive development and its operation. The road system should be conserved •

• 2.2 The tramway system is indicative of the materials handling and the relationships between different areas and structures and complements the road system. The system should be conserved •

• 2.3 The wharf has always been the primary entrance to the site and its relationship to the tramway system emphasises the water­based nature of the depot. The basic structure of the wharf, the tramway and cranes should be conserved •

.2.4 Different workshops and magazines represent different periods of construction~ different final uses and different approaches to exp 1 osi ves hand 1 i ng. At 1 east one examp 1 e of each type should be conserved at locations around the site. Size is not a significant differentiating factor •

.2.5 Certain residences existed on parts of the site prior to their inclusion in the area of

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the Depot. Their conservation would give continuity and depth to the future occupation of the site •

.2.6 Some structures on the site have a strong association with a particular historical event ( i.e. B u il d i n g 3 5 was b u il t as the bombstore for the first Navy aeroplane) or have value in expressing a particular period in the history of the site (i.e. the remains of the original road, fence and gateposts). These structures should be conserved •

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• Fig. 2 Bld, 139 -Colonial Precinct. This building vas the C0111mander's resldenco for the original 1897 complex. During WW2 It vas renovated and converted to an amen It les facll lty and the verandahs vere enclosed vlth weatherboard •

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• 3 SPECIFIC BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES RECOMMENDED FOR CONSERVATION

.3.1 Colonial Precinct 20 magazine 21 workshop 137 storeroom 139 former residence, now amenities 140,142-146 workshops, workrooms 148 former toilet, now store 150-152 electromobile depot Original road, gateposts and remains of the iron picket fence •

.3.2 Wharf Precinct 15 return store 81 wharf structure and equipment

.3 .3 Coasta 1 Wetlands Preci net No buildings recommended •

Precinct • magaz1nes

magazines (one or all of)

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118 offices, former residence 123 reside nee 126 offic~s, former residence

Magazine Precinct •

52-54,60,61,77,78,79 magazine (select one of) 56,57,58,59 magazine (select one of) 66-74 magazine (select one of) 46-49 magazine (select one of) 64,65,85,86 magazine (select one of)

.3.7 Southern Precinct 185 former residence 186 former re$idence 89-92 magazines (select one of)

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5.0 DESCRIPTION OF BUILDINGS RECOMMENDED FOR CONSERVATION

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COLONIAL PRECINCT Introduction All buildings in this precinct, except buildings 141 and 147, date from 1897 and constitute a historic group of great significance. All buildings in this precinct, including the iron picket fence but excluding buildings 141 and 147 should be conserved.

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.1.2 Building .2.Q.. This building was the original Explosives Store for the 1897 complex of buildings. It is a red brick building with cream brick trims and sandstone capped gable .ends, with three slate-roofed gables above three 1 arge chambers inside. Each chamber has a brick barrel-vaulted ceiling and a surrounding passage from which lanterns were placed in window recesses to light the chambers. A flat-roofed brick extension adjoins on .the eastern side and covers the tramline where it enters and leaves the building. The building is surrounded ~n three sides by brick buttresses which were added 1 ater to give support to the vaults •

• 1.3 Bu i 1 ding .21. A sma 11 brick wa 11 ed, concrete roofed explosives workshop built in an isol a:ted position from the rest of the explosives buildings. in this area. It has tram access and earth banks.on all sides.

·.1.4 Building 137. Adjacent to Building 20, this is part of the original complex and has red brick walls with cream brick trim and a hipped slate roof. Now a storeroom, it was originally associated with the adjacent Magazine.

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.1. 5 .B..Yil.d..ing 112.. T h i s b u il d i n g w as the original Commanders Residence for the complex in 1897. It is finished·in red­brick with cream brick lintels and a hipped slate roof. In 1944 it was converted to an office, toilet and ablutions block for the adjacent workshops and the verandahs were infill ed with weatherboard walls on three sides. (Fig. 2)

.1. 6 .B..u.ild.l n.g.s.. 14 0 ,1.4.2..=.1 4 6. This group of

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the body and all metallic structures earthed by a copper band around the walls • Buildings 140,142 and 143 are 1897 buildings with red brick walls, cream brick lintels and hipped or gab 1 ed s 1 ate roofs. Sma 1 1 Issue and Receipt hatches are built into the walls adjacent to the tram line and Building 143 was the original gatehouse with the traml ine running through a central passage beneath a sandstone pediment inscribed 11 VR 1897 11• Buildings 144-146 are of.similar ' form to the others but were built in the mid-1940's. They have brick walls and

. corrugated asbestos-concrete roofs and are separ~ted by concrete bl~st walls. (Figs •. 1 & 3) '

· .• 1.7 Building 148 is an early toilet block, now disused. It is of red-brick with recessed panels breaking the fl.at surfacesand a corrugated asbestos-concrete roof over the three former cubicles. Nightsoil hatches at the rear of each cubicle have been bricked up •

• 1.8.Buildings 150,151 and 152 are the garage, workshop and transformer house for the electromobiles. that travel the tramway system. They are a 11 asbestos-cement wa 11 ed bui 1 dings with corrugated asbestos-cement roofs. The buildings themselves are of 1 ittl e interest, however their function is integral to the operation of the depot •

.1.9 Original Road, Gateposts and Remains of Iron Ei£k~~ E~nce. ·The extent of the 1897 complex is marked by the remains of the original Iron Picket fence which pnce surrounded it. The concrete footings of the fence bearing the bases of the iron pickets is intact and largely continuous on the north, east and west sides of the original complex but it missing on the south side where the only remains are the two large sandstone gateposts 1 ocated on either side of the original access road from Jamieson Street to which the fence originally connected. The access road between the gateposts and the original complex remains virtually original and is 1 ittle used •

.2 WHARF PRECINCT

.2.1 Introduction

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All explosives and armaments pass thr.ough the wharf. It is the most important. materials handling unit in the complex. The rail 1 ine and three cranes are an integral part of the structure •

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- ~ . . • • •: fig. 3 Bld•s. 140, 144-146- Colonial Precinct. - '• · ',· A row of explosives workrooms with tram access.

'• • Bl d. 140 dates from 1897 (centre of row wfth · ' h fgher pItched gab 1 el wh i1 e the others date from m. . . . . • ••

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.2.2 Building li is the Return Store for goods being 1 oaded or un 1 oaded at the wharf. A simple timber-framed asbestos-cement sheathed building with a single gabled corrugated asbestos-cement roof. The timber floor is about a metre above the ground level and provides a loading platform for the tram line which, runs through the

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.2.3 Building~ is the designation given to the Wharf. The wharf is a timber decked longshore wharf on turpentine piles 121 metres 1 ong by 7.6 metres wide. Depth a 1 ongs ide ranges from 1.83 m (1 fathom) to 2.74 m (1.5 fathoms).· There are three cranes mounted on the wharf. The largest is a STOTHERT + PITT Co. 5 tonne capacity diesel-powered travelling crane of unknown age and the other·two are identical G.H. + J.A. WATSON P/L 3.05 tonne capacity electric powered fixed crane_s insta 11 ed in June, 1974. The wharf has been substantially rebuilt. It is the usual issue/receipt point for all government explosives handled in Sydney Harbour and remains the most important point of entry for exp 1 os i ves to the magazine.

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• 3 FOREST .PRECINCT .

• 3.1 Intrqduction The forest precinct was included in the second phase of expansion. It contains several types of buildings which were erected between the wars •

• 3.2 Building ~ is an explosives magazine with an office annexa built in brick with a flat concrete roof. It was erected in 1928 as a bombstore for the recently acquired seaplane HMAS Albatros, which was the first use of aeroplanes by the Australian Navy. It is now in general use within the depot •

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• 3.3 ~il~ng~ iQ=1~ are small explosives magazines built sometime before 1922 with brick walls and single gabled slate roofs. Each has a· small entrance porch under a hipped slate roof. Building 38 is a double-

. size version of Bui 1 dings 36 and 37. (Fig. 4)

.3.4 Buildings 42-45 are explosives magazines built by the RAN in approximately 1939. They are all identical with brick walls, a single-gabled corrugated asbestos-cement roof and a small open-fronted brick porch with a flat concrete roof above the entrance.

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.3.5 Buildings 154-164 are a second group of explosives workshops and workrooms with· simi 1 ar internal features to the Col ani al Precinct group already described. Building 154 is a workshop with brick walls and corrugated asbestos-cement roof. Buildings 155-157 are identical workrooms with brick walls and slate roofs and are probably earlier than the adjoining buildings and may be contemporary with magazines no. 36-38. Buildings 158~160 are identical workrooms, built with asbestos-cement walls and. corrugated asbestos-cement roofs on a timber framework. The workrooms and workshops 154-160 have overhead travelling hoists extending over the tramway.

Building 161 is the change-room, toilet and ablutions faci 1 ity for this group of buildings. It is a timber-framed, asbestos­cement walled building with a corrugated asbestos-cement roo~ Of little individual significance, it is a necessary feature of the group. Building 163 is a small timber­framed, asbestos-cement walled, corrugated asbestos~cement roofed workshop office in which the records for the group of workshops were prepared and kept. Building 164 is a special type of wcirkshop for explosives considered or expected to be unstable in s.o me · way· and is c a 1 1 e d the "Under Precaution" Workshop. It is constructed· of t i m be r 1 o g s 1 a i d h o r i z on t a 1 1 y with a ~or~ugated asbestos-cement roof and concrete floor. The building encircles the central

.workroom which has internal walls of plate steel and earth-fill between these and the

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Fig. 5 Tramway Cutting- Forest Precinct, This l tne connects to magazines 42-45 in the forest. The ralls are mounted flush with the surrounding concrete to provIde a road for fot·k-llft trucks as well as the trams. · ·

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• outer timber walls. An expl~s~v·e dismantling apparatus is mounted in the room with a television camera above it. This apparatus is operated from outside the · earth-f i 11 ed wa 11 s by the operator who views procee~ings on the television monitor provided •

• 4 HILL PRECINCT

.4.1 Introduction The Hill Precinct contains mostly former res i d e n c e s , a d m i n i s t r at i v e o f f i c e ·s , carpenters and electricians workshops and a training centre. It does not have any explosives workshops or magazines •

• 4.2 Building 118 is a former residence converted to offices. It's original section has brick walls and a slate roof and is surrounded by many additions in brick and weatherboard, most of which pre-date WW2. The original section is pre-1922 •

.4.3 BuiJding 123 is a residence built in red brick with a hipped slate roof. It is presently vacant. It was built sometime prior to 1922 •

• 4.4 Building 126 is a former residence converted to offices. Or_iginall y two semi-detached dwellings built in red-brick with a hipped slate roof, it has various add"itions in brick and weatherboard and a recenttoilet block addition in brick with a sieel skill ion roof at the rear. (Fig._ 6)

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.5 MAGAZINE ERECINCT

.5.1 Introduction The Magazine Precinct contains almost exclusively explosives stores or magazines. Most of these were constructed during the second world war •

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~~~~~~~~~~ Fig. 7 Bld. 61 -Magazine Precinct. This plate­steel Jacade fronts a semf-clrcul_ar steel arch covered with earth. Built during WW2 to a U.S. • design, the line of the arch can be traced by the semi-circular row of rivets around'the central

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.5.2 Magazines 46-49 are identical timber framed buildings with corrugated asbestos-cement walls and roof. They were built in 1939/1940 to a RAN design chosen for its cheapness and speed of construction. Each has tramway access through sandstone retaining walls, with the tramway running down the centre of the building. (Fig. 10)

• ·.5.3 Magazines 52-54,60,61,77-79 are all of the

Armco steel igloo type, with a plate steel facade and earth covering. Buildings 52 and 53 are in poor condition and presently condemned. Building 54 is also in poor condition. These were a U.S. design magazine built in 1942/43 for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. (Fig.· 7)

.5.4 Magazines 56-59 are all concrete arched structures covered with earth and with a concrete facade. The concrete was poured on site but the formwork arrangements are unknown. They- are all. in fair condition. These are also a u.s~ design built in 1942/43.

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• 5.5 Magszines 66-74 are double concrete-arch versions of the above group. Each arch is

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• 5.6 Magazines 64,65,85,86 are al 1 concrete box structures having concrete walls, roof and

. . floor, earth covered, with a concrete facade. A slightly.gabled concrete roof extends out over the 1 oading door without vertical support and steel blast shutters flank the central 'loading door. Buildings 85 and 86 are slightly longer, later versions of the Buildings 64.and 65. They are all of U.K. design for the Royal Navy's Pacific Fleet built in 1942-1944. (fig. 9)

.6 SOUTHERN PRECINCT

.6.1 Introduction . The buildi~gs here are composed of several large stores, many magazines, two groups of practically unused workshops, two small federation style cottages built when the land belonged to the Homebush Abattoirs and the large Navy Administration complex •

• 6.2 Buildings are double versions of the concrete ox ypes described above. Each of the two sections is identical internally to the single versions and they are only 1 inked by tne common facade which is a double size version of the single store facade, with the loading doors on either side of the centre. Given the close similarity to the single version, the retention of a 'double' example is considered optional.

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fig. 8 Bld. 67 ~ Magazine Precinct, A double example of the U.S. design concrete~arched magazine. Single versions are twice as long as the double, giving a similar capacity •

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• 6.3 Bui]ding 185 is a former residence·which pre-dates the occupation of this part of the site by the Armament Depot. It has brick walls and terracotta tiles on a hipped roof with a gabled projection on one side of the double-fronted facade. It is vacant and the condition is deteriorating. Architectural style is Federation.

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Bui]ding 186 is a slightly larger residence of the same style and materials as Building 185. It also predates Armament Depot occupation of this part of the site and is vacant and deteriorating •

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.7.1 The tramway is carried on over 4 km of 570 mm (2 ft) gauge rail 1 ine around the nort~ern section of the Armament Depot. Originally much less extensive than at present, the tramway was initially installed in 1917-1920 with most of it laid in 1924 and extended i.D_l939. · A name p 1 ate on the 1 ine close to Buil d'ing 20 indicates it was installed by J7E~Tool e and Co., Engineers and Machinery Merchants, Sydney •

.7.2 Originally horse-drawn, the tramway is now operated by battery-powered El ectromob f1 es. of the same type as used in many mines in the country. These were obtai ned from

·George Moss and Co., Perth and manufactured ·by Gl enco of Western Austra 1 i a. The Depot presently runs four of the electromobiles.

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Fig. 9 Bld. 64- Magazine Precinct. A British ·• designed concrete-box type magazine that Is earth-. covered behind the facade. Double version~ of this exist In the Southern Precinct.

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.7.3 The rail trucks drawn by the electromobiles are of two sizes, a singl~ bogey type_of 1 ton 1 oad capacity and a doub 1 e-bogey type of 3 ton load capacity. Constructed largely of timber, they are all similar and bear no manufacturer's marks. Little is known of their acquisition other than they al 1 pre-date 1945. ,

.7.4 The track is laid in various manners around the site, generally using timber or concrete sleepers. In some areas where there is no alternative road access, the rails are set in concrete f1 ush with the surrounding 1 evel · to provide a flat running surface for the electric fork-lift trucks also used at the De ot. The ra i 1 s are approximate 1 y 35-40

weight, the same as used in mine 1 ways. '

.7.5 An early rivetted manually~operated jib crane is located at the road/rail junction near Building 29. This was used for transferring 1 oads from road trucks to the rail trucks and vice-versa. It is now superseded by the use of fork-1 ift .trucks. Similarly superseded is a loading stage for a similar purpose located near Building 48 •

• 7.6 The tramway is in good condition and in ful 1 use at present •

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Fig, 10 Old, 48 -Magazine Precinct. This magazine is one' Of four· erected in 1939 using corrugated asbestos-cement on a timber frame. They were cheap and quIck 1 y e rocted and are protected by h !gh embankments aroun·d thtlm. Tho tram 1 Ina runs down tho centre of the magaz I no.

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HCM:BUSH ABATTOIR

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• INTROOUCTION

This report of the Homebush Abattoir does not include information based on documentary evidence. There are practically no records on site as most have been sent to the State Archives and were unavailable at the time of writing. Information of a historic nature was given by the administrative staff of the Abattoir •

• 2 ~The abattoir was opened in 1910 and the administration building was completed shortly after. Slaughter and dressing was initially conducted by the solo kill method.·

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·In the 1930's the abattoir introduced chain .killing technology which was in fact

assembly line dressing. It is believed that most bui 1 dings on site, except for the

·administrative building, one skin shed and the mutton, pork and veal 'building, date

' from the 1930's or 1 ater •

The fabric of practically all buildings on site has been altered, in some cases dramatically, in response to new health regulations, improvements in working conditions and the introduction of ne\t

technology and the demand for increased .afficiency.

Many buildings are reported to be suffering from structural degrade and are beyond repair. Most problems are 'associ·atedwith r.usting of the steel in the reinforced concrete as well as general wear and tear •

• Many of the older meatworks buildings as they stand cannot be regarded as possessing aesthetic valu~ According to the abattoir executive, most wi 11 have to be rep 1 aced for future abattoir activities. Even the market bu i 1 dings which date between 1935 and 1955 and which have some architectural merit are extremely prone to excessive heat 1 oss, . suffer from leaks and are therefore very cost 1nefficient

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2.0 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

.1 GENERAL

.1.1 The Homebush Abattoir was established in 1909/1910 as the state's premium abattoir to provide a central meat inspection, processing and marketing facility to improve the quality and distribution of meat in the metropolitan area. Later it was to regulate and standardise the meat industry on a state-wide basis •

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• 1.2 Homebush was for many years the largest and most modern abattoir in Australia and the major supplier of meat for both domestic and export markets •

• 1.3 Al 1 processes and activities related to meat production are undertaken on site. The abattoir undertakes all slaughtering and meat by-p~oducts processing. Boning, canning, smal lgoods, processed meats and pet food production is done by private companies in spaces leased from the abattoir by independent companies.

.2 BUILDINGS

.2.1 The meatworks buildings are purpose built buildings which reflect the abattoir operations and especially the. growth and changes in slaughtering, dressing, storage and distribution technology •

.2.2 A major aspect of the design of· the meatworks buildings and their interrelationship is the movement of meat a~d by-products to various processing and handling areas. 1

.2.3 The Administration Building is a fine example of a Federation style commercial brick building of the early 20th century. It has been altered internally and externally but the alterations have in general been sympathetic to the original fabric and the building. The size of the building, ihe at~ention to detail and the sur ro u n d i n g 1 and s cape d g a r dens bear testimony to the.importance placed on the Abattoirs as a government food producing unit. It has four ancillary buildings in similar stYle set in the landscaped gardens .

• 2.4 The Markets Buildings reflect the changing technology of meat hand 1 i ng and the· government phi 1 osophy of meat inspection, . handling and distribution.

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3.0 RECOMMENPATIONS

• 1 INTRODUCTION

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It must be assumed that the abattoir will be given a new set of meatworks buildings that will allow greater efficiency and that the existirig ones will have to be demolished or new uses found for them. It seems that given their condition, the massive unsympathetic alterations that have taken place and their generally unpleasing appearance that the options for reuse are small. However, reuse should not be disregarded entirely and further investigation should be undertaken •

• 2 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

.2.1 Before any demolition takes place, a full technological architectural archaeological and historical study of the site should be initiated. Such a study shou~d involve locating and recording fabric existing in the site from former periods of abattoir activity. Of prime importance is the collecting and collating information on the technology employed in the Abattoir from 1910 to the present day •

• 2.2 If reuse is considered a viable option for any of the meatworks bu i 1 dings, then an assessment of the structural integrity of the buildings should be undertaken by a structural engineer •

• 2.3 Equipped with information from both the above studies a complete examination of poss i b 1 e re-uses for the bu i1 dings shou 1 d be undertaken •

.2.4 The Adm'inistration ,building and its. ancillary buildings, including the old gatehouse, the landscaped gardens and the palm trees along King Avenue, should be conserved.

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.2.5 The equipment installed in the Engine room, including the air compressor made by Ingersol e-Rand, the four O'Connell and Kerr ammonia compressors and the two ~li 1 dridge and Sinclair pressure boosters should be conserved, if possible, in the existing power house. If this is not possible, suitable alternative housing on site should be found •

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i WORKS LAYOUT PLAN

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FIRST F-~GR PLAN

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HOMEBVSH ABATTOIR CORPORIHION

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4.0 LAYOUT AND OPERATION

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• 1 INTRODUCTION •

.1.1 The meatworks area of the abattoir can be regarded as being contained within a rough rectangle bound by Merino Lane on the north­east, King Avenue on the south-west, Hill Road on the north-west and the sheep stock route on the south-east. Within this rectangle, the buildings are laid out in two 1 ong rows running south-east to north-west. A central roadway with two lines of railway runs between the two rows of buildings. Entrance to the site is from the south corner where the administration building is located. ·

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.1.2 Land outside the meatworks area is taken up with holding paddocks, saleya.rds, the cattle sales building with associated offices and club, an extensive rail loop system for stock deli very and various access roads. Severa 1 areas ha v.e been 1 eased to provide companies for businesses that in some cases are related to the abattoir and in some cases entirely unrelated •

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Fig. 1 The ra i1 1 i ne that runs between the rna rkets bu fl d! ng on the r! ght and sect f on of tho chiller building on tho left. Corcasses are taken to tho markets building v!o tho overhead covered ways. ·

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.2 THE MEATWORKS

.2.1 Within the meatworks, between Merino Lane and the central roadway, the north-east row of bui 1 dings 1 argel y relates to mutton, pork and vea 1 product ion. The south-west rovt or group of buildings between King Avenue and the central roadway largely relates to beef production, meat chil 1 ing and meat marketing. Each row of buildings has a service area on the side away from the central roadway, separated by a laneway from the building itself. The two rows of buildings and the service areas are al1 interconnected by covered ways at the first floor 1 evel •

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On the north east side, the mutton, veal and pork buildings are separated by Ash Lane from the s 1 aughter rooms and an extensive series of covered holding pens. The pens are covered as wet animals are unsuitable for slaughtering for health reasons. The slaughter roams connect to the first floor treating areas of the mutton, pork and veal buildings which are in turn connected to the grading rooms and ultimately the chillers in the beef buildings. Carcasses are moved throughout the system on overhead chains •

• 2.3 Most dressed meat is taken from the chillers to the markets buildings on Kings Avenue. Some goes to the boning rooms on the south end of the mutton, pork and beef bu i 1 dings for processing by meat packing companies and some goes to other leased processing buildings to make various meat products •

. • 2.4 Skins are dropped 'onto the conveyor running

the length of Ash Lane and transported to the two skin sheds on the northern-east end of site. Waste products, offal and bones are loaded into trucks in the central 1 aneway (Mutton Lane) that. runs the 1 ength of the mutton, pork and veal row on the ground floor and taken of the By-Products works on the north-west end of the site •

.2.5 The beef group of buildings contains the beef slaughtering and dressing area, the meat chillers and the meat market buildings. The leased cold stores and freezers are contained in the south east corner and the three market buildings are locat~d in the south west corner. The beef production area is in the north west corner while the chillers, where the dressed meat is stored, are in the north east corner.·

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Similar to the mutton, pork and veal row, cattle holding-yards are located on the side_ away from the centra 1 roadway. The cattle enter the slaughtering area and the carcasses are transported on an overhead conveyor through a covered way to the beef dressing area. The covered way crosses a

· laneway (no name) containing a single track of rail which divides the north-east half of the group from the south~west The engine,· boiler and refrigeration compressor rooms are located in the centre of the beef row •

• 2.6 The north-western end of both rows of building contains ancillary services housed in several buildings. The meat inspectors office is housed in what appears to be a former railway station building. Other structures include the By-Products building - a large concrete and brick structure, the carpenters and plumbers shop, the stores building with a fitters workshop on the ground floor and a modern one-storey brick building for the-manufacture of sausage casings from intestines •

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F!g •. 2 · Ash Lane 1 ook lng ·north-east. The kf 11 lng rooms are on the. 1 eft and the mutton dressing rooms are on the right. The carca~ses are taken by chain through the overhead covered ways. The condition· of the buildings and th". un~ympathet !c a 1 terat ions can bcs t. be judged by th•s photograph. ·

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.3 MEATWORKS BUILDINGS

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The buildings that comprise the two central rows of the works are a complicated series of 1910s and 1930s buildings with additions, . infill sections and some modern replacement buildings.·

In general, the older sections of the buildings are brick walled corrugated asbestos-cement or corrugated galvanised­iron roofed structures with reinforced concrete floors. Roofs are generally hipped with angle-iron roof trusses and match board ceilings. There is a 300 mm space between 'the matchboarding and the corrugated asbestos cement which allows movement of air. The oldest sections of the buildings are identifiable by a particular brick which has an orange red glaze on its outer face. These bricks were reported to be imported from Scotland under the brand name 11 Gl azu ra". · A 1 most no section of b u i 1 ding that contains these bricks remains unaltered

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as large sections of new bricks have been fitted irito walls and around windows and other structures have been added at various periods to repair or modify the building to accommodate new technology. The internal wa_ll s hav.e been variously rendered and patched with concret~ ·The concrete floors. are in very poor condition with degradation of the steel reinforcing leading to spal 1 ing in many p 1 aces •

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fig, 3 The grading rails building. The matchboard ceiling and roof truss are o_r'igina J. Tho columns were Introduced_ probably in the 1930s when the abattoir-switched from. solo killing to

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.3.3 The technology in the mutton, pork and veal buildings largely dates from the mid-1910's. When chain-killing (where each man performed a particular task on carcasses passing on an overhead conveyor) replaced the previous solo-killing technique (when each man ~1ould completely dress one carcass at a time) the building was greatly modified. The beef slaughtering building was almost certainly rebuilt about 1930 to incorporate this technique. ~1ost of the equipment housed in these buildings relates to either the transport of carcasses and by-products around the buildings or the cleaning of work areas to maintain health standards •

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.3.4 The other aspect of the technology of the works relates to refrigeration and large sections of both the beef and mutton rows comprise large refrigerated rooms for staring the meat. These rooms are 1 a rge 1 y identical and have in recent times been sheathed in stainless steel. The refrigeration equipment in the Engine House is predominantly of modern design, powered by electric motors. Some older units remain on standby in the Engine House and these may be found to have some significance •

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Fig. 4 Tho Power House. One of the four remai.nlng O'Connell and Kerr Ammonia compressors. All are In good condition and are fn service •

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.3.5 There are four O'Connell and Kerr ammonia compressors numbered KY4:. KYS, KY8 and KY9 supplied by James Bell Machinery of Melbourne and Brisbane. These large machines appear to pre-date WW2 and are in operating condition. There are two J. Wi 1 dridge and Sinclair "Lightfoot" pressure boosters which were apparently originally used as refrigeration compressors but which are now used as air pumps for clearing the cooling system. There is also a single Ingersole-Rand air compressor. They may be of similar vintage to the ammonia compressors •

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Fig. 5 The Power House. O~e of the two ren•ainlng Wlldrldge and Sinclair ,'l fghtfoot' pressure· 'boosters. - Both 'boosters are ln good condition and wore In servic6 in Nov, 1985 •

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.4 THE MARKET BUILDINGS

. 4.1 There are. three rna in market buildings, the ~1et ropo 1 it an Markets 1A1 and 'B' and the Country Market. The Metropolitan Markets were built in 1935 as large refrigerated rneat stores for wholesale abattoir-killed meat. With the increasing importance of country abattoirs and with improved and cheaper refrig~rated road transport, the Country Markets were built in 1955 as a central depot for the receipt of county­killed meat and its subsequent distribution. Jhis ensu~ed count~y-kil led meat maintained the same health standards and quality control as the State Abattoir by utilising the inspection facilities established at· Homebush. By 1980, country abattoirs had 1 a rge 1 y reorganised and. had their own meat inspectors. The legislative requirement for distribution through the Homebush markets was dropped and the Country Markets building be.came obsolete. Metropolitan Market 'A' was closed at this time and its operations transferred to the Country Market building.· Metrop,al itan Market 1B' is. still used but is largely dominated by bulk meat sales to a particular few meat retail companies while general wholesales and small retail chains operate from the Country Markets Building. . .

.• 4.2 The three market buildings are essentially s i m i 1 a r i n d e s i g n, be i n g on e-st ore y b r i c k buildings with concrete floors. The interiors are partitioned into smaller sections for the storage of meat and th~ whole is refrigerated and insulated • r~ e t r o p o 1 i t an M a r k e t 1 A' i s c 1 o s e d an d disused because of poor thermal. efficiency,

. excessive water leakage from the roof and general poor condition. ~1arket. 1 B 1 is in use but has problems with roof"l eakage and poor thermal efficiency. This buil~ing has a flat reinforced-concrete roof that is suffering similar thou~h less-pronounced deterioration of the steel reinforcing as occurs in other buildings of the same period. The Country ~1arkets building is .in much better condition. It has a recent extension on its south-east end.·

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.5 ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS

.5.1 The State Abattoir was a 1 arge, government operation employing a large workforce and interacting with producers and consumers in a 11 parts of the state and overseas. With this in mind, a large and grand administration building was constructed at

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the entrance to the site. Both in architecture and 1 ocat ion, the b u i 1 ding reflects the size, strength and enterprise of this operation while providing a spacious and pleasant work environment for the administrators of the abattoi~

.5.2 A two-storey L-shaped brick building in a 1 ate federation style, it has a red-tiled, hipped roof, a rendered upper storey and sandstone 1 intels on th.e windows of its front facade. On the rear facade, lintels and sills are trimmed in a darker colour brick. The entrance is in the angle of the L-shape and is framed in a half-hexagonal porch. The interior has been extensively partitioned but th~ cedar staircase, ornate p 1 aster ce i 1 i ngs and cast-iron columns on the ground floor are notable features • There are several 1 ater additions around the building.

• 5.3 Four other small buildings make up the administration complex. They are al 1 built in the same late-federation style vdth red brick walls and hippe.d roofs w·ith red tiJes. The original gatehouse has had its verandahs enclosed with weatherboard partitions. These buildings are set amongst e 1 abo rate 1 andscaped gardens and 1 awns and the who 1 e is a p 1 easant sec 1 uded area that contrasts strongly to the adjacent meatworks complex •

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.6 REMAINS OF ORIGINAL ROADS, GATES AND RAIL SIDINGS

.6.1 The abattoir site remains little changed in general layout from the original design • Roads lines through the site are. gen~rally original and the sheep stock route retains its original alignment and its bridge over

. the rail 1 ine near the administration centre. The original rail loop with its triple branches through the meatworks centre remains but the north-eastern branch was removed and the alignment bitumened to form the present Ash Lane. An additional loop has been built in the western stockyard area for stock delivery to the saleyards following the closure of the saleyards at Flemington on the opposite side of Pa rramatta Road.

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• 6.2 The entrance drive from Parramatta Road has been altered significant.l y. From the administration centre, the drive originally swung ·south-east in a gentle curve ove~ the rail siding, through the gates approxima:tely 100 yards south of the rail cutting and down to a bridge over Parramatta Road (close to where ~velfare Street is located today), thence into the Municipal Saleyards at Flemington. Little remains of this road between the gates and Parramatta Road and the bridge over Parramatta Road is long gone. The gate ·posts remain standing, isola ted by the second ra i 1 way cutting constructep for the new loop built into the abattoir. Entrance to the site is now ~ia a reconstructed King Avenue from the south­west.

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Fig. 7 Grading rails building. The building In the foreground Is all that. remains of the Mayfair Smallgoods Section which was leased from · the Abattoir. Deterioration fn this section of the works led to Its partial demol it ton some years ago •

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OTHER SITES OF POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE H<l1EBUSH BAY AREA

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RESEARCH • .

No items of industrial archaeological significance. were mentioned in the 1 iterature on the area nor were any sites, except those given below, of interest to the National Trust or the Heritage Council •

A survey was conducted by driving along every street in the area and although there are many small industrial and manufacturing unitsi including~ forge and a foundry, none were considered to be of industrial a r c h a e o 1 o g i c a l o r t e c h n o l og i c a l significance.

2.0 FOSSEYS FACTORY

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This building is of considerable significance because of its size (covering 26 Hectares) and method of construction. Massive laminated timber beams were u~ed to span the buildings and provide uninterrupted. work space~ · ·

.2 This building should be fully investigated to determine its cultural significance and a conservation policy written for it.

3.0 STATE BRICKWORKS ·

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The State Brickworks is among the oldest and most important brickworks in the state. It has a range of equipment and employs a range of technologies unequalled in industrial archae.o 1 og i ca 1 va 1 ue •

The site should be fully investigated and a report on its history ·and technology commissioned.·

• 3 A conservation policy should be written for the brickworks before any decision concerning its future is contemplated •

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