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East Terrace (East Bank) and Reservoir, Tunnels and Pumping Station

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Significance

The East Terrace – a flat landform on the higher ground of the eastern part of Fremantle Prison – is a key historical component of the convict-era planning and development of the Prison. The Terrace is also significant as the site of the original 1850s Prison bath house. In the post-convict period it accommodated significant developments including the East Reservoir with its comprehensive underground water reticulation system, and the Pumping Station with associated yard and tunnels. While these developments have limited presence within the Prison, the underground components are extensive. They are of technological significance for their construction, including the vaulted gallery, the tunnels and shafts excavated from the limestone by prisoners, and the complex water reticulation arrangement. Historically, the Pumping Station is also of note for its independent outside operation while physically located within the Prison. Architecturally and aesthetically, the Pumping Station building and yard walls, which used limestone for construction, demonstrate the favoured building material of the Prison.

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Those parts of the East Terrace and surrounds that are of exceptional significance are:

  • East Terrace as a flat landform associated with prison development

  • archaeological remains of 1850s prison bath house and asso­ciated well

 

Those parts of the East Terrace and surrounds that are of considerable significance are as follows:

  • Reservoir as sited above and below ground, and associated system of shafts, drives, tunnels and weirs

  • Pumping Station building and yard, including walls and tunnels

 

No parts of the East Terrace and surrounds has been assessed as being of some significance.

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Those parts of the East Terrace and surrounds that are of little or no significance are as follows:

  • northern addition to Pumping Station

  • all other modern fabric

Principles

PRINCIPLE 1: The Eastern Reservoir and its underground components should be retained and conserved as a key historical development of the post-convict era of Fremantle Prison.
 

PRINCIPLE 2: The East Terrace should be maintained in its present grassed form and at its existing level.

 

PRINCIPLE 3: The visibility of the Reservoir, including its vaulted roof form, should be maintained.
 

PRINCIPLE 4: The historic interior character and spatial characteristics of the Reservoir and its associated internal and underground components should be retained and conserved.

 

PRINCIPLE 5: The historic character and aesthetic significance of the Pumping Station in its walled compound should be retained and conserved.

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PRINCIPLE 6: The substantial concealment of the Pumping Station from outside the Prison, including from the Hampton Road Reserve where the east perimeter wall restricts views, is an historical condition that should be maintained.


PRINCIPLE 7: No new buildings should be introduced to the East Terrace.


PRINCIPLE 8: Avoid the introduction of new facilities, even minor ones, to the west and north sides of the Pumping Station yard walls.


PRINCIPLE 9: The current surfaces of the Terrace and eastern area of the Prison can be maintained. If replaced, the new surface treatments should draw on the palette of existing materials.


PRINCIPLE 10: Avoid the introduction of outdoor furniture items and the proliferation of new hard landscape elements. New lighting systems should be discretely located and of a consistent contemporary design. Such should also be set off from the perimeter walls and should not involve penetrations to the significant fabric.

 

PRINCIPLE 11: New services, where required, should preferably be located underground.

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PRINCIPLE 12: Any new uses considered for the Reservoir chambers should not damage their spatial characteristics.

 

PRINCIPLE 13: The original 1890s fabric of the Pumping Station building, together with the yard walls, should be retained and conserved.

 

PRINCIPLE 14: Retain and conserve evidence of the Pumping Station operating independently and separately within its compound.

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PRINCIPLE 15: The fabric and form of the underground tunnels and shafts should be retained.
 

PRINCIPLE 16: The undulating form of rendered brick vaulting to the top of the Reservoir should be retained and not impacted by works.
 

PRINCIPLE 17: Ensure any potential future use of, and works to, the Reservoir does not detract from the presentation and spatial characteristics of the chambers.

 

PRINCIPLE 18: All original features and equipment associated with the water reticulation system should be retained and continue to be revealed.

 

PRINCIPLE 19: Subject to further investigation and sufficient evidence being available, the reinstatement of the original treatments to the openings of the Pumping Station building could be considered. Such works need to be balanced against the potential for damage to the existing original fabric through the removal of the later fabric.
 

PRINCIPLE 20: Maintain the separate entrance to the Pumping Station, as exists in the east Prison perimeter wall.

 

PRINCIPLE 21: Any works to the East Terrace involving the ground surface or the introduction of services should be preceded by an archaeological investigation of the site of the 1850s bath house and its associated well.

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PRINCIPLE 22: Interpretation of the East Terrace and its components is essential to conveying the history of this area of the Prison, including its role in water supply to the Prison and Fremantle.

Structures & Spaces Actions

ACTION 1: Consider the demolition of the western addition to the Pumping Station. However, prior to such demolition, the following steps should be taken:

  • Identify the works required to reinstate or reconstruct the original building form on its west side following demolition of the addition, and ensure the funds and resources are available to undertake these works.

  • Consider ongoing operational needs in terms of the use of the addition, and whether these can still be met in the absence of the addition.


ACTION 2: Maintain the interpretive experience located in the Pumping Station and tunnels and update from time to time to reflect the findings of further research and archaeological investigations.


ACTION 3: Continue to allow supervised public access to the underground spaces and elements, including the tunnels.

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ACTION 4: Continue to use and enhance the historical interpretation of the East Terrace and its components.


ACTION 5: Continue to use the East Terrace as an underground adventure tourism and visitor experience.

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