Paronella Park Hydroelectricity Scheme
Paronella Park is one of earliest tourist attractions in Northern Queensland. Jose Paronella, a Spanish immigrant built it as a public pleasure garden and entertainment venue in 1933-34 and operated it to his death in 1948. The park is located 34 kilometres south-west of Innisfail on Mena Creek Falls.
Inspired by the small hydroelectricity schemes in his native Spain, Paronella saw the potential of using Mena Falls to generate electricity. The design of the hydroelectricity scheme was supported by engineers from the South Johnstone Sugar Mill.
The hydroelectricity scheme consists of an intake weir above the falls supplying water through a headrace/water lock/penstock 27m long dropping 9.3m to a power station built above a natural lower-level pond for discharge. The water powers a Francis Boving and Company (London) 15 kW turbine with automatic governor control which used a belt drive to a 25 kW ex-army DC Generator. Output power was used to run the park DC lighting and the moving picture shows arc projector. After major flooding in 1946, the DC generator was replaced by a 25 kVA alternator, and finally fully refurbished in 2009, keeping the original turbine with a new 25 kVA directly coupled synchronous unit able to supply the local load and send surplus energy back into the local AC grid. When sufficient water flow is available, the scheme supplies the power needs for Paronella Park for 11 months annually, and as well earns annually approximately 60-70 Renewable Energy Certificates, equivalent to 60-70,000 kWh of generation from renewable sources.
The Paronella Park hydroelectricity scheme is the earliest application of river water hydroelectricity technology in Queensland, commissioned in 1933 and still using the original water turbine. It is privately owned; and operated for two years before the first public owned hydroelectricity scheme in Queensland at Barron Falls.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage Marker (EHM) |
| Award Date | November 2022 |
| Heritage Significance | The Paronella Park Hydroelectricity Scheme is the earliest application of the river water hydroelectricity technology in Queensland. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Not Available. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | Available here. |
