Tamworth Street Lighting Plant

On 9 November 1888 the Tamworth Borough Council inaugurated Australia’s first electric street lighting plant on this site.

Two 12 horsepower stream engines driving Crompton 230 volt 18 kW dynamos supplied electricity to 52 street lights with carbon filament lamps and 7 arc lights.

The system was installed and initially operated by Sydney electrical engineers Harrison and Whiffen, agents for R E Crompton & Co of England.

Its success contributed significantly to the acceptance of electric lighting in Australia.

The plaque on the wall of a building at Tamworth.

The Engineers Australia plaque at Tamworth.

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Tamworth location map.

Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Historic Engineering Marker (HEM)
Award Date	9 November 1988
Heritage Significance	On 9 November 1888 the Tamworth Borough Council inaugurated Australia’s first electric street lighting plant on this site.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet	Not available.
Interpretation Panel	None Installed.

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Reference:
UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register, The Veness Letter Book at the Tamworth Powerstation Museum is the only known surviving record of official correspondence relating to the creation of Australia’s first municipal electric lighting system in Tamworth. Covering 1881–1890, it documents the development and installation of electricity in Australia and reflects decisions executed by Council Clerk Daniel Frederick William Veness. https://www.amw.org.au/register/listings/veness-letter-book