Waddamana A Power Station
Background
This hydro-electric power station power station was built in 1916 in the central highlands of Tasmania. Waddamana was the centre point of the original Great Lakes power scheme. It was the brain child of Central Highlands sheep farmer, Harold Bisbee, and his brother-in-law, Prof Alex McAulay, professor of physics at the University of Tasmania.
Metallurgist, James Gillies, raised capital and construction commenced in 1911 in difficult terrain in, sometimes, appalling weather conditions and hampered by delays in getting equipment from Europe. Their aim was to create a zinc refining works to utilise Gillies’ patent for electrolytic refining of zinc and for a carbide manufacturing plant in Hobart to commence a secondary industry for Tasmania.
Although work was well advanced, the shortages of money and equipment plus lack of financial support from the government led to a government takeover and the creation of the Hydro-Electric Department in 1914 to finish the works and the commencement of a state-wide enterprise later called the Hydro-Electric Commission and now the Hydro. Waddamana Power Station was brought into use in 1916.
Equipment and Subsequent History
The original installation was two 3.65MW generators driven by double nozzle pelton wheel turbines. An additional turbine and generator were added in 1919 followed by six 5.96MW turbine and generators after 1922.
A second power station was added beside the original building in 1931 with four turbine generators (total output 48MW). This new power station was intended to replace the original station but lack of funds limited further construction and the original power station was retained and renamed Waddamana A. The 1931 power station was called Waddamana B.
Waddamana A was replaced by the new Poatina power station in 1965 and Waddamana B closed in 1995. Both Waddamana power stations are intact except for the penstocks and the switchyards. Waddamana A power station is open to visitors. A copy of the visitors leaflet provided by Hydro Tasmania is available here.
Red Gate Tramway
In 1912 there were no roads or other transport infrastructure in order to get people, equipment and supplies in and out of Waddamana. To alleviate some of the logistical challenges, the Red Gate Tramway was built. Images are courtesy of an article in the issue of the Light Railways magazine by Lindsay Whitlam.
Map
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | National Engineering Landmark (NEL) |
| Award Date | February 1995 |
| Heritage Significance | First large-scale hydro-electric power station in Australia. First power station in Australia remote from the users and connected to the customers by the first long distance transmission line in Australia. |
| Nomination Document | Nomination document |
