Western Australia's Engineering History
Victoria Dam, opened 1891 (Photo: Water Corporation)
Fremantle Harbour, removing rock bar 1892 (Photo: SLWA 007138D)
Fremantle Harbour, jetty construction 1895 (Photo: RWAHS P2011.178)
Fremantle Harbour, busy wharves 1899 (Photo: SLWA 012463D)
Mundaring Weir, completed 1902 (Photo: SLWA 012653D)
Goldfields Pipeline 1903 (Photo: SLWA 000837D)
Narrows Bridge under construction 1959 (Photo: Don Young)
Ord River Diversion Dam 1963 (Photo: Water Corporation)
First ore train leaving Tom Price 1966 (Photo: Rio Tinto)
Stirling Bridge 1974 (Photo: A. Riddette)
North Rankin A Platform 1984 (Photo: Woodside)
Karratha Gas Plant 1989 (Photo: Woodside)
Engineering Heritage Western Australia (EHWA) captures the engineering achievements of Western Australia, through its people, eras, regions and engineering themes.
Our mission is to ensure Western Australia’s engineering history and heritage is widely valued and appropriately conserved. History and heritage are important not only for interesting stories, but also to provide guidance for the future. As Winston Churchill said:
“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”
A table of key engineering themes for Western Australia is available at Engineering Heritage Themes by State
Western Australian Engineering Eras
Pre 1826 : Aboriginal Technology
Western Australia has been occupied by Aboriginal people for at least 45,000 years. Survival in a harsh landscape required a sophisticated understanding of the land and use of appropriate technology. This technology included the use of fire, mining and fish traps. Beginning at Albany in 1826, the introduction of European technology led to a loss of Aboriginal technology. This section is a start in understanding that technology.
1826 - 1884: The Early Years
In the Early Years, Western Australia’s economy grew in very distinct cycles. After the initial surge of optimism, there was a long period of stagnation. With the arrival of convicts and the Royal Engineers, the construction of new roads, bridges, wells, Government House and Town Hall had a major impact. When convict transport ceased, telegraphs and rail were constructed but growth was still slow.
1885 - 1914: The Golden Age/Engineering Rush
While gold was still the State's major source of income, this era saw the expansion of the timber, wool and agriculture industries. As the population increased from 36,000 to more than 320,000, there was a massive development of rail, port, water supply, telegraph and electricity infrastructure. This era also saw the introduction of telephones and wireless and the formation of the State's first University.
1915 - 1945 : WWI, Depression, WWII
The period 1915 to 1945 was challenging with strikes and riots as well as the impacts of droughts, two world wars and the Great Depression. Throughout this period, the wheat and manufacturing industries provided strong growth with gold playing an important role in stabilising the economy. The Western Australia of 1945 was very different to 1915 with technology helping an isolated State connect with the rest of the world through wireless, telephony and aviation.
1946 - 1962: Post War Development
The period after 1945 saw a rise in the development of the State’s resource sector into a world scale industry and Western Australia’s increasing access to the rest of the world. Engineering design and construction of plant and equipment was largely sourced from overseas engineering companies however it laid the foundation for a robust local capability to emerge in subsequent years.
1963 - 1985: Increasing Momentum
Western Australia's rapid development during this era required a significant increase in engineering activity. Engineering was required for the new resource projects and for the significant growth in the housing, utility and transportation needs of a rapidly increasing population. This era saw the development of the iron ore and gas industries along with vast improvement in the rail, road, air and telecommunication links with the rest of Australia.
1986 - : Economic Consolidation
Late 20th century and early 21st century developments in Western Australia saw significant investment in infrastructure, as the population of the state grew; massive increases in production of iron ore in the Pilbara, as international demand for steel expanded, particularly in China; and a more general diversification of industry and minerals processing.
