West Melbourne Gasworks

The West Melbourne Gasworks was a coal gasification plant in West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.^[1]

History[]

Melbourne was settled in 1835 and by the early 1850s, the gold rushes had led to rapid population growth. The City of Melbourne Gas and Coke Company leased 5 acres (2 hectares) of Crown Land in 1854 to construct a plant for the gasification of black coal. The works operated until 1962, importing coal via a dedicated wharf and a system of narrow gauge tracks drawn by steam locomotives.^[2] Several of these locomotives have been preserved and are now used on the Puffing Billy Railway.

In 1962, the works were upgraded to incorporate a catalytic oil gas facility, but this was short-lived. In 1970, the works was closed down and the remaining structures were all demolished by 1974.^[3]

Site extent[]

The works were gradually expanded between 1900 and 1910, eventually covering 8 hectares in an area now extending from Waterview Walk to the Yarra River, with the new Collins Street extension and Harbour Esplanade running through the site.

References[]

^ Circle of Influence – A History of the Gas Industry in Victoria Ray Proudley 1987, Hargreen Publishing Company in Association with the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria
^ Light Railways No.136 April 1997, Light Railways Research Society of Australia
^ Dames & Moore, 'Report, Environmental Audit Area A West Melbourne Gasworks Site,' 2002, Docklands Authority

[1] Circle of Influence – A History of the Gas Industry in Victoria Ray Proudley 1987, Hargreen Publishing Company in Association with the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria

[2] Light Railways No.136 April 1997, Light Railways Research Society of Australia

[Dames&Moore-3] Dames & Moore, 'Report, Environmental Audit Area A West Melbourne Gasworks Site,' 2002, Docklands Authority

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