The railway station and goods yard were constructed on the eastern side of Gough Street between Lachlan Street at the Up end and Alice Street at the Down end. Simpson Street crosses the railway to the south of the station and continues eastwards to the cemetery and beyond. A Stationmaster's residence was constructed adjacent to the station at the end of Young Street and a. gatekeeper's cottage was built at the Simpson Street crossing, where gates were installed to prevent cattle and sheep entering the fenced railway corridor and also to protect the public from passing trains. The pump house for the railway water supply was located on the bend of the Deepwater River at a point due west of the station.
1.2 AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS
Donald Ellsmore Pty Ltd prepared this report with assistance from the following:
o Dr Donald Ellsmore - author and study team leader.
o Dr Andrew Messner - historical research.a Mr Jim Longworth - landscape and fencing.
o Mr Graham Harper - signalling and safeworking history. o Mr Graeme Henderson - watering facilities.
1.3 METHODOLOGY
The CMP was prepared in accordance with the NSW Heritage Manual,3 the Burra Charter' and the Conservation Plan.5 Its preparation accords with the methodology described in the Conservation Plan (Fifth Edition). The structure accords with the outline provided in article 26 of the Burra Charter on applying the Burra Charter.
1.4 LIMITATIONS
The study has been limited to a small degree by inconsistencies in the levels of input by the Severn Shire Council, The Deepwater and District FM Radio Inc. (co-tenant) and the Deepwater Creative Arts Society (co-tenant). A more equal representation from the community interests might have produced a plan with greater community support.
1.5 TERMINOLOGY
The terminology used in this CMP is the same as used in the Burra Charter.6 In particular the term `conservation' is used to mean all the processes of looking after the place so as to retain its cultural significance. `Place' means the railway station site, including the land, buildings,' landscape features, ballasted track formation, sleepers, rails, points, signals, fences, gates, signs, contents and any other railway components within the curtilage. 'Curtilage' is used to define the limits of the place, which are not always physical or legal boundaries but take into account views and appearance from within and from without. `Fabric' means all the physical material of the place including material components, surface coatings, fixtures, contents, and objects.
1.6 GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
In New South Wales today most country towns are in social and economic decline. The adoption of global economic policies and revolutions in transport and communication technologies has made remote rural railway services redundant. As a result Deepwater Railway Station will never function again as a railway station. Even if trains should ever return to the railway line for goods or passenger services the station would not be required for use in the way that it was intended when it was designed and constructed more than a century ago. Its future will be very different. It will almost certainly be related to community services and cultural heritage tourism.
............
notes
3/ See Model Brief for the Preparation of a Conservation Management Plan and `A suggested table of Contents for a Conservation management Plan that can be endorsed by the NSW Heritage Council.
4/ The Burra Charter (The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance) 1999.
5/ James Semple Kerr, The Fifth Edition Conservation Plan - A Guide to the Preparation of Conservation Plans for Places of European Cultural Significance. National Trust 2000.
6/ The terms are explained in articles L 1 to 1.17 of the Charter that is appended to this CMP. See Appendix 1, Section 9.0.
7/ The pumphouse is included in the curtilage even though it is physically remote from the station. The pumphouse was an essential element of the railway infrastructure at Deepwater and it remains in SRA ownership.
This CMP outlines a strategy for the conservation of the place and for its use as a destination in a cultural tourism map of New England. The plan was prepared with a view to understanding its significance and to promoting that significance to a wider audience through a regional strategy. Its implementation will be a joint undertaking between the local community (including the Severn Shire Council) and the NSW Government (SRA, Rail Estate) the principal stakeholders.
1.7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Donald Ellsmore Pty Ltd gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided by the following individuals and groups in the preparation of this Plan.
• Dr Andrew Messner, for researching the history of the Great Northern
Railway and for reporting it in a way that gives meaning to the place.
• Dr John Ferry for promoting the history of the railway in the north.
• Mr Jim Longworth for his energetic assessment of the ephemeral aspects of
railway history and railway management of gardens, fences and stockyards.
• Mr Graham Harper and Mr Graeme Henderson for adding their specialist
knowledge of railway operations and watering activities respectively.
• Mr Ray Cummins, The Deepwater and District FM Radio Inc., for assistance
on site.
• Dr Stuart Sharp, for ongoing advice and encouragement throughout the study.
• Mr Robert Langford, General manager, Severn Shire Council.
• Mr Neville Doughan, builder responsible for the restoration works in 2001.
This study is available to peruse at the Deepwater Railway Station each Saturday 10 am to 3pm.
The middle room will contain photos that deal with Deepwater its people . Photos can be purchased
Commencing from the 5th August 2006
Contact: Cafe Blue Belle, (02)67345477.
Hendrik Email dejong3@bigpond.com
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