Turning the Table at Central

Sydney’s transport hub at Central Station is being upgraded to incorporate the new Sydney Metro City and Southwest services.

Since 2017, Artefact has been working with the various providers across a range of projects to identify and manage the industrial heritage left from over 160 years of railway development.

Along with occupying the location of the former Devonshire Street Cemetery, the footprint of Central Station extends over the site of the first and second Sydney railway stations, and a host of supporting infrastructure. This includes the former locomotive workshops, turntables, goods sheds, carriage workshops, steam-train servicing facilities, electrical train services and historic tramway overlaying the 1840s Blackwattle Drain.

Image: Central Station photo by Skint.

OUR
SOLUTION

Artefact produced a GIS-based (geographic information system) archaeological zoning plan of Central Station based on historical plans, to identify the locations of former buildings and structures on the site from 1854 onwards.

Utilising the GIS system, Artefact provided onsite industrial heritage expertise to identify archaeological remains, determine the significance of the remains, and present management measures for implementation during works.

Artefact archaeologists undertook monitoring during ground disturbing works to identify items discovered by the works, assess their significance and ensure that they were managed according to agreed permit conditions.


SUCCESS

Artefact identified remains from the first railway turntable in NSW dating back to 1855 as well as the remains of the 1860s-era locomotive shed and the 1870s-era Goods Shed.

We also found the cobblestone surface of Sydney Yard and part of the old Devonshire Street

“It was a pleasure to work so seamlessly with the engineers and environmental managers from Laing O’Rourke on this major project. We were able to work together to minimise delays to the works program and to conserve significant industrial heritage at Central Station.”

Dr Iain Stuart,
Principal – Artefact 

Image: Archaeological excavation works being carried out on an 1863 engine shed at Central Station. 


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