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