Harbour Trust: The
Sites
Woolwich Dock and Parklands: About the Site
| Facts in Brief |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| Site Brochure |
- Download
the site brochure
(PDF, 205kb  )
|
Location Map
| 
|
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
is located in the suburb of Woolwich, on the Hunters Hill peninsula |
Natural Features of the Area
 The
Woolwich peninsula consists of a succession of knolls leading down to
the meeting point of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, 'Moocooboola'.
The dock at Woolwich cuts into Hawkesbury sandstone that was laid down
by an ancient inland river system. Weathering has resulted in a spur off
the Hunter's Hill/Woolwich ridgeline forming Clarkes Point at the meeting
of the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers.
The cliff lines on the Horse Paddock are part of the original land profile.
There are no apparent creek lines, although water seepage does occur
through the layers of rock, particularly on southern facing slopes.
Open forest and woodland originally covered much of the peninsula. Most
of this has been cleared, although nearby Kellys Bush is a remnant of
the vegetation.
Top of page
History of the site
Pre-1788: Indigenous Culture
The Hunters Hill area was inhabited by the Wallumedegal clan
and Aboriginal people would have used the Woolwich area for thousands
of years prior to European settlement.
However, due to industrial use of the dock and parklands no evidence
has been found of Aboriginal habitation although evidence exists at Kellys
Bush that includes shell middens and a scouring groove used to make stone
tools.
 1835-1898:
Clarke Family, Atlas Engineering and subdivision
In 1835 a family of cabinet-makers, the Clarkes, were granted land on
the eastern end of the peninsula (now Woolwich). They built several houses
on the site including 'Viewforth'. The western portion of the grant was
subdivided in 1880, creating Alfred and Margaret Streets.
The 10 acre eastern portion remained in the family until 1883 when it
was sold to Davy & Co., iron founder and then to Atlas
Engineering Company. The site was favoured for its deep water frontage
and proximity to shipbuilding works on Cockatoo Island.
One of the Clarke's houses was used as an office and new workshops were
erected. A floating dock was imported from England. Areas of foreshore
land were reclaimed and slipways were created on the southern side (now
Clarkes Point Reserve).
They built new workshops, fitted them out with the latest equipment and
linked them to wharves with tramways and cranes.
In 1895 subdivision of the rest of Clarke's land resulted in 24 residential
lots and the formation of Edgecliffe Road, Fernbank, Charlotte and William
Avenues, the last three streets now lost within the Horse Paddock site.
The 100 feet foreshore reservation was acquired for incorporation into
the subdivision.
The Atlas Engineering Company went into liquidation in 1893 but work
at the site continued until final closure in June 1898.
1898-1958: Morts Dock and Construction of the Dry Dock
 First Ship in Morts Dock, 1901 Morts Dock and Engineering Company, which operated a successful
dock at Balmain, purchased the site in 1898.
A local company, W. Solomon & Sons excavated 85,000 cubic
metres of sandstone to construct the new dry dock.
On 4 December 1901 the dock was officially opened and used for the repair
and fitting-out of large ships.
When it opened Woolwich Dock was the largest in Australia, 188 metres
long and 27 metres wide. A pumphouse was brought out in parts from England
to operate the dock.
Morts used the Atlas workshops, moved the boiler shop, established a
foundry and built several jetties.
Several extensions were carried out between 1902 and 1918 by W. Solomon
& Sons, which had completed the dock after the termination of
the original contractor, and the dock was lengthened to 260 metres. To
achieve this William Street was acquired and a new road constructed -
Franki Avenue, named after the general manager and later managing director
of the company, James Peter Franki.
In 1917 the company employed 1,500 people. The scale of the industrial
enterprise influenced the character of the surrounding development with
the provision of the Woolwich Pier Hotel and workers' housing.
In the 1940s the Atlas workshops were replaced by the sawtooth roofed
building and several brick buildings were added.
The busiest times for Woolwich Dock were during the two world wars when
many passenger vessels were converted to armed troopships and repairs
were carried out on damaged ships.
After the Second World War new work declined and the company closed
down in 1958.
 1963-1997:
Army Occupation
The site lay idle until the Army purchased it in 1963 for its water
based transport operations.
During this period the three oldest buildings on the site were demolished:
the relocated Atlas boiler shop, the pump house and an old galvanised
iron shed.
The Army erected a number of metal prefabricated buildings, added timber
fender piers and timber wharves to the dock itself and constructed a travelling
boat crane beside the dock.
They made use of the dock for launching craft and the workshops for repairs
and maintenance.
In 1997 the Army units based at Woolwich relocated to Townsville.
2001-today: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Woolwich Dock and the adjoining parklands (known as the Goat Paddock
and the Horse Paddock respectively) have been handed over to the management
of the Harbour Trust.
Click here to read about
the future plans for the site.
Top of page
Tenancy and Access Information
 Woolwich Dock today Woolwich Dock and Parklands are open sunrise to sunset every day, with
a walking track guiding walkers through the site and around the head of
the historic dock.
A consortium of organisations - known as Murlan Noakes - have successfully
been awarded a 25-year lease on many of the buildings at Woolwich Dock,
and will create a maritime village.
The Maritime Village will include shipbuilding and maintenance facilities,
a restaurant/cafe and function centre.
Together with the adjacent parklands, this new chapter in the life of
Woolwich Dock will provide the community with a vibrant asset right on
the harbour foreshores.
Further Information
You can find out more about Woolwich Dock Maritime Village at: www.woolwichdock.com
Top of page
Management Plan
The management plan for Woolwich Dock and Parklands was approved on 23
November 2004.
View the Woolwich Dock and Parklands
Management Plan
The Harbour Trust is currently finalising amendments to the plan, following
exhibition of Amendment 1 and submissions from the community.
Further Information
Any enquiries can be directed to the Community Consultation Coordinator
on (02) 8969 2100 or email: consulttrust@deh.gov.au.
Top of page
|
