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Heritage Interpretation Concept Plan Bays 1 and 2 North, Locomotive Workshops Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh

Futurepast Heritage Consulting P/L

Final Report

February 2010

Heritage Interpretation Concept Plan–Bays 1 & 2 North, Locomotive Workshops, ATP

Final Report (February 2010) 1

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 2 1.1 PROJECT TEAM AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........................................................................3 1.2 LIMITATIONS ...................................................................................................................3

2.0 SITE LOCATION............................................................................................................. 4

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION, HISTORY AND THEMES .............................................................. 7 3.1 BRIEF SITE HISTORY ..........................................................................................................7 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF BAYS 1 AND 2 NORTH ...............................................................................9

3.3 Bays 1 and 2 North – Current situation .................................................................11 3.4 RELEVANT HISTORIC THEMES............................................................................................12

4.0 EXISTING INTERPRETATION........................................................................................ 18 4.1 LIMITATIONS OF EXISTING INTERPRETATION ........................................................................18

5.0 HERITAGE INTERPRETATION – GENERAL PRINCIPLES .................................................. 21

6.0 AUDIENCE .................................................................................................................. 23

7.0 INTERPRETIVE MEDIA................................................................................................. 26 7.1 ON SITE INTERPRETIVE MEDIA ..........................................................................................26 7.2 OFF SITE INTERPRETIVE MEDIA..........................................................................................29 7.3 EVENTS-‐BASED INTERPRETATION ......................................................................................30

8.0 PROPOSED INTERPRETATION ..................................................................................... 32 8.1 EXISTING RESOURCES......................................................................................................32 8.2 INTERPRETIVE MEDIA PALLET............................................................................................32 8.3 RECOMMENDED INTERPRETIVE WORKS ..............................................................................34

8.3.1 Barriers ...............................................................................................................34 8.3.2 Pathway..............................................................................................................35 8.3.3 Gathering / exhibition space (Bay 1 North) ........................................................38 8.3.4 Display space......................................................................................................38 8.3.5 Functional reorganisation ..................................................................................41 8.3.6 Signage...............................................................................................................43 8.3.7 Multimedia (audio / video).................................................................................43 8.3.8 Self-‐guided tour brochure...................................................................................44

9.0 OTHER RECOMMENDED WORKS ................................................................................ 45 9.1 CONSULTATION .............................................................................................................46

10.0 APPROVALS.......................................................................................................... 47

11.0 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................ 48 11.1 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIES..........................................................48

12.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 53



1.0 Introduction This document provides a Heritage Interpretation Concept Plan for Bays 1 and 2 North of the Locomotive Workshops building (‘Loco Workshops’) within the Australian Technology Park (ATP). The Australian Technology Park is managed by Australian Technology Park Precinct Management P/L (ATPPM), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA). Bays 1 and 2 North in the Locomotive Workshops at the Australian Technology Park contain areas largely unaltered from their operational configuration at the time the site ceased operation as a railway workshop in the 1980s. These areas contain significant collections of machinery, tools, equipment and furnishings which together help tell the story of the site during its period of operation. These areas are, however, generally of limited access to the public, have little in the way of existing interpretation and contain items that are out of context or which otherwise obscure the nature of these spaces. What interpretation there is tends to focus on the machinery and the building but does not give much insight into the human story of the many people who worked on the railways for nearly a century. The purpose of heritage interpretation is to help share and pass along what is significant about a place.1 Interpretation can assist visitors in understanding the history and significance of places, particularly aspects of that significance that may not be immediately apparent. At the Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops, substantial change has occurred to the building and the surrounding area which make it difficult for the casual visitor to the site to appreciate the scale and depth of the railway history on the site. Areas of the site which contain the majority of the in situ historical materials have been inaccessible to the casual visitor, rather than integrated into the main life of the ATP and its current uses. Improved interpretation in these areas will also help to humanise the history of the site, which is a largely overlooked aspect of the site’s heritage. David Lowenthal, writing in The Past is a Foreign Country, notes that it is the integration of the old and the new that will reinforce a connection to the place and its history to contemporary users, rather than a segregation of the past from the present.2 The aim of this Plan is to improve the integration of Bays 1 and 2 North into the contemporary life of the ATP. This Heritage Interpretation Concept Plan (‘the Plan’) has been developed to provide a concept for how the Bays 1 and 2 North areas of the ATP site can be made more accessible to visitors and more effectively interpret the story of the place. The Plan provides guidance as to how these areas can be effectively made accessible, identifies relevant historic themes and items of interest and provides a suggested layout for rearranging certain items and elements to make the spaces more understandable. The report discusses the potential types of interpretive media which could be sued on site, to present aspects of the site’s history to different

1 NSW Heritage Office (2005) Heritage Information Series: Interpreting Heritage Places and Items Guidelines.

Pg 4. 2 Lowenthal, D (1985) The Past is a Foreign Country. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp 359-‐360.



audiences. Where necessary, ancillary works are identified which may be required to make the spaces more accessible, weather resistant or otherwise improve the interpretability of Bays 1 and 2 North.

1.1 Project team and acknowledgements This document was prepared by Dr MacLaren North, Director, Futurepast Heritage Consulting P/L, with input and review from John Gibson, Heritech Consulting and William Blackledge of Long Blackledge Architects. Long Blackledge also prepared the drawings. The project team would like to acknowledge the input and support of:

• Chris Saunders, Graham Stevens, ATP Precinct Management P/L • Richard Butcher, retired employee and author • Professor Lucy Taksa, labour and management historian, Macquarie

University

1.2 Limitations This Interpretation Concept Plan addresses the areas of Bays 1 and 2 North in the Locomotive Workshops only. It does not address interpretation elsewhere on site or the linkages of the ATP site to the other parts of the former Eveleigh Railway Yard to the west and north. The Plan has been restricted to Bays 1 and 2 North to address immediate management issues within this area, which contains some of the most intact assemblages of industrial heritage on the site. This area also presents the greatest immediate opportunity due to the upcoming works proposed to improve the public domain in Innovation Plaza, as well as serving as a major entrance and gateway to the area. Furthermore, this document is a concept-‐level Interpretation Plan only. It identifies issues, opportunities, themes and potential reconfigurations of the site, as well as required ancillary works, but does not provide the detailed design, suggested text or specific interpretive media recommended for this area. This document, once endorsed, should however be used to guide these later stages of works to the site.



2.0 Site location The Australian Technology Park is located in part of the area that was the Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops, south of the main railway line to Redfern Station. While historically the site was managed as one unit, since its shutdown as a railway workshop in the 1980s the site has been split into separate management.

Figure 1 -‐ ATP site plan

This Interpretation Plan relates solely to the areas of Bays 1 and 2 North of the Locomotive Workshop building within the Australian Technology Park, marked with a red circle. The boundary of the ATP site is outlined in red.3

3 Note this aerial photo does not reflect the most recent works to the site, such as the construction of the new

Channel 7 building.

Loco Workshops

IBC

NIC

Water Tower

Innovation Plaza

Area covered by this Interpretation Plan



Figure 2 -‐ Detail of east end of Locomotive Workshops

Bays 1 and 2 North are directly adjacent to Innovation Plaza, which is a major thoroughfare through the site and lies between ATP’s two main heritage buildings: the Locomotive Workshops and the National Innovation Centre (former Engine Shop). Due to this proximity, Bays 1 and 2 are high visibility areas for visitors to the site, particularly those walking through the site from Redfern Station to the northeast. Bay 1 North has several openings and windows onto Innovation Plaza which provide visual access to this area. The main eastern entrance to the Locomotive Workshops is via Bay 1. This provides significant opportunities to interpret these areas for both regular and casual visitors to the site. Under a separate project the public domain area of Innovation Plaza is being improved with additional seating and reuse of industrial heritage items for the site, including the relocation of the Steam Crane and the Pivot Crane into the Plaza. This

Bays 1 & 2 North

Entrance

Path from Redfern Station

Proposed location for the Steam Crane

Proposed location for the Pivot Crane



will provide additional visitor interest and create further opportunities to link to the Bays 1 and 2 North interpretation.

Figure 3 -‐ East wall of the Locomotive Workshops, looking south along Innovation Plaza

Note the large lift door and glassed atrium (marked with arrows). These areas provide visual access to Bay 1 North to casual passers-‐by but at present this area is a jumble of materials with no interpretive media to encourage viewing. Opportunities exist to provide more interesting spaces for viewing as well as the placement of interpretive media either outside or inside the building in these locations. The proposed upgrade to the public domain of Innovation Plaza will provide opportunities to link with and direct visitors to interpretation within the building.



3.0 Site description, history and themes This section sets out an outline of the site’s history, the nature of the heritage items remaining on site and explores the historic themes and interpretive messages which could be used to interpret that history. The themes and messages discussed below are not meant to be prescriptive, but are meant to guide the development of final interpretive media for Bays 1 and 2 North. It should be noted that these themes relate primarily to this area of the site and do not attempt to encompass all of the potential interpretive themes which may relate to this site’s history in general.

3.1 Brief site history The Australian Technology Park is located within the former Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops, which were themselves a part of the larger Eveleigh Railway Workshops, comprised of the Locomotive Workshops, the Carriage Workshops (north of the railway line), the Large Erecting Shop (west of the Locomotive Workshops) and other now-‐demolished buildings including trade-‐specific workshops (Wheel Shop, Spring Shop, etc), running sheds and other railway infrastructure. While these areas were once an integrated unit whose components serviced each other and were centrally managed by the NSW Railways, since their shutdown in the 1980s the site has been subdivided and divested to different government instrumentalities. The Locomotive Workshops were redeveloped in the 1990s as the Australian Technology Park while the Carriage Workshops were redeveloped as the CarriageWorks theatre and arts space. Much of the land to the west, including the Large Erecting Shop, remains operational railway land under the control of RailCorp. The Locomotive Workshops commenced operation in 1888 and were the central location for the construction of steam locomotives in NSW. The Loco Workshops built locomotive engines from raw materials and trades such as blacksmithing, patternmaking, boilermaking, founding and others were all found on the site. The Locomotive Workshops were one of the largest industrial enterprises in Australia and served as a training ground for thousands of apprentices, tradesmen and engineers. It was also the centre for union activity, politics and avocation for workers’ rights and safety. The Locomotive Workshops were state-‐of-‐the-‐art workshops for their time and were constantly reconfigured as technology changed and new innovations were developed. In its earliest configuration the Workshops had extensive steam and hydraulic systems to drive lineshafting and hydraulically powered equipment throughout the site. Later, with the electricity of gas and electricity, the use of these original systems became less important, though portions of these early power systems remain on site. New machinery and equipment were brought onto site as required, often necessitating the establishment of specialist facilities within the site (e.g. for some of



the Genovise precision milling machinery) and the retraining of staff. This process continued up until the close of the workshops.

Figure 4 – Example of lineshafting formerly used throughout the Workshops. Interpretation allows lost elements of the site’s history – such as lineshafting, which powered much of the original machinery – top be illustrated to visitors.4

The Workshops were the site of a massive labour force, with several thousand workers on site at the height of its operations. This reflected the manual nature of much of the early work, as well as the massive scale of the operation in general. Conditions were, however, not ideal and union-‐led political activity on the site led to the introduction of facilities for workers which are now considered basic and commonplace. Basic things such as wash basins, toilet facilities and showers were all hard-‐won concessions. The site became known as a major centre of worker-‐led Communist political activity in the early 20th century, with one of the areas where union meetings were held known as Red Square. The presence of the Workshops also put its stamp on the surrounding suburbs. Redfern, Alexandria and Erskineville were comprised of many workers’ cottages to hold the population which worked at and supported the Workshops. Small industrial enterprises were mixed in amongst the residential dwellings, which continues to help define the mixed urban pattern found today. The Workshops also had indirect (and, in retrospect, undesirable) impacts on the adjacent residential areas, through noise, smell, ash and other by-‐products of the operation. Changes in technology and work practices were the ultimate downfall of the Locomotive Workshops. The switch to diesel and, later, electric trains saw much of 4 State Library of NSW Photo Collection – At Work and Play 01350



the maintenance activity move from Eveleigh to newer workshops such as those at Chullora in western Sydney. Workshops became more automated, requiring less space and fewer tradesmen and evolving occupational health and safety requirements rendered much of the operations at Eveleigh redundant. Locomotive construction and maintenance was also progressively outsourced to private companies with new purpose-‐built facilities elsewhere in NSW or overseas. By the mid-‐1980s the vast enterprise at Eveleigh was largely redundant and in 1986 the site ceased operation as a railway facility. The site was used as the home for Paddy’s Markets for a short period in the 1990s while the Markets site in Haymarket was redeveloped. In the early 1990s the site was proposed for redevelopment as a technology park, with the former Works Manager’s Office (now the International Business Centre) the first building to be adapted, followed by the Engine Shop (now the National Innovation Centre) and the Locomotive Workshops. Most other structures on the site were removed during that period, much of the machinery, tools and equipment were disposed of and the southern areas of the site have been progressively redeveloped with modern office facilities. The heritage of the Eveleigh Workshops is indelibly stamped on the fabric of the site and has been successfully interwoven with the modern uses of the place. Improving the interpretation of the site, starting with Bays 1 and 2 North, will ensure contemporary visitors have an appreciation for and understanding of the history, people, conditions and technology that all helped create the Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops.

3.2 Description of Bays 1 and 2 North Bays 1 and 2 North are the most intact areas of the Locomotive Workshops, having been essentially disused since the closure of the site in the 1980s. While these areas have been used for storage and temporary uses and some original materials have been lost, the basic layout of these spaces reflects their operational configuration from about the 1950s to the time of shutdown. Remnants of earlier configurations survive but as these areas were changed and upgraded regularly, it is not possible, nor desirable, to try and reinstate any one particular configuration or period. This variety of equipment and altered layout is reflective of one of the key historic themes of the place – that of technological change. The primary component of Bay 1 North is the Davy Press and its support infrastructure, in a dirt floored space. This massive machine was installed in 1926 and sits in the centre of the bay surrounded by tools and equipment related to its use. Along the eastern wall are the vessels associated with the steam hydraulic system which helped drive the press. In the northeastern corner is a massive gas fired furnace, a later installation to the site (circa 1960s), which heated the billets for working. An overhead travelling crane rests above the bay and was used to lift metal billets in and out of the furnace and the press, with a crew of up to six men helping to hold, turn and manipulate the metal as it was worked.5 Along the central columns

5 R. Butcher. Pers. Comm.



are racks of tools and dies used to shape and work metal into various forms. Mixed amongst this collection are pieces of partially worked metal, reflecting the work in progress at the site at the time it was shut down.

Figure 5 -‐ Bay 1 North

This area is presently jumbled with tools, work in progress and spare architectural elements, mixed in amongst the in situ material and equipment. There are also several machines stored in this Bay which do not relate to the use of the area. Ideally these items should be removed to other areas of the site, or offered to other collecting institutions. This will create additional space to present Bay 1 North in a more functional layout and facilitate its interpretation. Due to the sheer scale of the Davy Press, Bay 1 North is an important place to demonstrate the difficult nature of work previously undertaken on the site and the size of the effort involved in manufacturing locomotives. It is a place that can help visitors understand the scale of the industrial enterprise as well as the size of the workforce which was required to operate such large machinery and manually handle enormous pieces of raw materials. The remaining samples of partially worked steel billets, partially forged steam hammer shafts and train parts help attest to the variety of work undertaken at the place and the level of effort required to transform raw steel into a functioning locomotive.



Figure 6 -‐ Bay 2 North

Bay 2 North is the Hammer Shop and contains four large steam hammers as well as small forges and many hand tools. It also contains other machinery which is out of its original context but, for reasons of space, may need to remain and be interpreted within this area of the site. At present many of the tool racks are pushed together and disordered and will need to be relocated into a more functional arrangement. Where possible, machinery that does not relate to the Hammer Shop should be relocated out of the area or offered to other collecting institutions if of low significance. The Hammer Shop also contains the remnant of one of the oldest remaining machines on site – the Whitworth Lathe Bed. This item, while incomplete, was installed at the site in 1887 and demonstrates the change in technology and work practices to the site. This item was relocated to Bay 2 North sometime after 1912.

3.3 Bays 1 and 2 North – Current situation At present, visitors can only access these areas visually, through a fence along the centre aisle of the Loco Workshops building. This space is presently crowded with the presence of a large Steam Crane and operational equipment (e.g. cherrypickers, forklifts) are often stored in this area, making it both crowded and uninviting for visitors. There is limited interpretation along this fence and no opportunities for guided or self-‐guided access to these areas of the site. The proposals outlined in this document go some way to improving the visitor experience of these areas. These areas contain a confusion of materials, relocated machinery and operational spares, mixed in with in situ tools and equipment. This confusion of items serves to



obscure the original layout and function of the areas and makes interpretation difficult at present.

Figure 7 -‐ Concrete area outside of Bay 1 North , which would be an ideal location for the placement of interpretive material.

This concrete area is adjacent to Bay 1 North and provides the ideal location for the installation of some interpretive materials. It is however often used for the storage of site machinery such as the forklift in the photo. To be an effective interpretive space this type of operational equipment needs to be kept out of the area.

3.4 Relevant historic themes This section identifies potential historic themes which could be effectively interpreted within Bays 1 and 2 North. These are drawn from the NSW framework for Historic Themes set out in the NSW Heritage Manual6. These themes should be seen as broad guides and the points beneath them more detailed issues which can be explored using the resources of this space. It is not necessary to interpret all themes within the space and this would in fact be undesirable7, as it would lead to a crowded and potentially confusing interpretive experience. In some cases, themes may be explored on their own or relate to a specific issue or topic within this area. In other cases, interpretation may weave together a number of thematic ideas into a richer exploration of interrelated issues. Brief statements or

6 Heritage Office and Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (1996) NSW Heritage Manual: History and

Heritage. Pg 6. 7 Interpretation Guidelines pg 15



questions are provided against each of the themes and identified sub-‐themes which may be suitable for more detailed exploration at the design development stage of the interpretation of the place. The list of themes below should not be viewed as prescriptive. Other themes, questions and issues worthy of examination and interpretation may also come to light through consultation and in the development of interpretive media. Most of the themes are framed as questions which may be relevant to the visitors to the site or the site’s history. The issue then is how the interpretive media addresses those (or other) questions regarding the site’s history. Transport (NSW Historic Theme # 13):

• Locomotive manufacture – how did Bays 1 and 2 North fit into the manufacture of locomotives on site? What specialised skills and trades were required? What did these areas contribute to the workings of the workshop in comparison to other areas?

Industry (NSW Historic Theme #16):

• Manufacturing techniques – how did the Davy Press and Hammer Shop operate? How was a raw piece of metal worked into a new tool or part for a machine?

• Smithing/forging – what purpose did the different tools and pieces of equipment serve in the smithing and forging process? What did it take to become a smith? What did it take physically?

Labour (NSW Historic Theme #17):

• Work force – what was the size and makeup of the workforce in this part of the site? How many people were required to operate the equipment? How long did it take to make a component of a locomotive? What interaction did this require with the other trades on the site?

• Changing nature of work – how did work evolve in these areas over 100 years? What were these areas used for at different times?

• Unionisation – what was the role of the unions on the site? How did they help affect the working conditions of the workers? What was the relationship with railway management?

• Labor Party politics – how did the Australian Labor Party develop on the site? How did Labor politicians such as JST McGowan and William McKell rise from Eveleigh boilermakers to Premiers of NSW?

Commerce (NSW Historic Theme #18):

• Railways and economic development – how did the railway workshops contribute to the economic development of the local area and the state?



What were the support industries elsewhere which were necessary to keep the workshops running?

• Primary production – how did Eveleigh support the transport of good from primary industries in domestic and international trade?

• Adaptive reuse – why was the site redeveloped? What were the changes required to transform the place from a locomotive workshop to a modern office park?

Figure 8 -‐ Historic photos of Eveleigh workers (National Library of Australia)

The histories of the people who worked on this site are one of the underrepresented aspects of the site’s history. At present the emphasis is on machinery and technology rather than the human stories. Technology (NSW Historic Theme # 19):

• Steam technology – how did the steam power systems work on the site and how did it drive the machines? What were the specialised trades or activities required to keep it going? Where did the coal come from to operate the boilers and how was it managed on site?

• Changing technology – what were the impacts of the change from coal to gas-‐fired steam power? What were the impacts of the change from lineshaft driven machinery to electrically driven machinery?

• Historic vs modern technology – discuss the contract between the historical and modern technology on site. How did new technology get introduced to



the site? Was it driven by a desire for workplace efficiency, work safety or other forces?

• Management – how did management practices innovate at Eveleigh to respond to changing technology and the roles of workers?

Figure 9 -‐ This steam crane remains on the ATP site but has no interpretation8

Providing signage with historic photos and captions helps bring to life what can otherwise be rather obscure machinery to the non-‐specialist. This crane is to be conserved and relocated to Innovation Plaza, ideally with interpretive media. Government and Administration (NSW Historic Theme #21):

• The operation of the workshops – how did these areas of the Workshops operate? How were the work crews organised and managed? How much autonomy did the work crews have, if any? How were the priorities set for the day’s work and over longer periods?

• Centralised manufacture – what were the implications of centralised manufacture of locomotives by a government enterprise? Why did this change to the outsourced model of locomotive manufacture today?

• Public sector industries – how did the public sector enterprise at Eveleigh change over time? How did this relate to overall changes in NSW politics?

8 State Library of NSW Photo Collection -‐ Home and Away -‐ 17151



How did other government-‐run industrial enterprises (e.g. power generation) change at the same time?

Health (NSW Historic Theme #29):

• Working conditions – what were the working conditions like in this area? How do they differ from modern working conditions? What were the concessions workers won on the site to improve those conditions over time? How did that occur? What did it smell like and feel like to work in this environment?

• Work safety – were the working conditions in these areas ‘safe’ by modern standards? What safety equipment or precautions were undertaken? How were materials that are now considered hazardous handled on site?

• Caring for workers – how did professions such as industrial nursing develop to support the conditions of workers at Eveleigh? What were the health drivers that required new responses in how workers were cared for at their place of work?

Figure 10 -‐ Changing work practices.9 This photo shows how a common task – pouring molten metal into moulds – was undertaken without any safety equipment and with a great deal of manual handling. Interpretation helps a visitor appreciate both the change in work practices and the skill of those workers who were able to undertake this task repeatedly.

9 State Library of NSW Photo Collection -‐ Home and Away -‐ 17144



Education (NSW Historic Theme #32):

• Training of apprentices – where did the workforce on the site come from? How were they trained? How long did the training take? What were the career prospects and career paths on the site, or elsewhere?

Many of these themes and questions relate to issues across the site as a whole. It will therefore be necessary to ensure the themes are focused on the particular issues and circumstances of this particular area of the site, but link to the wider issues elsewhere.



4.0 Existing interpretation At present, the interpretation within the ATP site is mixed. It includes exterior and interior signage for differing ages, as well as individual items of machinery, often out of their original context. Apart from Bays 1 and 2 and certain external areas of the site (e.g. outside Bay 4 South) most machines are out of their original context and exist without any functional relationship to one another. This leads to a disconnected interpretive experience and tends to focus attention more on the monumental nature of much of the machinery rather than how it worked, why it was important to the site or how it fit into the overall working of the site. Existing interpretation also largely ignores the human element of the story of the Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops, with little information regarding the workers on the site and no individual stories. These existing interpretive elements are better than no interpretation, but ideally should be linked with an overarching interpretive framework, which links the key messages between different areas of the site and tells a story which encourages visitors to explore the various areas of the site to more fully appreciate its history. While a full re-‐examination of the existing interpretation is outside the scope of this document, it is possible to provide a linked interpretive experience, at the micro level, within the areas of Bays 1 and 2 North. As these areas contain complementary trades it is relatively straight forward to link visitor experiences from Bay 1 to Bay 2 or vice versa. Interpretation in this area is also assisted by the operating blacksmithing enterprise which provides some of the intangible elements of the site’s operation, most particularly smell, noise and the physical act of working. Some aspects of the site interpret themselves. The scale of the space for example – the high ceilings, massive doors and railway tracks in the floor, serve as clear examples of the nature of the enterprise which was once undertaken on site. Other nearby elements, such as the Steam Crane (which will be relocated into the Innovation Plaza) and the passenger carriage used as offices by 3801 Ltd give some indication of the size of the items which were constructed on the site (even though these items were not themselves specifically built at Eveleigh). Where possible, then, the interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North should leverage off of these existing interpretive elements and not seek to recreate or duplicate them, but should encourage further exploration of the place by both the casual visitor and the interested enthusiast.

4.1 Limitations of existing interpretation An overall limitation to the interpretation of both Bays 1 and 2 North and the interpretation of the other areas of the site is a lack of integration. The existing interpretation consists principally of signage of different vintages either alone or in conjunction with one or more machines. Many of the machines are out of their



original context and their function and operation is not readily apparent. Most lack their drive systems and it is unclear how they were powered. In future, site interpretation can be strengthened through the development of an overall approach to interpretation of the ATP site, its elements (e.g. the buildings, both extant and demolished) and its linkages to the adjacent railway sites such as CarriageWorks, North Eveleigh and the Large Erecting Shop. Ideally this should include a consistent ‘look and feel’, possibly through the use of an interpretive ‘brand’ which is used consistently across the various areas and sites. This would serve to give an overall unity to interpretation of the wider precinct and provide both linkages and incentives for interested visitors to explore other areas both within and adjacent to the ATP site. In terms of the areas of Bays 1 and 2 North only, the existing interpretation is, at present, minimal. It is restricted to two small signs, one at each bay, which provide only very limited information regarding these spaces and their uses. While there is visual access to the spaces generally, it is not necessarily apparent what the use and functions were for the different elements within them and there is not opportunity for closer inspection. There is also little information on the workforce who operated within these spaces. The presence of the adjacent commercial blacksmithing operation in Bays 1 and 2 South does provide some surrogate interpretation in this area, although again the formal interpretation is limited to a few signs. The normal operational activities within the blacksmithing license area do however give visitors an opportunity to see some of the sorts of activities which would have been undertaken within bays 1 and 2 and the noise and smells generated from this work give a bit of an appreciation for what the working conditions would have been like. These adjacent activities do not however serve as a substitute for more formal interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North for several reasons. Significantly, the types of activities undertaken within the license area, while using some of the traditional machinery and techniques, are not related to the manufacture of locomotives or railway equipment. Bay 2 South particularly has been reconfigured to suit the needs of this commercial operation – essentially adaptively reusing this area – so while it is possible to gain an appreciation for some aspects of smithing and metalworking, these activities are not necessarily directly analogous to what was occurring within these areas during the period of railway manufacture. Furthermore, the activities within the license area are driven by the needs of the commercial enterprise and thus it is not necessarily assured that particular activities will be occurring at particular times, other than occasional pre-‐arranged public open days, thus giving an inconsistent visitor experience. The interpretation of these spaces should therefore ‘borrow’ where possible from the ongoing activities but put them within the context of the modern use of the Loco Workshops. Ideally it would be desirable to make linkages to the Large Erecting Shop and the activities undertaken within that space, as the ongoing work in that area



more directly relates to the types of activities that were undertaken in Bays 1 and 2 during the period of operation of the Loco Workshops. Again, this latter idea is outside the scope of this document however merits exploration in any future integrated approach to interpretation across the ATP site and adjacent areas.



5.0 Heritage interpretation – general principles The Heritage Council of NSW’s Guidelines on heritage interpretation note that for heritage places which attract visitors, interpretation should become an integral component of the way the site should be managed.10 The interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North therefore need to be considered as part of day-‐to-‐day site management and maintenance activities which will require the ongoing attention of site management in order to be effective. In the context of this report, the following definitions have been adopted:

“Interpretation means all the ways of presenting the significance of an item. Interpretation may be a combination of the treatment and fabric of the item; the use of the item; the use of interpretive media, such as events, activities, signs and publications, or activities, but is not limited to these. Interpretation plan is a document that provides the policies, strategies and detailed advice for interpreting a heritage item. It is based on research and analysis and plans to communicate the significance of the item, both during a conservation project and in the ongoing life of the item. The plan identifies key themes, storylines and audiences and provides recommendations about interpretation media. It includes practical and specific advice about how to implement the plan. Interpretation policy consists of clauses and guidelines that provide an intellectual and conceptual framework for communicating the significance of an item. Policies may deal with fabric, setting, history, archaeology, audiences and other people, contents, related places and objects, disturbance of fabric, research, records.” -‐ Heritage Council of NSW Heritage Interpretation Policy (2005)

The purpose of the interpretation of these areas should be to provide visitors with an experience that helps them explore and understand the history and importance of the place in ways which they might not be able to on their own. That said, interpretation need not be didactic or dogmatic, but should rather inform visitors and open up their minds to think about the issues the interpretation raises. The interpretation need not resolve these issues for the visitor. Interpretation needs to be appropriate for a variety of audiences and therefore must operate on a range of levels. This can include on-‐ and off-‐site interpretation, interpretation aimed at different ages, at casual visitors and at knowledgeable specialists and enthusiasts. The media used need to be appropriate to the site and

10 Interpretation Guidelines Pg 4



its conditions and must be suitable to the visitor experience and robust enough to stand up to visitation. It should also draw visitors through the site and sufficiently engage them to complete the interpretive experience. This latter goal will however vary depending on the nature of the visitor. Interpretation can also be staged – it is not necessary to establish all interpretive media at one time provided each stage is designed and installed so as not to preclude later works. Staged implementation is desirable as it allows the review of the visitor experience, tailoring the interpretation as required. Interpretation also requires periodic refreshing, to address the inevitable wear and tear on interpretive media but also to ensure that the interpretation is relevant and engaging. Refreshing also provides opportunity to explore different themes, tell new stories, correct errors or provide new information which may come to light over time. Thus any interpretation implemented within Bays 1 and 2 North should not be seen as set in stone but will need to change and evolve as required.



6.0 Audience The audience for the interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North will vary from casual one-‐off visitors to the site to workers arriving on a daily basis to heritage and railway enthusiasts who may seek the site out. Some audiences will be interested in a quick, casual interpretive experience while others will desire a longer, more in-‐depth experience. There will also be people interested in the site who may have little or no opportunity to visit it but who can be catered for through off-‐site interpretation. At this stage, there is little direct data regarding visitation to the site but ATPPM has provided the following estimated visitation figures in the following categories: Workers and tenants – people who come to the site on a daily basis, either working for one of the on-‐site businesses or in a support role to the businesses. Many of these will be people working in the high tech or media industries and will have an expectation that the quality of the interpretation will reflect the general quality of the fitout and design of other areas of the ATP. They may dip into the interpretation of the site from time-‐to-‐time, but will be passive consumers of interpretive media on an almost daily basis. Workers may explore different area of the site during lunch hours or other breaks, in addition to the areas of their immediate workplace. They will typically be on site during normal working hours, say 8AM to 6PM. Visitors – casual visitors to the site, who may come only once or on an occasional basis. These will be people visiting one of the businesses or coming on to the site for a short-‐term purpose. They may or may not be aware of or pass through the major interpretive spaces of the ATP but would take away general impressions of the site. Casual visitors may not have any extended time in which to consume in-‐depth media, but if their interest is piqued, they may have an incentive to return. Casual visitors are likely to come and go from specific areas of the site related to their visit and may not have the time or incentive to explore other areas. They will typically be on site during normal working hours, say 8AM to 6PM. Public – this may include the nearby residents (both long-‐term and recent arrivals) who may have a personal association with the site, may use it for recreation or as a pedestrian or cycle shortcut to other areas such as Redfern Station or Henderson Road. Members of the public may also come from the wider area of Sydney to attend an event or out of interest in the heritage of the site. They may not feel welcome to enter the buildings on the site as these are working commercial spaces but may explore the outdoor areas to a greater extent than other visitors. They may be using the site out of normal work hours, either on their way to or from work, or in the evenings or weekends. School children – school children will typically arrive in groups under supervision of a teacher or other adult and will be generally attending a specific event. They will have limited freedom to wander the site and so may only see specific areas related to the



purpose of their visit. As pre-‐organised groups they do present an opportunity for a guided interpretive experience around the site, which could be general in nature or link to specific educational outcomes (depending on the group and school). School children would generally only be on site during normal work hours and may have little or no opportunity to return to the site. School children are likely to be interested in interactive and hands-‐on experiences over more passive interpretation such as signage. Event attendees – event attendees will be short-‐term, possibly one-‐off visitors to the site for a major event. Typically these will be trade shows, media events or conferences being held in the Exhibition Hall or one of the other major venues on site. Event attendees may have limited time to explore other areas of the site, but scope exists for visitation during breaks as well as for guided interpretive experiences organised as a part of the conference. Opportunities may also exist for special events with a heritage theme for some or all participants in the event. As short-‐term visitors with a specific focus, they may be well suited to intensive, in-‐depth interpretive experiences. These visitors also have the potential to ‘spread the word’ about the site if they have a positive interpretive experience. Event visitors may visit the site both during normal working hours and out of hours. Special interest groups – special interest groups are those groups with a specific connection with or interest in the site which may be unrelated to the present use of the site. These groups may be very well informed about the site and its history, or may have a deep interested and be seeking to build their knowledge. These groups are likely to organise their visits in advance and want an in-‐depth or behind-‐the-‐scenes level of access suited to small, knowledgeable groups who will also respect the site. Potential special interest groups could include:

• Retired workers – there is an active community of retired workers from the site who may be able to enhance what is known about the site and help improve future visitor experiences.

• Railway enthusiasts – people interested in railways and railway heritage but who have no direct connection with the site. These groups may be interested in technical aspects of the site and desire a greater level of depth of experience and information than other visitors. They are also likely to be interested in the connection of the ATP site to the other areas of the Railway Workshops.

• Heritage enthusiasts – amateur or professionals involved with heritage conservation who will be interested in the site’s history, but also the integration of the old and new aspects of the site, the quality of the interpretation and the quality of the visitor experience. They may be interested in the technical aspects of the site’s conservation and its ongoing management.

• Educators and researchers – this may include educators at school or university level, who are interested in presenting the site and its heritage to students of differing levels, or in conducting their own research into the place. They may have a desire for detailed documentation or archival



information regarding the site which may not necessarily be available through ATPPM, however it should be possible to provide pointers as to where this information may be found.

• Historians – this may include professional, amateur and family historians who are interested in researching the history of the site, its people and work practices.

Off-‐site audiences – these are people who may have no opportunity or capacity to visit the site (i.e. they are located interstate or overseas) but are interested in the history, stories and experiences of the Eveleigh Locomotive workshops. Off-‐site audiences could overlap with some of the audiences identified above, particularly railway and heritage enthusiasts and schoolchildren. The primary way these people are likely to experience the site is through printed media (brochures or books) or electronic media such as webpages or electronic documents. The point of access for these off-‐site visitors will be via the ATP corporate website, or the websites of related agencies such as the Redfern Waterloo Authority, Heritage Branch Department of Planning or other heritage or railway interest groups. Having a range of interpretive material of different levels of detail, as well as appropriate crosslinking to other sites of relevance will be important in the off-‐site visitor experience. While it is not necessary to cater to every one of these visitor types, it is necessary to recognise that they exist. Over time, it may be necessary or desirable to adjust interpretive practice and media to address the needs of these different audiences, based on the monitoring of visitation and usage. Audiences will change over time and can be influenced by a range of factors beyond the control of site management which may see interest in the site’s heritage wax and wane over time. Monitoring of visitation will be an important part of ensuring the interpretation of the site remains engaging and relevant to present and future audiences.



7.0 Interpretive media This section explores the range of potential on-‐ and off-‐site interpretive media which would be appropriate to interpret various aspects of Bays 1 and 2 North. Many of the media can be used to interpret multiple themes or issues concurrently. It is desirable that there is consistency across different types of media in terms of messages and content, as well as look-‐and-‐feel. Other aspects of the design of interpretive media, in addition to their content, assist in interpreting subtle aspects of the site’s significance. For example, as an industrial site it is more appropriate to ensure that interpretive materials reflect the pallet of materials already on site, such as masonry and metal, rather than using materials which are not typical to the site, such as timber or plastic. Other materials such as glass can be more neutral in character, allowing for a contemporary look to interpretive materials without unnecessarily intruding on the site. The pallet of materials used for ancillary works, if sympathetic, also serves to support the interpretive media by providing consistency.

7.1 On site interpretive media On-‐site interpretive media include those types of media which can be physically installed within Bays 1 and 2 North and can present one or more of the interpretive themes identified earlier in the document.

• Signs – signage, while seemingly old fashioned, remains one of the most effective interpretive mediums. Signs are relatively inexpensive, durable and suitable for presenting a mix of images and textual information. Signs can be produced in a variety of styles and can be relocated if required without a great deal of difficulty. When installing signs it is important that they not be affixed to heritage items in a manner which would cause any permanent damage. An example of a sign which would be appropriate for Bay 1 North would be one which briefly explained when the Davy Press was installed on site, what it replaced and how it was used in locomotive manufacture. This could include an archival photo of the item in use.

• Displays – displays can include a mix of textual, graphic and three dimensional material (e.g. objects) arranged in a way which helps tell a story. This could also be done through the use of models or dioramas or human-‐sized models placed in position around the bays. Displays may need to be located in cases to prevent damage or pilferage.

An example of a display for this area could include text and photos alongside some of the hand tools used in this area. Tools which were large enough to make theft difficult could be arranged to allow them to be touched by



visitors. This type of interpretation is however seen as a bit old fashioned and may have limited appeal.

• Brochures – brochures are a relatively cheap option which provide a more in-‐depth experience than signage and can serve multiple purposes, such as helping visitors to follow a self-‐guided tour of this area or of the site as a whole. An effective use of a brochure in this area would be one which assists the visitor in moving through the space to understand the different activities which were undertaken at the various work stations, as well as the roles that different trades undertook on the site. This can be humanised through the use of personal stories and details. A brochure also serves as a souvenir of the place visited.

• Tours – tours can either be self-‐guided (using a brochure or signage to assist) or guided. A self guided tour is a low-‐intensity option suited for most visitor types, allowing them to move at their own pace, linger or skip along as desired. Guided tours allow for a longer, more in-‐depth experience and provide the visitor with a chance to ask questions and explore the site in greater detail.

These areas are best served for self-‐guided tours however opportunities exist to have guided tours to cater for specific audiences (e.g. a school group), an event (as an add-‐on to a conference) or as a part of a heritage-‐based promotion (during Heritage Week, as part of an open day or at the request of a specific group).

• Graphics – graphics include maps, plans, diagrams or other illustrative material which could be used to explain the wider context of the area, or to set out more abstract concepts. These could be used on their own or in conjunction with other media.

An example of a graphic which would be useful to the interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North is one which shows this area in relation to the rest of the site, or which shows how the work undertaken in this area fit into the overall construction of a locomotive (i.e. which steps in the process where undertaken here)

• Audio/visual – audio/visual material can take the form of audio played for visitors via a sensor-‐activated sound system, at the press of a button or via a self-‐guided audio device. Video material could be displayed on screens mounted in the area and be set to play on a loop or on visitor demand. While there is limited archival audio or video material of this site, a substantial number of oral history recordings have been made of former



workers11 which could be used in interpretation. Similarly, video footage could be prepared to demonstrate some of the work practices now lost to the site. While these media can be highly engaging they may be of limited utility in Bays 1 and 2 North. Noise from the adjacent lease area and the large nature of the spaces mean the acoustics are poor. These materials, while important, might be more effective through off-‐site interpretation, or from multimedia kiosks located in other, quieter areas of the site. These types of media are also high cost and high maintenance.

• Interactive media -‐ Interactive media includes animations and other computer-‐based material which can allow for the presentation of information not otherwise available on the site, or to display aspects of the site which are now missing or obscured. Such media can be displayed through interactive kiosks located within the area but these need to be sufficiently robust to withstand unsupervised use and handling. Interactive media can however be high cost for both the hardware and the software, require regular maintenance and updating to ensure the materials do not become dated.

An example of the sorts of information which could be communicated via interpretive media are the operation of some of the now-‐static machines (e.g. an animation of the Davy Press in operation), the assembly of a locomotive, or the tracking of an item manufactured in Bays 1 and 2 around the site as it moved through the industrial process. This information is very difficult to convey through other means and will be highly appealing to certain audiences, particularly children. This interactivity comes at a cost however.

Interactive media in the Bays 1 and 2 North area will suffer from the same problems regarding noise and acoustics as audio/visual material. Such media may be better suited to off-‐site interpretation (e.g. via a website) or through kiosks located in other areas of the site. Some scope may exist to provide interactive media or audio/visual media via the glass atrium to areas of Innovation Plaza.

• Demonstrations – demonstrations of traditional activities or techniques, or the operation of some of the historic machinery are activities which could be undertaken within these areas. It is, for example, possible to turn over some of the formerly steam driven machinery using compressed air. The appeal of these types of events to visitors are due to their authenticity – it gives an experience of the place above and beyond that achieved through the use of other media. These are however activities which are not likely to be appropriate on a regular basis due to limited demand and potentially high cost.

11 Principally the work of Dr Lucy Taksa of Macquarie University. While many of these histories were collected

and transcribed in the 1990s there has been limited use of the actual recordings fro interpretation.



7.2 Off site interpretive media Off-‐site interpretive media are directed at those people who may be interested in the site, but may have little or no opportunity (or desire) to visit the site in person. These may include people interested in industrial or railway history, architecture, adaptive reuse, or may be people with a personal connection to the site (i.e. a former worker or relative). This could also include researchers and academics with an interest that crosses over with the site.

• Publications -‐ Publications are still a very effective way to reach audiences. Books, and to a lesser extent brochures or pamphlets, can encapsulate a great deal of information regarding the site in an in-‐depth manner. Publications also tend of have a great deal of longevity – even after a book has gone out-‐of-‐print it remains in libraries and public institutions as a ready source of information. The sale of a book also assists in the offset of its production costs, although the payback period can take some time.

Several books have been written about Eveleigh however only one of the appears to still be in print:

• R Butcher (2004) The Great Eveleigh Railway Workshop. Among the options worth considering is the commissioning of a new book about the Eveleigh Workshops, potentially in conjunction with other agencies such as the Office of Rail Heritage, RailCorp and CarriageWorks, to build upon previous works and present overlooked aspects of the site’s history to the public. An alternative could be to provide a bibliography of existing published works(e.g. Butcher 2004) through the ATP website with links to where these works could be purchased.

• Websites -‐ Websites are very popular forms of off-‐site interpretation and are

the best method for reaching a very large audience with relatively little effort. A brief web search has indicated that there are a number of websites with information regarding Eveleigh, for both historical and community reasons, thus it would seem there already exists a potential audience for an enhanced, ATP-‐based Eveleigh heritage website. Establishing such a website would allow for much of the material which has been collected and written on the site to be made available to a broad audience and provides the opportunity to give enhanced virtual tours of the site, provider in-‐depth information on locations, items or past practices at the site and to provide linkages to other sources of information or related sites and materials.

An Eveleigh heritage website could range from a fairly simple affair, consisting of a plan of the site with links describing and illustrating various aspects of the site’s history, to a more elaborate, interactive virtual tour of the interior spaces, with more information on the human aspects of the site’s history, which are at present not well represented in the existing



interpretation. The elaborateness of a web site is primarily constrained by the budget available, although where archival materials were to be used, or work developed by third parties, it would be necessary to obtain relevant permissions. Websites also require relatively regular refreshing, to ensure the content and the look-‐and-‐feel remain current and engaging.

• Podcasts -‐ Podcasts are downloadable audio files which can be played on a

computer or a MP3 player (e.g. an iPod) and made available via a website (for free or on a pay basis). As a great deal of audio material, in the form of oral histories, exists for Eveleigh there is an opportunity to create podcasts which draw on this and other material to present different aspects of the site’s history. The other opportunity a podcast presents is for a self-‐guided tour, perhaps accompanied by a brochure or map (which could also be downloadable).

There are up-‐front production costs involved in this, to ensure the audio is professionally produced and engaging, with good sound quality. Once produced however, the podcasts would require little updating and if a suite of podcasts were developed these could be rotated or made available progressively to hold the audience’s interest. As the audience provides its own hardware this has relatively lower costs than on-‐site audio interpretation.

7.3 Events-‐based interpretation Part of appreciating the history of a place is, where possible, experiencing the place itself through on-‐site events. This allows visitors to be given (generally) short, intense experiences which present the site as a whole or one or more aspects of its history in depth. It is anticipated that tours would only be offered infrequently and would in general be associated with another event. Tours also present opportunities to provide for linkage with other external groups which may have an interest in the site, e.g. rail heritage groups and could tie into demonstrations of former work practices. Tours could be linked to the following events:

• Heritage Festival The Heritage Festival is an annual event coordinated by the National Trust generally in late March or early April. For two weeks, public and private sector groups hold heritage themed events throughout NSW. The National Trust provides a guide and calendar to events but the events are run by the individual organisations. Tours are a popular part of the Heritage Festival. It would be possible to run heritage tours of the site during the Heritage Festival (say 1-‐2 tours initially, to gauge interest) which could be run on a free or pay basis.



• Sydney Open

Sydney Open is an event run by the Historic Houses Trust every 2 years, generally in November. This event is focused on giving the public the opportunity for ‘behind the scenes’ access to places which are generally off-‐limits, including both public and private places. The event is ticketed and prebooked through the Historic Houses Trust. ATP could offer the Locomotive Workshop, particularly Bays 1 and 2 North and the Pump Room as potential tour destinations.

• Add-‐ons to other events

As ATP hosts many events and conferences, opportunity exists to offer event organisers the option of an add-‐on tour to their event for interested delegates. This could be undertaken on a paid basis (for commercial conferences) or on a free basis for events such as school groups. As this would be organised as a part of the event booking it would only be undertaken if there were sufficient interest.

The potential linkage of tours to the events noted above does not necessarily discount the option of the ATP hosting one-‐off heritage events, in conjunction with another body, should the opportunity arise. Events should however be monitored for demand and adjusted accordingly.



8.0 Proposed interpretation This document focuses on the interpretation of Bays 1 and 2 North of the Locomotive Workshop, however many of the recommendations may carry over to interpreting other areas of the place. In the longer term, it is desirable that there be a coordinated approach to interpretation across the site, as well as a consistent look-‐and-‐feel to interpretive media which is linked to the overall site branding.

8.1 Existing resources Some interpretive resources presently exist within Bays 1 and 2 North however they are limited.

• Access Access is limited to visual access via the central corridor. Visitors are kept behind a low fence and most of the heritage items are some distance from the barrier. Visitors are not generally allowed within these spaces at present. The only heritage item of which direct access is provided is the Steam Crane which is presently located within the central corridor (note this is to be conserved and relocated to the Plaza in future). The present fencing is also limited in that it allows leaves and other debris to blow into the heritage areas.

• Display / signage Signage is limited to two interpretive signs located atop the barrier fences. These signs are about 5 years old and were installed at the same time as the other interpretive signs around the site. The signs are small and limited to one black and white photo and a small amount of text. The signs do not provide any linkage to the other heritage items on the site.

• Presentation The presentation of Bays and 2 North is rather jumbled at present, with out-‐of-‐context materials mixed in with in situ heritage items. While visitors can view these areas, the impression received is more of an abandoned industrial space rather than an interpreted space.

The existing interpretation within the Bays 1 & 2 North area is, at present, minimal and essentially self-‐guided. The recommendations later in this document will help create a more immersive, interactive interpretive experience for visitors.

8.2 Interpretive media pallet With the use an installation of interpretive media, it is important that the interpretive media themselves are consistent with that which is interpreted and do not distract from the interpreted spaces/items/elements. The following pallet of materials is recommended for the design of new interpretive media.



• Metal (unpainted/worn paint/rusted)

The dominant material of the heritage items within Bays 1 and 2 North is metal, which includes unpainted and rusted metal, as well as worn paint finishes. There is very little within these areas which appears “new” or unused. Where metal is to be used for interpretive purposes, it should be unpolished and preferably unpainted. Where painted metal is used, it should have a matte finish and be distressed to appear as if it is worn. This should however not be done in a way which misleads or confuses the visitor into thinking the interpretive media is itself a heritage item. Corrugated metal, for example, only appears in these spaces as a roofing element rather than a feature within the working spaces and therefore would not generally be appropriate for interpretive media. Sheet metal (uncorrugated), cast or wrought iron or reused materials such as railway ties would be preferable material choices.

• Masonry The other dominant material within these spaces is masonry, in the form of the brick walls of the workshops. While these have been recently repainted to replace earlier lead-‐based paint, stains embedded within the brickwork itself are beginning to show through and will ultimately give a patina of wear to the walls. The brick which has been used for the buildings generally has an open grain with large inclusions (except for decorative brick elements, which may be in tight-‐grained polychrome brick). Brick could be used for interpretive media but will be most appropriate for outdoor elements. Where it is used, the brick should be coarse-‐grained industrial brick with mortar pointing. Distressed paint finishes could also be sparingly used on interpretive media in brick if required.

• Hard surfaces

With the exception of the dirt floor in Bay 1 North, the spaces and the items within them are exclusively of hard elements and surfaces. This should be continued for interpretive media and soft media such as cloth banners should not be used within these areas.

• Colours

The colour palette for Bays 1 and 2 North is primarily greys, blacks, rust and silver, with bright colours only used for dangerous elements (e.g. switches, moving parts) and for safety signage. This same restrained colour palette should be used for interpretive media, with bright colours such as reds, yellows and oranges used sparingly.



• Neutral materials

Certain materials have a neutral character which, if used appropriately, will not detract from the understanding of the space, while clearly standing out as “different” from what is being interpreted. Glass or Perspex that is clear, frosted, or patterned can be used as a base for signage or reproductions of historic photos, provided this material does not overwhelm what is being interpreted.

8.3 Recommended interpretive works The following works are recommended to enhance the visitor experience in Bays 1 and 2 North. The works are designed to draw visitors into spaces which are presently inaccessible and guide them through the bays in a manner which will help them understand the uses of the spaces and their operation. These works should be cross-‐referenced against the attached plan (see Appendix A).

8.3.1 Barriers The present fences along the central corridor, while relatively sympathetic in terms of being unpainted steel in an industrial style, are neither inviting nor do they provide good physical security or barriers to leaves and rubbish. It is recommended these fences be moved north slightly from their existing locations to provide some additional space along the central corridor and move visitors closer to the heritage items. The fences should be replaced with glass or Perspex panels mounted on brushed stainless steel posts or uprights mounted in the concrete floor, with an overall height of 1350mm. This height is high enough to deter most people from climbing over but low enough to allow unimpeded visual access to these areas. The use of glass allows adhesive decals to be placed on the north side (non-‐visitor side) of the glass which could include text, images and other interpretive visual material. The use of decals (as opposed to etching the glass itself) is recommended to keep costs down and also to allow the interpretive material to be refreshed in future, by removing the old decals and replacing them with new material. Two gates should be provided within the new glass barriers, one at Bay 1 North and one at Bay 2 North, to allow access to the pathway which draws visitors through the spaces. Gates should be able to be closed and locked outside of set visitor hours (say 8AM to 5PM). The opening and closing of the gates would need to be managed by ATP Security or another responsible party.



Figure 11 -‐ Examples of the type of glass barrier recommended for the central corridor. Note the glass barrier should go all the way to the ground to prevent debris from blowing into the heritage areas.

8.3.2 Pathway The flooring of Bay 1 North is dirt and that of Bay 2 North is bitumen, both mixed with historic cast iron chequerplates. There is also a stockpile of cast iron chequerplates which have been salvaged from around the site which are suitable for reuse. Historic photos show a pathway of cast iron chequerplates running to the west of the Davy Press into Bay 1 North and it is proposed to reinstate this path using reclaimed materials. The salvaged cast iron chequerplates are sufficient to reach approximately from the gates proposed above to the Davy Press, after which the pathway should be continued in modern steel chequerplate. This will provide a differentiation between the historic and the modern flooring but in a style that is consistent with the character of the space. Two widths of cast iron chequerplate are approximately 1700mm which is wider than the minimum path width required under the Building Code of Australia. The chequerplate pathway will continue past the Davy Press and other equipment before turning to the west and bringing visitors into the north end of Bay 2. From there, the path will transition into using the existing bitumen and chequerplate floor of the bay and will follow between the rail track which run north-‐south before exiting through a gate in the barrier back to the central corridor. The path would be constrained via a lightweight fence (wire turnbuckles on steel posts, for example) to deter visitors from straying while not impeding visual access. Signage would be installed along the path at key points and several breakout spaces are proposed where people could pause and more in-‐depth interpretive media could be installed. Three small breakout spaces are proposed in Bay 2 North and one large



breakout/gathering/exhibition space is proposed in Bay 1 North, just north of the Davy Press.

Figure 12 -‐ historic photo from the 1950s showing chequerplate pathway adjacent to the Davy Press. Reinstating a pathway in this location is historically consistent and will facilitate visitor access to the area.



Figure 13 -‐ Salvaged historic cast iron plates will be used for the pathway where possible. As there will be insufficient plates for the whole pathway it should be continued in modern steel chequerplate.

Figure 14 -‐ Examples of the type of wire turnbuckle fencing recommended to bound the pathway and gathering space areas.



8.3.3 Gathering / exhibition space (Bay 1 North) North of the Davy Press a large gathering/exhibition space is proposed which would connect to the pathway and be floored in the same modern steel chequerplate flooring. This space would link to the large overhead door which leads to Innovation Plaza, allowing the door to be opened and linking the outdoor and indoor spaces where required. This space would be large enough to use for more intensive interpretive purposes or for cocktail parties or other gatherings. The same type of wire turnbuckle fencing proposed for the pathway would bound the space.

Figure 15 -‐ the proposed 'gathering place' area would be floored in modern steel chequerplate. It could be used for temporary exhibitions or functions and has the advantage of being located adjacent to the lift door onto the Plaza.

8.3.4 Display space At present there is no display space suitable for the display of small or fragile objects, which could be damaged from handling or be easily stolen. Historic photos indicate a demountable sub-‐foreman’s office was located near the central corridor of Bay 1 in the 1950s. It is proposed to relocate the existing timber demountable from its present location at the north end of bay 1 to the central corridor area, for use as a display area for small objects and other interpretive materials. The demountable would be relocated adjacent to a publicly accessible space, refurbished and fitted out with display cabinets and other interpretive material. It would be opened for self-‐guided tour access during business hours (say 8AM to



5PM) and would be kept secure at other times. This would allow visitors to see objects which are otherwise inaccessible but also to have the experience of being in the sub-‐foreman’s office.

Figure 16 -‐ a subforeman's office was located adjacent to the central corridor in the 1950s. This office should be relocated to that position and used as a display area for small items and interpretive media.

On the concrete area outside of the subforeman’s office, it is proposed to relocate several robust heritage items which can withstand handling by visitors, including:

• The crane control cabin (formerly part of the overhead crane in Bay 4) – this will allow visitors to see inside a heritage item which is otherwise inaccessible.

• Height-‐setting tables – these heavy steel tables were used for marking out metalwork for assembly and can serve a dual purpose as display tables.

• A selection of large tools – items which are too heavy to lift but which can

withstand regular touching by visitors. This gives the visitor a tactile experience and (hopefully) removes the temptation to handle other heritage items within Bays 1 & 2. A selection of large spanners, templates or pieces of partially worked metal would be ideal.



Figure 17 -‐ the 2 height setting tables should be relocated into the concrete area outside the barriers, with an array of large, heavy tools placed on them. This will allow visitors a tactile experience but will not endanger any of the smaller heritage items.

Figure 18 -‐ this crane cabin, salvaged from Bay 4, should be relocated into the concrete area to allow visitors to view something which is otherwise inaccessible.



8.3.5 Functional reorganisation Much of the material and equipment in Bays 1 and 2 North is disorganised and is no longer in any sort of functional arrangement. This makes it difficult to understand how these spaces operated and some machines, which did not historically operate in these bays, are mixed in amongst in situ items and machines. Reorganisation of some equipment and materials will assist in the interpretation of the bays. At the Davy Press, steel billets, working tables and billet holders would be rearranged to a functional order. Ideally this should include relocating the overhead crane to near the Davy Press and lowering the winch to demonstrate how the crane was an integral part of the operation of the Press (note it is not clear if that is physically possible at this stage).

Figure 19 -‐ functional reorganisation around the Davy Press will help to illustrate the forging process of the machine, such as shown in this historic photo.

In Bay 2 North, tool racks and small items would be rearranged near the steam hammers and forges into functional relationships while machines which are out-‐of-‐context would be relocated to the north end of Bay 2 and clearly labelled and interpreted as not being in their original positions.



Figure 20 -‐ tool racks would be relocated into functional arrangements near the forges and steam hammers.

Figure 21 -‐ this rack of patterns came from the now-‐demolished Pattern Shop. Their presence in Bay 2 North confuses the function of the area and ideally they should be relocated elsewhere on site.



It is recommended the rack of pattern moulds, which came from the now-‐demolished Pattern Shop, be relocated to the central corridor of Bay 3 and interpreted, replacing the “Potato Soup Machine” sculpture, which has no relationship to the Eveleigh site.

Figure 22 -‐ the "Potato Soup Machine" is a contemporary sculpture which bears no relation to Eveleigh or the ATP. It is recommended this be relocated and the pattern rack be placed in its position in the Bay 3 corridor.

8.3.6 Signage Signage will be critical within these spaces, but should not be overwhelming. Signs will be required to explain key elements strategically along the route of the pathway as well as at the central corridor. In-‐depth signs should be kept in spaces where people can linger – e.g. the central corridor, Bay 1 gathering space and Bay 2 breakout spaces. Signs should be metal and use the palette of materials recommended above. Perhaps 10-‐12 signs would be sufficient to interpret the items in Bays 1 and 2. Recommended signage locations are shown on the Concept Plan.

8.3.7 Multimedia (audio / video) Opportunity exists for the use of audio, video and/or multimedia interpretive materials in these spaces. This is consistent with the “technology park” nature of the site’s present use, as well as engaging for visitors. It also allows the use of materials such as the oral histories or video demonstrations of past work practices. Computer



animated multimedia could also be used to demonstrate aspects of the site’s history, however the operating blacksmith’s shop and general acoustics of the site make audio presentation problematic. These options are also high-‐cost and high maintenance, with a need for regular refreshing to maintain a current and engaging look-‐and-‐feel. Perhaps 2-‐4 multimedia kiosks could be installed within Bays 1 and 2 North, say one in the demountable exhibition space, one each at Bays 1 and 2 on the central corridor and one at the Bay 1 gathering space. It is however recommended overall visitor demand be measured before considering installing multimedia kiosks, as these items can always be added at a later date.

Figure 23 -‐ examples of multimedia kiosks which could be used to display heritage information, audio or video

8.3.8 Self-‐guided tour brochure A simple alternative to a guided tour or podcast tour would be to develop a 1 or 2 page self-‐guided tour brochure, which could be placed near the entrance to the interpretive pathway through Bays 1 and 2 North. Such a brochure would provide information on the contents of these areas and their history and could also direct visitors to other areas of interpreted machinery around the site, such as the Plaza, Bay 10 or the public areas of the Locomotive Workshops. A brochure could be provided on the ATP website as a downloadable item and/or be printed as required. The interpretive works recommended for Bays 1 and 2 North will substantially enhance the visitor experience to these areas and provide a much greater level of heritage experience to both casual visitors and those with some level of interest in industrial or railway heritage. By providing managed access into Bays 1 and 2 North visitors will be given the opportunity to directly experience areas which have generally been off-‐limits and off-‐site interpretive media will broaden the visitor experience beyond the people who can physically attend the site. The establishment of the gathering area in Bay 1 North also creates opportunities for a changing exhibition/display space or as a venue for low-‐key functions.



9.0 Other recommended works Several other ancillary works are recommended for these areas prior to making them open for public access, in accordance with the above plans. While not interpretive works, they are works which are necessary to enhance the area, improve the visitor experience and ensure the conservation and security of the heritage items:

• Security As these areas contain small items which may be attractive for pilferage, it is recommended security cameras be installed at either end of Bays 1 and 2 North to monitor visitor access and safety. This may need to be coupled with alarms to the access gates and/or motion sensors within the non-‐public areas of Bays 1 and 2 North (i.e. outside of the designated pathway).

• Airlock At present, access from the Plaza to Bay 1 is via the large original timber doors in the east wall of Bay 1. These doors are opened in the morning and closed in the evening, but otherwise allow unimpeded access to visitors, but also to wind-‐blown rubbish, birds and other vermin. Bird waste, leaves and other debris are a significant problem within Bays and 2 North.

It is recommended a glass box type airlock be established at this entrance, which leaves the original doors in situ and permanently fixed open, to control the potential for birds, wind-‐borne debris, dirt and other materials entering this area.

Figure 24 – location recommended for the construction of a new airlock



• Improve weather resistance of external doors

Several of the external doors, including the lift door to the Plaza in the east wall of Bay 1 and the two doors in the north walls of Bays 1 and 2 have problems with weather and vermin ingress. At present, these doors are poorly sealed and allow weather, debris and vermin into these areas. As a part of the works undertaken these doors should be overhauled to address the weather and vermin ingress issues, which will help improve both the visitor experience and the conservation of the items within these areas.

Figure 25 -‐ the doors to Bays 1 and 2 North, in the north wall of the building, require some remedial works (e.g. sills) to improve weather resistance, etc.

9.1 Consultation While consultation on the proposals within this document is not formally required, it may be desirable to seek feedback on the proposed concepts from:

• Heritage Branch, Department of Planning • Redfern-‐Waterloo Heritage Working Group • The National Trust Industrial Heritage Committee • Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Committee • ATP tenants



10.0 Approvals The Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops and the Eveleigh Machinery Collection are listed as items of State heritage significance on the State Heritage Register. While the Heritage Council is generally the consent authority for items on the State Heritage Register, the ATP falls within the area of operations of the Redfern-‐Waterloo Authority (RWA). The RWA is generally the consent authority for works which would require development consent. Most of the interpretive works recommended within this document require relatively minor intervention within Bays 1 and 2 North and all works are reversible. These works would not require development consent. Some works, such as the new airlock, pathway, gathering place, interpretive signage and barricades all have relatively minor impacts but as they are introducing new fabric within these areas, exemption should be sought from the Heritage Council for these works once specifications have been developed. Other works such as the reorganisation of items within the machinery collection, development of the interpretive messages, off-‐site interpretive works and minor weather resistance and repair works do not require exemption or development consent. As the new airlock is a structural element, development consent will be required for this item. In this instance, the Redfern-‐Waterloo Authority will be the consent authority rather than the Heritage Council.



11.0 Conclusion The interpretation works recommended for Bays 1 and 2 North will significantly enhance the experience of both casual and heritage enthusiast visitors to the APT site. If coupled with off-‐site interpretation, the site’s history can be presented to a wide audience in a variety of engaging and interesting ways. All interpretation works are fully reversible and will have no permanent impact upon the heritage fabric or collections within these areas, thus it will be possible to refresh and change the interpretive media and messages in future with no adverse impact upon the site’s heritage. The recommended ancillary works will enhance the weather resistance of these areas, which will have flow-‐on benefits in terms of improved visitor experience, better public presentation of the site and improved conservation of the heritage items within Bays 1 and 2 North. As this document is a concept-‐level interpretation plan only, once the general concepts are endorsed, detailed documentation will need to be prepared for interpretive media, signage, the pathway and other physical elements. This should be done using the historic themes, questions and materials palettes recommended within this report.

11.1 Summary of Recommendations and Priorities This table provides a summary of the recommendations and the priorities for interpretation and ancillary works to Bays 1 and 2 North. Priorities are broken into Stages 1, 2 and 3. Stage 1 works are all those works which should be undertaken initially to improve the interpretation and other aspects of the space. From the point of view of cost efficiency, Stage 1 works should all be undertaken as part of the one exercise and the focus is on works which are robust and low maintenance. Where possible, works are designed to serve multiple purposes (e.g. interpretation and conservation). Stage 2 works are works or activities which can be undertaken in the longer term to enhance the interpretation of the place, particularly the off-‐site and events-‐based interpretation. Stage 2 works will leverage off the Stage 1 works to enhance the visitor experience. Stage 2 works are low to moderate cost and can be scaled up or down depending on demand. Stage 3 works are further enhancement works which can be undertaken in the event that sufficient demand exists for additional forms of interpretation. Visitor monitoring should be undertaken over an extended period to determine if sufficient



demand exists for these additional interpretive works. Stage 3 works can be high cost and require recurrent investment to remain interesting and current. Works are identified as Interpretive or Ancillary. Interpretive works are those which specifically enhance the interpretation of the space. Ancillary works are those additional works which improve the function of the space but are not specifically related to its interpretation.



Item Type Justification Works Stage 1 Pathway Interpretive Pathway provides safe, self-‐guided

access into Bays 1 & 2. Reused cast iron flooring, new chequerplate, turnbuckle fencing

Gathering/exhibition space Interpretive Provides a space for additional interpretation, events or other functions, within Bay 1.

New chequerplate flooring & turnbuckle fencing

Display space Interpretive Provides a ‘mini museum’ space for secure display of small objects and other interpretive material

Relocate and refurbish demountable office. Install display material. Relocate height-‐setting tables & crane cabin.

Functional reorganisation Interpretive Assists visitors in understanding how the place was organised when it was in use.

Reorganise and relocate tools, machines, etc. into logical functional relationships.

Signage Interpretive Robust, passive interpretive media which are cost-‐effective and accessible.

Install 6-‐12 signs in key locations around the space, highlighting important themes. May also include visual materials placed on windows or barriers.

Self-‐guided tour brochure Interpretive Provides a more detail guide through the space as well as a souvenir of the visit. Low cost and accessible.

A4 colour brochure distributed on site or downloadable from website.

Barriers Ancillary Provide improved security to the area while giving the space a look consistent with the redeveloped portions of the site.

Glass and steel barriers can serve a security and interpretive function. Existing fencing can be reused in the alternative.



Weather/vermin resistance Ancillary Reduce rubbish, vermin and weather intrusion into interpretive spaces. Reduced cleaning requirements.

Repairs to sills and door seals.

Airlock Ancillary Provides improved weather and vermin resistance.

New glass airlock over existing entrance doors.

Security Ancillary Additional security to protect a more accessible collection.

Cameras and/or sensors in non-‐public areas of space as appropriate.

Stage 2 Podcasts Interpretive Able to reach an off-‐site audience.

Also allows for more in-‐depth “guided” tour of the site. Relatively low cost.

One or more podcasts downloadable from the website.

Additional brochures Interpretive Additional information on specific topics or other areas of the site. Allows for linkage to other interpretive areas o the site (e.g. Bay 10). Low cost.

A4 brochures on site or downloadable from the website.

Website Interpretive Venue for more in-‐depth information about other aspects of the site. Could incorporate archival information which is otherwise relatively inaccessible. Opportunity for collaboration with other agencies.

Section of ATP website dedicated to heritage interpretation or specific Eveleigh heritage website.

Events Interpretive Helps present the site to the public and provide access to spaces not normally accessible.

One or more events during Heritage Festival, History Week, etc.



Stage 3 Demonstrations Interpretive Present aspects of the site’s history

which cannot be effectively presented through other means. Opportunities for partnerships.

Demonstrations tied to an event such as trade skills demonstrations, work re-‐enactments, activating machinery through use of compressed air, etc.

Multimedia Interpretive Provide interactive interpretive experiences. Ties in with the “technology park” function of the site.

Multimedia kiosks may be worth installing in the event there is high demand for in-‐depth interpretation.

Publications Interpretive Provide in depth information and synthesis which can offer a detailed, sophisticated understanding of the site in a manner other media cannot. Also provides an enduring record of the site.

Books, monographs or detailed pamphlets/brochures can be developed for commercial sale and/or as free or downloadable items.

Audio/visual Interpretive Provides an enhanced visitor experience but ahs the potential to conflict with the commercial use of the southern areas of the bays (e.g. noise issues). High cost and high maintenance.

The use of sound, lighting, animatronics or other techniques to enhance the interpretation of the place.



12.0 Bibliography Butcher, R (2004) The Great Eveleigh Railway Workshops. Sydney: R Butcher. Davison, G & C McConville (1991) A Heritage Handbook. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. Futurepast Heritage Consulting (2008) Australian Technology Park S170 Register Overview Report. Hall, C M & S McArthur (1996) Heritage Management in Australia & New Zealand. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Lowenthall, D (1985) The Past is a Foreign Country. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Moore, D (1996) Railways, Relics & Romance: The Eveleigh Railway Workshops. Sydney: Caroline Simpson. Otto Cserhalmi & Partners (2003) Conservation Management Plan for Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops. Pearson, M & S Sullivan (1995) Looking After Heritage Places. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. Preston, R (1997) The Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops Story. Sydney: The Australian Railway Historical Society. Rickard, J & P Spearritt (eds) (1991) Packaging the Past? Public Histories. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. Taksa, L (1996) Eveleigh Oral History Report.

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