WA Engineering Timeline

From Engineering Heritage Western Australia
Year Event Theme
-48,000 Human occupation of Devils Lair Cave, near Margaret River. Buildings
-40,000 Wilgie Mia Ochre Mine in the Weld Range near Cue thought to be the world's longest continuous mining operation. Mining
-20,000 Finger markings in Koolanda Cave on the Nullarbor. Communications
-7,500 Minang Noongar people construct fish traps in Oyster Harbour, bar the mouth of the Kalgan River, east of Albany. Food
1616 Dirk Hartog in the 'Eendracht' land on Dirk Hartog Island. Transport
1618 Visits by Haevick Claeszoon van Hillegom in the 'Zeewolf'. Transport
1619 Naming of the Abrolhos Islands by Houtman in the 'Dordrecht'. Transport
1622 Naming of Cape Leeuwin following the voyage of the 'Leeuwin'. Transport
1622 Wreck of the 'Tryall' (British) north west of the Monte Bello islands. Transport
1627 Journey along the southern coast of WA by Francois Tyssen in the 'Gulden Zeepaerdt'. Transport
1628 G F de Witt lands near Roebourne. Transport
1629 Wreck of the 'Batavia' on the Abrolhos Islands. Transport
1644 Voyage of Abel Tasman charting coast from Arnhem Land to Roebuck Bay. Transport
1656 Wreck of the 'Gilt Dragon' Transport
1658 Samuel Volkerson on the 'Waekende Boey' discovers Rottnest. Transport
1687 Admiral Duquesne Guitton on the 'Lóiseau' sails along the coast near Fremantle. Transport
1688 William Dampier sails into King George Sound. Transport
1696-1697 William De Vlamingh names Rottnest Island and Swan River. Transport
1699 William De Vlamingh anchors in Shark Bay. Transport
1712 Wreck of the 'Zuytdorp' north of the Murchison River. Transport
1727 Wreck of the 'Zeewijk' on the Abrolhos Islands. Transport
1728 Launch of the Sloepie from the wreck of the 'Zeewijk' on the Abrolhos Islands. First ever European ship built in Australia. Transport
1772 Louis Francois Marie Allenoon, commanding the 'Gros Venture', lands on Dirk Hartog Island and claims the land for France. Transport, Leadership
1791 Naming of King George Sound by George Vancouver in the 'Discovery'. Transport
1792 Captain D'Entrecasteaux sails along the southern coast looking for Francois La Perouse. Transport
1801-1802 Thomas Nicholas Baudin's investigation of the West Australian coast. Transport
1801-1802 Matthew Flinders in the 'Investigator' charts the West Australian coast. Transport
1818 Louis De Freycinet in the Uranie explores the Shark Bay area. Transport
1819-1822 Coastal surveys by Phillip Parker King in the 'Mermaid'. Transport
1825 Jules Dumont Durville in the 'Lástrolabe' visits King George Sound on a scientific expedition. Transport, Environment
1826 Edmund Lockyer arrives from NSW at King George Sound (later Albany) and establishes the first settlement in W.A. with troops and convicts. (December 25) Buildings, Leadership
1827 Lockyer claims the western third of New Holland land for the British Crown. (January 21) Leadership
1827 James Stirling aboard the 'HMS Success' surveys the Swan River with a view to settlement. (March) Transport
1828 Syndicate formed in London for colonisation of Swan River. Leadership
1829 Captain Fremantle takes formal possession of the western third of New Holland for the British Crown. (May 2) Leadership
1829 James Stirling officially proclaims the territory of Western Australia. (June 18) Leadership
1829 First buildings constructed on Garden Island. Buildings
1829 Perth is founded. (August 12) Buildings, Leadership
1830 A group of settlers is persuaded by Stirling to establish their community near Cape Leeuwin, thus forming the town of Augusta. Buildings
1831 Round House gaol at Fremantle is completed to a design by Henry Reveley. (January 18) Buildings
1831 William Kernot Shenton constructs a horse powered flour mill in Fremantle. (February) Buildings, Food
1831 Swan River canal cut by John Crane creating Burswood as an island to improve river navigation and monthly boat service established between Fremantle and Guildford. Transport
1831 First newspaper established. Communications
1832 Perth gaol and guard house constructed by Henry Trigg. Buildings
1832 Town of Augusta surveyed by A Hillman and barracks constructed by G Layman and J Cook. Buildings
1833 First flour mill erected at Perth by Henry Reveley operated by waterpower. (January) Buildings, Food
1833 First wind powered flour mill erected at Point Belches by William Kernot Shenton. (August) Buildings, Food
1834 Colony exports its first wool shipment by Henry Rivett Bland from York. Transport
1834 Henry Reveley, Perth's chief civil engineer, prepares designs for Government House. Buildings
1834 Ellen Stirling laid foundation stone of Government House in October 1834. Buildings
1834 Ferries were operating across the Swan River at Fremantle, Preston Point, Mount Eliza and at Guildford. Transport
1835 William Kernot Shenton has the second Point Belches (South Perth) flour mill constructed by millwrights Paul and James Lockyer. Buildings, Food
1835 Commissariat Store completed to a design by Henry Reveley by Henry Trigg and B Maycock. (July) Buildings
1836 First brewery established by Stokes and Watt. (February) Food
1836 The 'Lady Stirling' was built at Fremantle. Transport
1836 Perth Courthouse constructed by Messrs Powell, Thompson and Jecks to a design by H W Reveley. (December) Buildings
1837 Albion Brewery on Spring Street established by James Stokes. Food
1837 The Fremantle Whaling Company began operating and built the tunnel under Arthur's Head. Transport
1837 Road communication was established between Perth and Albany. Transport
1837 First major export cargo from the Swan River Colony on the 'Hero' being 80 tons whale oil, 4.5 tons whalebone, 50 tons timber, 8 tons wool, 1,500 lbs of gum and 2 emus. (November) Transport
1838 Government House completed, after demolition of the first Governor's residence on the same site. Buildings
1839 Public Offices completed on the site of the current Council House to a design by Henry Reveley. Buildings
1841 Bridge at the Perth end of the Causeway completed. (July) Transport
1841 Goal completed at Guildford. Buildings
1841 Western Australian Bank established. Leadership
1841 A weekly mail service began from Guildford to York and Northam and also a monthly service between Perth and Albany. Communications
1842 Perth Town Trust toll jetty completed. (November 9) Transport
1842 Henry Trigg began the foundations of the first lighthouse on Rottnest Island. Transport, Buildings
1843 First causeway opens over the Swan River and a toll is charged. (24th May) Designed by WA's first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, and modified by Superintendent of Works, Henry Trigg. Replaced in 1864. Transport
1845 W. Forrest constructed the Brunswick Bridge. Transport
1845 The first steam ship 'HMS Driver' visited Fremantle. Transport
1845 Military Barracks built by soldiers of the 51st Regiment at Kojonup. Buildings
1845 Public offices and lockup built at Bunbury. Buildings
1847 Board of Works established under the chairmanship of William Knight. (November 11) Leadership
1848 Gregory exploration party discovers lead ore in the bed of the Murchison River near Northampton. Mining
1849 Final pile on first Canning River Bridge driven by contractor Solomon Cook to a design by Henry Trigg. (December 10) Transport
1849 Collie River Bridge at Australind completed. Transport
1849 Geraldine Mine commences extracting lead ore from the bed of the Murchison River. Mining
1849 Copper discovered at the Geraldine Mine. Mining
1850 First convicts arrive aboard the 'Scindian' with Comptroller General, Royal Engineer Captain Edmund Henderson. (June 1) Leadership
1851 First lighthouse near the centre of Rottnest Island (June 1) and another on Arthur’s Head were completed. Transport, Buildings
1851 A coaling depot for mail steamers was established at Albany. Transport
1851 Mechanics Institutes were established in Perth and Fremantle. Engineering Practice
1851 Lt. Wray, RE., arrived with the 20th Company of Royal Engineers. Leadership
1852 First mail steamer, the 'Australian' followed by the 'Chusan' and 'Formosa' began a regular service via Albany from Britain. Transport
1852 Smelting Furnace constructed at the Geraldine Mine near Northampton. Mining
1853 Fremantle Commissariat Store completed to a design by James Manning under the supervision of Lieutenant Wray. Buildings
1853 Mineral exports from Port Gregory commence with 55 tons of pig lead valued at £1,200. Mining, Transport
1854 First postage stamps are introduced. Going against tradition, W.A. issued stamps bearing the image of a black swan and not the reigning monarch. Communications
1854 Perth Boy's School completed to the design of William Ayshford Sanford. (September) Engineering Practice
1854 Lt. Du Cane, RE., supervised construction of the Guildford Bridge. Transport
1855 Fremantle South Bay Jetty completed on the site of Reveley's old stone jetty. Transport
1855 Steamboat the 'Les Trois Amis' began service on the Swan River. Transport
1856 Perth Goal and Courthouse completed to design of Richard Roach Jewell. (September) Buildings
1857 Steamboats 'Pioneer' and 'Lady Stirling' made their first trips on the Swan River. Transport
1857 Construction begins on first Town Jetty at Geraldton. Transport
1858 Lighthouses lit at Point King and on Breaksea Island near Albany. Transport
1859 P&O Steam navigation Company built a jetty at Albany. Transport
1859 Convict Establishment (Fremantle Goal) completed to the design of Edmund Henderson, having taken inmates since 1855 when the Gate House was completed. Buildings
1864 Government House completed to a design by Edmund Henderson, Richard Roach Jewell and James Manning. Buildings
1864 Original Bunbury Jetty built by William Forrest. Transport
1864 Second Causeway Bridge open for traffic in August and officially opened by Governor Hampton on 12 November 1867. Replaced in 1952. Transport
1864 A timber bridge on stone piers (which still stand) was built by John Maley at Greenough. Transport
1865 Fremantle Lunatic Asylum completed to a design by Edmund Henderson. Buildings
1865 First 526 feet of the Busselton Jetty constructed by Harry J Yelverton. Transport
1866 Bridge over the river at Fremantle opens to a design by James Manning and Captain Grain. (Built by convicts) Transport
1866 The Pensioner Barracks first stage completed, designed by Richard Roach Jewell. Buildings
1867 S. Cook finished reconstructing the Perth Causeway to a design by R Jewell. Transport
1867 New bridge over the Helena River at Guildford opened. (November 12) Transport
1867 A steam flour mill was opened at Northam. Buildings, Food
1868 Transportation of convicts from England ends with a total of 9,721 having been transported to the colony. Last ship 'Hougoumont' arrives. (January 10) Leadership
1868 Dongara Jetty completed, constructed by Ben Mason. Transport
1869 First telegraph line opens between Perth and Fremantle, built by Edmund Stirling and Alexander Cumming with technical advice from ex convict James Coates Fleming. (June 21) Communications
1870 John Forrest leads the first expedition to cross Australia from west to east. (March 30 August 27) Transport
1870 Perth Town Hall, designed by Richard Roach Jewell and James Manning opens. (June 1st) Buildings
1870 Albany Post Office completed to a design by James Manning, constructed by George Adams and John Mattison. Buildings
1870 The Vasse lights were lit in Geographe Bay. Transport
1870 Imperial authorities empower Governor in Council to waive the right of the crown to minerals. Mining
1871 First private railway in the state running on wooden rails. It was built by the Western Australian Timber Co and ran from Lockeville near Busselton to Yokonup. Transport, Materials
1871 Alexander Forrest leads an expedition from Perth to the Goldfields and Esperance. Transport, Communications
1871 Districts Road Act is passed and 18 Road Boards are established. (3 more added by the end of the year) Transport
1872 Telegraph connected from Perth to Fremantle, Guildford, Newcastle (Toodyay), Northam, York, Pinjarra, Bunbury and Albany by the Electro Magnetic Telegraph Company. Communications
1872 Mason & Bird opened a private railroad from Jarrahdale to Rockingham. Transport
1872 A copper mine was opened at Whim Creek. Mining
1873 750 feet Fremantle Long Jetty completed, constructed by Mason, Bird and Co. Transport
1873 Streets of Perth were lit with oil lamps. Electricity
1874 The telegraph reached Geraldton. Communications
1875 A cyclone destroyed the pearling fleet in Exmouth Gulf. Environment
1876 The telegraph reached Esperance. Communications
1877 Telegraph connects Perth to Adelaide, Darwin and London with the completion of the line to Eucla. (December 9th) Communications
1878 The first telephones in Perth were connected by a private line. Communications
1878 The lighthouse on Point Moore near Geraldton was lit. Transport
1879 First Government railway in the State constructed from Geraldton to Northampton. (July 6) Transport
1879 First edition of the West Australian newspaper. Communications
1879 Swan Brewery buildings constructed on Mounts Bay Road. Buildings, Food
1881 Railway from Perth to Guildford completed, constructed by John Robb. (February 14) Transport
1881 Trinder Anderson and Company, with offices in London, began operating coastal ships. Transport
1883 Discovery of Coal on the Collie River. Mining
1884 Eastern Railway extension from Guildford to Chidlows Well opened, constructed by J W Wright. (March 11) Transport
1884 The 'SS Natal' began a regular service between Perth and Singapore. Transport
1885 The first payable gold is discovered at Halls Creek. Mining
1885 Contract for 300 foot jetty at Derby let to David Law. Transport
1885 The telegraph reached Cossack in the Pilbara. Communications
1885 Private company opened the Fremantle gasworks. Energy
1885 Railway reached Northam and York. Transport
1885 A sanitation commission was established in Perth. Water
1886 Kimberley goldfield proclaimed. Mining
1886 Jarman Island Lighthouse completed. Transport
1886 West Australian Steam Navigation Company begins a regular service from Perth past the Kimberley to Singapore. Transport
1886 Private company opened the Perth gasworks. Energy
1887 W. J. Hancock installed the first public telephone service in Perth and Fremantle. Communications
1887 Water was reticulated in the West Ward of Fremantle. Water
1887 Gold discovered at Southern Cross. Mining
1887 The Northern Railway from Geraldton reached Walkaway. Transport
1887 Timber jetty constructed at Eucla Transport
1888 Western Australian Land Company built a jetty at Albany and began constructing a railway northward to Beverley. Transport
1888 Yilgarn Goldfield at Southern Cross proclaimed. Mining
1888 Eucla Jetty built by Baillie, Davies and Wishart. Transport
1888 14 bed Albany Hospital completed. Buildings
1888 Pilbara Goldfield proclaimed. Mining
1888 The horse tramway was completed from Roebourne to Cossack. Transport
1888 Tin discovery at Greenbushes. Mining
1888 The telegraph reached Wyndham in the East Kimberley. Communications
1888 Government House lit by electricity. Electricity
1889 Great Southern Railway from Albany to Beverley opens. Transport
1889 Submarine telegraph cable reached Broome from Java. Communications
1890 First shipment of cattle from the Kimberley arrives at Fremantle in June. Transport, Food
1890 Ashburton Goldfield proclaimed. Mining
1890 E. Keane resumes building the Midland Railway northwards from Midland Junction. Transport
1891 Murchison Goldfield proclaimed. Mining
1891 C.Y.O'Connor arrives in Western Australia. Leadership, Transport, Water
1891 Perth receives its first reticulated water supply with the opening of Victoria Reservoir by City of Perth Water Supply Company. (1 October) Water
1891 The WA Electric Light and Power Company illuminated the chambers of the Legislative Assembly. Electricity
1891 Fort Scratchley was opened at Albany. Defence
1892 Construction of Fremantle Harbour begins. Transport
1892 Arthur Bayley and William Ford discover gold at Fly Flat near Coolgardie. Mining
1892 Copper found at Ravensthorpe. Mining
1892 Coolgardie safe invented. Engineering Practice
1892 Princess Royal Fortress in Albany is operational Defence
1893 Paddy Hannan finds gold at Kalgoorlie. Mining
1893 Electricity becomes available in Perth City. Electricity
1893 Decision to create a Department of Mines. Mining
1893 South Western railway completed from Pinjarra to Bunbury. Transport
1894 All major mining centres are connected to Perth by telegraph. Communications
1894 Perth Gas Company generated its first electricity at 110 volts. Electricity
1894 Department of Mines (including Geological Survey) open for business from offices in Perth. Mining
1894 Coolgardie and Dundas Goldfields proclaimed. Mining
1894 Northam to Southern Cross railway completed. Transport
1894 Geraldton to Mullewa railway completed. Transport
1894 Cossack Wharf completed by Nelson and Martinson. Transport
1894 Midland Railway from Midland to Walkaway opens. Transport
1895 Government purchases Great Southern Railway. Transport
1895 Duplicate rail bridge at mouth of Swan River for stone cartage from Rocky Bay to South Mole constructed. Transport
1895 Bucket Dredge 'Fremantle' cuts through bar at the mouth of the Swan River. Transport
1895 Artesian water found at Midland. Water
1895 Construction of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Transport
1895 Karrakatta Camp gazetted, renamed Irwin Training Centre in 1948, and then Irwin Barracks Defence
1896 Government purchases Perth Water Supply and appoints first Metropolitan Water Works Board. (5 October) Water
1896 Southern Cross to Coolgardie railway completed by Wilkie Brothers. Transport
1896 Cape Leeuwin lighthouse completed, constructed by M C Davies to a design by G T Poole. Transport
1896 Babbage Island lighthouse off Carnarvon completed. Transport
1896 Second Rottnest lighthouse completed by Parker and Rhodes. Transport
1896 The Eastern Railway Mahogany Creek deviation, involving the first rail tunnel in the colony, was completed. 'N' Class 4-4-4T locomotives introduced. Transport
1896 Geraldton Jetty extended to 1700 feet by J McDowell. Transport
1896 Napier Bell submitted plans for sewering Perth and Fremantle. Water
1897 S.S. Sultan becomes the first steamer to use the new Fremantle Harbour. (May) Transport
1897 Titles Office building, Perth, completed to a design by G T Poole. Buildings
1897 Coolgardie to Kalgoorlie railway completed. Transport
1897 Mullewa to Cue railway completed. Transport
1897 Government acquired the Great Southern Railway between Beverley and Albany, which increased its length of lines to 1,000 miles. Government Railways began electric interlocking and installing its own electric power plant. Transport
1897 2,810 foot jetty completed at Esperance. Transport
1897 A total of 17 separate goldfields and another four mining districts are established throughout the state. Mining
1897 Niagara Dam was built north east of Kalgoorlie. Water, Mining
1897 Construction of the Alexander Bridge over the Blackwood River Transport
1898 First self propelled motor car imported. Transport
1898 Construction of the Perth Tramway System begins. Transport
1898 Perth Observatory completed. Engineering Practice
1898 City Baths opened 5th March, designed by G. R. Johnson. Buildings
1898 Two triple expansion steam engines began supplying piped water to Fremantle. Water
1898 Work on Goldfields Water Supply commences with a rail spur from Mundaring and a temporary dam on the Helena River. Water
1898 Collie Coalfields Railway completed. Transport, Energy
1898 The Northern Railway reaches Cue and the Eastern Goldfields railway reached Menzies. Transport
1898 The Mines Department establishes its first State Battery. Mining
1898 Herbert Hoover appointed as mine manager at Sons of Gwalia gold mine. Mining
1899 First electric tram operates in Perth. (Hay St.) Transport, Electricity
1899 Water reticulated to Subiaco, Leederville and North Perth. Water
1899 Perth Mint opens. (June 20) Mining
1899 Dr Diehl demonstrated his bromide cyanide process for recovering gold from telluride ore at Kalgoorlie. Mining
1899 G. P. Stevens experimented with radio communications to Rottnest Island. Communications
1899 Kalgoorlie water pipeline begins construction. Water
1899 4,340 foot Carnarvon jetty completed by M Price. Transport
1899 3,200 foot breakwater completed for Bunbury Harbour. Transport
1900 Perth Technical College was opened. Engineering Practice
1900 Royal Mail steamers began calling at Fremantle. Transport
1900 Collie Coalfield produced 116,000 tons of coal. Energy
1900 A submarine telephone cable was laid to Rottnest Island. Communications
1900 860 foot jetty at Onslow completed. Transport
1901 Perth was joined to Cape Town by telegraph cable. Communications
1901 Splatt Wall & Company opened their generating station at Midland. Electricity
1901 C. Palmer recommended bacterial treatment of sewage from Government House. Water
1902 Northam Goomalling railway completed. Transport
1902 Frank Allen appointed first Director of Mining Schools. Mining
1902 Trams began operating between Boulder and Kalgoorlie. Transport, Electricity
1902 A program to drill artesian bores to supply water to Perth was commenced. Water
1902 Mundaring Weir was completed. Water
1903 Goldfields water scheme is opened. Water
1903 Classes commence at School of Mines Kalgoorlie in November. Engineering Practice, Mining
1903 Menzies Leonora railway completed. Transport
1903 Steam trams begin operating at Leonora. Transport
1903 Cue Nannine railway completed. Transport
1903 The two moles at Fremantle and the breakwater at Bunbury are extended. Transport
1903 Point Sampson 2,097 foot jetty completed. Transport
1903 Supreme Court building, Perth, completed. Buildings
1903 Parliament House opened (July). Buildings
1903 Subiaco opened its electric light plant. Electricity
1904 Dunsborough Lighthouse was lit on Cape Naturaliste. Transport
1904 R Anketell began construction of the rabbit proof fences. Environment
1905 First tram operates in Fremantle. Transport, Electricity
1905 Commenced construction of Greenmount Reservoir to supply water to Midland Junction and Guildford. Water reticulated in 1907. Water
1905 Eastern Goldfields Railway extended to Laverton. Transport
1905 Midland rail workshops complex completed and final transfer of staff from Fremantle. Transport, Manufacturing
1906 Second Fremantle Railway Station opened. Transport
1906 Narrogin to Darkan and Goomalling to Dowerin railways completed. Transport
1906 Forts Arthur Head and Forest completed; protected Fremantle in WW1. Defence
1907 Wagin to Dumbleyung, Katanning to Kojonup and Collie to Darkan railways completed. Transport
1907 Leonora operates its first electric tram. Transport, Electricity
1907 With completion of No. 3 rabbit proof fence, 2,027 miles of fences constructed. Environment
1907 Laying of underground telephone circuits begins in Perth. Communications
1908 Port Hedland 766 foot jetty completed. Transport
1908 Trans Australia railway survey led by R J Anketell. Transport
1909 Subiaco oval opened with timber grandstand. Buildings
1909 Narrogin to Wickepin and Coolgardie to Norseman railways completed. Transport
1909 Bedout Island lighthouse completed. Transport
1910 Mount Magnet to Black Range and Nannine to Meekatharra railways completed. Transport
1910 Forty two telephone exchanges operating in the State. Communications
1910 Perth Technical School completed. Engineering Practice
1910 Cape Inscription and Point Cloates lighthouses completed. Transport
1911 First aeroplane flight in Perth. Bristol Boxkite piloted by J.J. Hammond. (January 3rd.) Transport
1911 Bickley Brook Reservoir opened. Water
1911 Tramlines in Perth extended to Leederville and North Perth. Transport
1911 Goomalling to Wongan Hills railway completed. Transport
1911 Cape Leveque lighthouse completed. Transport
1911 University of W.A. begins construction at Irwin St , Perth. University relocates to Crawley in 1925 Engineering Practice
1912 State Steamship Services commences, later to become State Shipping Service. (1919) Transport
1912 Applecross Wireless station opened for shipping and inter continental communications. Communications
1912 Vlaming Head lighthouse completed. Transport
1912 Port Hedland to Marble Bar railway completed. Transport
1912 Government railway imported M Class Garret locomotives. Transport
1912 Septic tanks at Claisebrook and percolating filters at Burswood commissioned for Perth sewerage system. Water
1913 First wireless (radio) station opens in Applecross. Communications
1913 University of W.A. commences operation. Engineering Practice
1913 Commencement of Trans Continental Railway construction from Kalgoorlie. Transport
1913 Perth City Council purchases the Perth Gas Company with its works and generating stations and establishes its Electricity and Gas Department. Electricity, Energy
1913 Sewage pumping stations opened at Mill Street in Perth and Market Street in Fremantle. Water
1913 Artillery Barracks opened - now a significant military heritage building, in Burt Street, Fremantle Defence
1914 First successful Australian made aeroplane flies at Coolgardie. (17 May.) Transport, Manufacturing
1914 State's first automatic telephone exchange opened in Perth. Communications
1914 Crawley Baths opened 7th February by Premier John Scaddan. Buildings
1914 Wongan Hills to Mullewa railway completed. Transport
1916 East Perth Electric Powerhouse opened with a capacity of 12.5 MW. Electricity
1916 Harvey Weir completed and Harvey Irrigation District opened. Water
1917 Trans Australian Railway line from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta opened. Transport
1918 Wyndham Meatworks jetty completed. Transport
1919 Government built meatworks at Wyndham opened. Food, Manufacturing
1919 Government acquired the Perth Tramways. Transport, Leadership
1920 First trans continental flight. Melbourne to Perth. DH4 piloted by F.S. Briggs. (Landed in Perth December 2.) Transport
1921 First airmail service established. (December) Transport
1922 Western Australian Airways becomes the first in Australia to commence scheduled commercial flights. It took passengers between Geraldton and Derby. (Later to become MacRobertson Miller Aviation in 1934.) Transport
1922 Bottle Creek (Narrogin) and Wicherina (Geraldton) Dams completed. Water
1923 Perth General Post Office completed. Buildings
1923 Conversion of street lighting from gas to electricity completed. Electricity
1924 Radio station 6WF conducts first radio broadcasts on 4th June. Communications
1924 Maylands aerodrome opened after the Commonwealth Government acquires the 130 acre site. Transport
1925 Churchman's Brook Pipehead Dam was completed. Water
1926 Fremantle Railway Bridge collapsed in a flood. Transport
1926 Main Roads Board created. (previously Roads and Bridges Branch, PWD) Transport, Leadership
1927 Interstate telegraphy transferred to Trans Australia rail alignment and Eucla telegraph station abandoned. Communications
1927 Voice repeater station installed at Merredin to improve telephony between Perth and Kalgoorlie. Communications
1927 Salmon Gums to Esperance railway completed. Transport
1928 Minderoo Bridge across the Ashburton River (the first in steel and reinforced concrete) completed. Transport
1929 Aero Club of Australia (W.A. Branch) later Royal Aero Club is incorporated. Transport
1929 Western Australian Airways begin regular flights between Perth and Adelaide with DH 66 Hercules airliners. Transport
1930 Premier of Western Australia makes the first telephone call across the Nullarbor. Communications
1931 Harvey Weir raised, Drakesbrook Dam completed and Waroona Irrigation district opened. Water
1931 First reinforced concrete berths opened in Geraldton Harbour. Transport, Materials
1931 Collie power station opened. Electricity
1932 Central buildings at the University of Western Australia completed and St. George's College officially opens. Buildings
1932 Meekatharra to Wiluna railway opened. Transport
1932 Equipment for bulk handling of wheat opened at Fremantle. Food, Transport, Engineering Practice
1932 Start of program for relaying and cement lining of water mains in the Metropolitan Area. Water
1933 Establishment of a trolleybus service from East Perth to Leederville via Wellington and Cambridge Streets, first permanent trolleybus system in Australia. Transport, Electricity
1933 Wellington Dam on the Collie River completed. Water
1933 Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd established. Food, Leadership
1933 Australian Broadcasting Commission completed a relay link between Adelaide and Perth. Communications
1934 A lease was assigned over iron ore deposits at Koolan Island in Yampi Sound off the coast of the Kimberley to the Nippon Mining Company backed by the Japanese government. Mining
1934 Harvey River Diversion constructed between 1930 and 1935. Water
1935 Flying Doctor base opens at Port Hedland. Transport, Communications
1935 Esperance Jetty completed. Transport
1935 First rural automatic telephone exchange opened at Brunswick Junction and trunk telephone services reached Meekatharra. Communications
1935 Fortress Fremantle operational, along with Rottnest Island gun battery Defence
1936 High gold prices encourage investment and Comet Gold mine opened at Marble Bar. Mining
1936 Automatic telephone exchanges opened at Maylands and Victoria Park. Communications
1936 Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Works commissioned and Burswood works closed. Water
1937 Public and government outcry when Nippon Mining proposed not to use Australian labour but to send its own engineers to construct the Koolan Island mine. Mining, Leadership
1937 Government Railway began operating Governor class diesel electric railcars and the Cue to Big Bell railway completed. Transport
1938 East Perth B Power Station with a capacity of 25 MW was completed. Electricity
1938 Piccadilly Theatre with air conditioning was opened in Perth. Buildings
1938 'Westland Express' with connection to the Trans Australian Railway began running between Perth and Kalgoorlie. Transport
1939 King Edward Memorial hospital completed. Buildings
1939 Main Roads Department opened the third and current road traffic bridge at Fremantle. Transport
1939 RAAF Pearce airbase operational Defence
1940 Canning Dam which had commenced in 1933 was completed and opened. Water
1941 Samson Brook Dam completed. Water
1941 Improved roads reached Eucla and Esperance from Norseman. Transport
1941 Meeberrie Station earthquake 7.2 on the Richter Scale. WA's largest measured earthquake. Engineering Practice, Buildings
1942 The 2,000 ton slipway was completed at Fremantle. Transport
1943 Australian Blue Asbestos Ltd commences mining at Wittenoom. Mining
1943 Coastal defensive fortifications constructed in the Perth area and Geraldton. Defence
1943 Artillery road construction, allowing armoured units to move between Perth, Geraldton and inland Defence
1943 Leighton Gun Battery on Buckland Hill was commissioned Defence
1944 Perth Airport developed for military purposes to comprise two 6,000 foot runways. Defence, Transport
1945 Labour shortages as a result of the Second World War caused many mines to cease operation, and following the war, many did not re open. Mining
1945 The State Electricity Commission was established. Electricity, Leadership
1946 TAA began regular services with DC4 aircraft to the eastern states. Transport
1947 Stirling Dam on the Harvey River completed. Water
1947 Main Roads Department began reconstructing the Perth Causeway. Transport
1947 Establishment of charcoal fired pig iron plant at Wundowie. Materials, Manufacturing
1948 State Electricity Commission began Stage 2 of South Fremantle Power Station and took over the Gas and Electricity Department of the City of Perth. Electricity, Leadership
1949 First export of heavy mineral sands for testing. Mining
1949 Western Collieries began mining coal at Collie. Mining, Energy
1950 BHP opened its open cut iron ore mine on Cockatoo Island with first shipment to its Port Kembla steelworks in 1951. (mine closed in 1984) Mining
1950 RAAF Learmonth established (upgraded to 'bare base' in 1971) Defence
1951 Mundaring Weir raised. Water
1951 South Fremantle Power Station began generating at 50 Hz with transmission at 66KV. Electricity
1951 Diesel locomotives began service on the Trans Australian Railway. Transport
1952 Causeway reconstruction completed and opened. Transport
1952 Atomic device exploded at the Monte Bello Islands. Defence, Energy
1953 WAPET discovers oil at Rough Range, near Exmouth Gulf Energy
1953 First Traffic Lights installed in Perth. Transport
1953 Dredging for Kwinana industrial development begins in Cockburn Sound. Transport
1954 First Narrows bridge begins construction. Transport
1954 Construction of BHP blast furnace and steel rolling mill at Kwinana. (opened in 1956) Materials, Manufacturing
1954 South Fremantle Power Station begins burning oil. Electricity
1954 ADG diesel mechanical railcars introduced on Perth suburban services and X Class 2 Do 2 diesel electric locomotives begin mainline service. Transport
1954 Twelve circuit telephone system opened between Perth and Port Augusta. Communications
1955 BP Australia opens its oil refinery at Kwinana. Energy
1955 International airport opened at Guildford. Transport
1955 East Perth Power Station enlarged to 55 MW. Electricity
1956 Commencement of mining of mineral sands, chiefly ilmenite, in the Capel area. Mining
1956 Wellington Dam Hydro Power Station brought online. Water, Electricity
1956 Construction of Wellington to Narrogin pipeline completed. Water
1956 The 132 KV Bunbury to Cannington Line operating at 66 KV (connecting the Metropolitan and South West Power Schemes) brought online. Electricity
1956 Bulk grain terminal opened at Albany. Food, Transport
1956 First LPG produced from feedstock from BP Kwinana by Kleenheat Gas for cooking, heating and gas refrigeration in rural households. Energy
1957 Campbell Barracks established, in Swanbourne Defence
1958 Tram services finish in Perth. Transport
1959 First black and white television broadcast in Perth. Communications
1959 Narrows Bridge and Kwinana Freeway Stage 1 opens to traffic. Transport
1959 Radio telephone circuit completed to Derby. Communications
1959 Muja Open Cut was opened at Collie. Energy, Mining
1960 Raising of Wellington Dam by 50 feet was completed. Water
1960 BHP opened its iron ore mine at Koolyanobbing (closed in 1983) and the Commonwealth Government lifts embargo on export of iron ore. Mining
1960 A Class diesel electric locomotives of 1300 HP were introduced. Transport
1960 Commencement of bauxite mining at Jarrahdale. Mining
1961 Serpentine Dam which had begun in 1957 was completed. Water
1961 Bunbury power station commissioned. Electricity
1961 Muchea Satellite Tracking Station opened. Communications
1962 Perry Lakes Stadium completed for Empire games. Buildings
1962 Passenger terminal at Perth Airport opened and jet flights from Perth to London start. Transport
1962 Perth gets the name 'City of Light' as John Glenn passed over the city in his Mercury spacecraft. Leadership
1962 The Bendix G15 becomes the first functional computer to be installed in W.A. It was second hand and cost 21,000 pounds. It had just 7kb of memory. Engineering Practice
1962 The 66 KV network extended to Albany. Electricity
1963 First load of Jarrahdale bauxite railed to refinery at Kwinana. Mining
1963 Opening of Laporte Titanium Dioxide Plant at Australind. (1 November)(Not fully operational until 5 June 1964) Due to effluent disposal problems associated with the sulphate process, the plant was replaced by a chloride process plant at Kemerton. (opened 11 November 1988) Australind plant closed on 30 October 1990. Mining, Manufacturing
1963 Construction of the Ord River Diversion Dam and the Logue Brook Dam were completed. Water
1963 ALCOA began producing alumina at Kwinana. Materials, Manufacturing
1963 Jandakot Airport opened and Maylands closed. Transport
1964 NASA tracking station at Carnarvon completed. Communications
1964 Oil discovered on Barrow island. Energy
1966 US Navy builds a communications station at North West Cape. Defence
1966 Decimal currency is introduced on (February 14th.) Leadership
1966 Discovery of high grade nickel ore at Kambalda. Mining
1966 Commencement of iron ore production from Mt Tom Price to Dampier. Mining
1966 Asbestos mining at Wittenoom discontinued. Mining
1966 Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) located at Bentley, completed. Engineering Practice
1966 TV transmitted by satellite from England to Carnarvon. (Wimbledon and test cricket) Communications
1966 Muja A&B power station brought online. Electricity
1966 Construction of Waroona Dam completed. Water
1966 Construction of deep water jetty at Broome completed. Transport
1967 Oil production begins on Barrow Island. Energy
1967 Shark Bay Salt commenced export from Useless Loop. Manufacturing
1967 Kambalda Nickel mine commenced production. Mining
1967 First iron ore railed from Mt Goldsworthy and shipped from Port Hedland. Mining
1967 Construction of standard gauge rail from Fremantle to Kalgoorlie completed. Transport
1968 Meckering earthquake 6.9 on the Richter Scale. Most damaging in WA. (14 October) Buildings, Engineering Practice
1968 BHP opened its blast furnace at Kwinana. Materials, Manufacturing
1968 Pelletising plant at Dampier was opened. Mining, Manufacturing
1968 BP commissioned its ammonia nitric acid plant and CSBP began making fertiliser. Manufacturing, Food
1968 Four tube coaxial cable completed from Perth to Carnarvon. Communications
1969 Closing of Australia's last remaining trolleybus lines to Wembley and Floreat. (29 August) Transport
1969 Standard earth station for INTELSAT was established at Carnarvon. Communications
1969 Control of the WA School of Mines transferred from the Department of Mines to the Western Australian Institute of Technology. Mining, Leadership, Engineering Practice
1969 Sealing of the Eyre Highway from Norseman to Eucla completed. Transport
1969 Discovery of Nickel at Mt Windarra. Mining
1969 Leslie Salt commenced export from Port Hedland. Manufacturing
1970 Standard gauge railway finally goes all the way to Sydney. Transport
1970 Discovery of the Eneabba mineral sands deposits. Mining
1970 East West microwave radio link connected Western Australia to the National Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) system. Communications
1970 Kwinana power station brought online. Electricity
1970 Dedari Pumping Station, the last of the G&AWS steam plants, was converted to diesel operation. Water
1970 Murdoch University opens. Engineering Practice
1970 Federal Metric Conversion Act passed for Australia to transition to metric units. Engineering Practice
1970 Lake Mcleod salt commenced export from Cape Cuvier, gypsum export added in 1997. Manufacturing
1971 Discovery of the Agnew nickel deposit. Mining
1971 Discovery of the Telfer gold deposit. Mining
1971 Discovery of the Yeelirrie uranium deposit. Mining, Energy
1971 The Prospector travelling at up to 120 km/hr began operating between Perth and Kalgoorlie and the last steam locomotive was retired from service. Transport
1971 Lower Helena Diversion Dam, pump station and pipeline to Mundaring Weir completed. Water
1971 WANG Parmelia gas pipeline from Dongara to Pinjarra commissioned. Energy
1971 The North Rankin and Goodwyn natural gas fields on the North West Shelf offshore from Dampier were discovered. Energy
1972 Lake Argyle was formed by the completion of the Ord River Dam. Water
1972 Discovery of Golden Grove copper zinc deposit. Mining
1972 Dampier Salt commenced export from Dampier. Manufacturing
1972 Ralph Sarich 'invents' the Orbital Engine. Engineering Practice
1972 Narrows Interchange / Mitchell Freeway Stage 1 opened. Transport
1972 Construction of the alumina refinery at Pinjarra completed. Manufacturing, Mining
1973 Construction of South Dandalup Dam completed. Water
1973 A gas turbine of 20MW began operating at Geraldton and the 132KV line between Perth and Geraldton was energised. Electricity
1973 The causeway to Garden Island was completed. Defence
1974 Stirling Bridge at Fremantle opened. Transport
1974 ALCOA opened its alumina refinery at Pinjarra. Manufacturing, Mining
1974 Mineral sands mining began near Eneabba. Mining
1974 Speed signs and road distances converted to metric. All new vehicles have metric odometers and speedometers. Transport, Engineering Practice
1975 First colour television broadcast. Communications
1975 Westrail was established with 7,800 km of track and 200 diesel locomotives. Transport
1975 The 330 KV line between Kwinana and the Northern Terminal was energised. Electricity
1975 Bunbury Inner Harbour was officially opened. Transport
1976 Completion of major bulk grain export port facilities at Geraldton (1937), Fremantle (1942), Albany (1956), Esperance (1962) and Kwinana (1976). Food, Transport
1976 WA Chip and Pulp commenced operation in Manjimup and the export of wood chips from Bunbury Inner Harbour. Materials, Transport
1976 Sealing of the Eyre Highway in South Australia completed. Transport
1976 Discovery of Teutonic Bore copper zinc deposit. Mining
1976 Allendale Square completed, becoming WA's tallest building. On its opening, the building was the largest fully aluminium clad freestanding tower in Australia, and one of the largest in the world. Buildings
1978 Kwinana Power Station began burning coal and micro wave links were completed to all Power Stations. Electricity
1978 HMAS Stirling commissioned Defence
1979 Perth to Fremantle railway line is CLOSED! Transport
1979 Last train ran to Meekatharra, the Donnelly River Timber Mill closed and the last whale was taken at Albany. Transport, Materials, Environment
1979 Cadoux earthquake 6.1 on the Richter Scale. Second most damaging in WA. Buildings, Engineering Practice
1979 Discovery of the AK1 diamond pipe in the Kimberley, the Granny Smith gold deposit and the Scuddles copper zinc deposit. Mining
1979 Construction of Wungong Dam completed. Water
1979 Telecom commissioned its first digital telephone system using 30 circuit pulse code modulation. Communications
1980 Gold discovered at Boddington. Mining
1980 An LPG gas plant at Albany and wind generators of 50 & 22KW on Rottnest Island were commissioned. Energy, Electricity, Environment
1980 High pressure sodium lights were introduced. Electricity
1981 The bitumenised road surface reached Broome. Transport
1981 Diamond mining began in the Kimberley. Mining
1981 Woodside opened module construction sites at Henderson (then called Jervoise Bay) and Geraldton Harbour. Construction of Woodside's offshore pipeline from North Rankin to Withnell Bay near Karratha, and the onshore facilities for natural gas processing, also began. Energy
1982 Mount Henry Bridge across the Canning River was opened. Transport
1983 Ben Lexcen designed Australia II wins the America's Cup. Engineering Practice
1983 Railway from Perth to Fremantle re opened. Transport
1984 Dampier to Perth gas pipeline competed. North West Shelf commenced gas sales to SECWA. (16 August) Energy
1984 ALCOA opened its Wagerup alumina refinery with bauxite ore from the Willowdale mine located East of Waroona. Manufacturing, Mining
1985 Dampier to Perth gas pipeline extended to Bunbury. Energy
1985 Opening of Technology Park in Bentley. (July) Engineering Practice
1985 Discovery of the Kintyre uranium deposit. Mining, Energy
1985 Argyle Diamonds commences AK1 production. Mining
1986 Perth International Terminal building opens. Transport, Buildings
1986 The last shipment of iron ore left Cockatoo island. Mining
1986 Final national microwave link completed from Kununurra to Katherine. Communications
1987 West Australian Institute of Technology became Curtin University. Engineering Practice
1987 AMC commissioned its synthetic rutile plant at Narngulu, a suburb of Geraldton, using the Becher process to treat ore mined at Eneabba. Manufacturing, Mining
1987 First wind farm in Australia opened at Salmon Beach near Esperance. Electricity, Environment
1988 RAAF Curtin, Derby, operational as a 'bare base' Defence
1989 First shipment of LNG to Japan. (August) Energy
1989 Commissioning of quartzite mine at Moora and Silicon Smelter at Kemerton by Barrack Mines Ltd, now Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd. (December) Manufacturing, mining
1989 Discovery of gold at Plutonic Bore. Mining
1989 Notre Dame University opened at Fremantle. Buildings
1989 Edith Cowan University, combining several tertiary educational facilities, opens, with new campus at Joondalup. Buildings
1992 Joondalup railway line is opened becoming the first new metropolitan line opened in over 100 years. Transport
1996 Goldfields gas pipeline completed, Yaraloola to Kalgoorlie, later extended to Esperance. Energy
1997 Beenyup Mineral Sands mine in Scott River area opened by BHP. Mine closed in April 1999 due to clay recycling in dredging ponds, and sand abrasiveness, limiting plant capacity. Mine site rehabilitated. Mining, Manufacturing
1999 Collie power station brought online. Electricity
2002 Albany Plantation Export Company (APEC) commences wood chip exports from Albany. Materials, Transport
2005 Commissioning of HIsmelt Process Plant at Kwinana, with a capacity of 820,000 tonnes of pig iron per annum, by a consortium led by Rio Tinto. Closed in 2011, refer The West Australian Manufacturing
2006 The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant, located in Kwinana, started operating in November 2006 and produces 45 billion litres of fresh drinking water a year. Water
2007 Mandurah Railway opens (December). Transport
2021 Carnarvon Jetty severely damaged by Cyclone Seroja on 12 April. Transport

The first version of this Timeline titled 'A Preliminary List of Dates of Significant Engineering Works in Western Australia' was prepared by D. A. Cumming in September 1993. Mr. Cumming acknowledged assistance from 'Date It!' and 'More Dates', both published by Friends of the Battye Library (Inc).

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