Evandale to Launceston Water Supply Scheme - Historic Engineering Marker #63 Evandale, Tasmania, Australia
By Team MavEtJu on 31-Oct-15. Waypoint GA7741

Cache Details

Difficulty:
Terrain:
Type: Virtual
Container: Virtual
Coordinates: S41° 34.121' E147° 14.607' (WGS 84)
  55G 520297E 5398081N (UTM)
Elevation: 170 m
Local Government Area: Northern Midlands

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Description

Evandale to Launceston Water Supply Scheme - Historic Engineering Marker #63

The search for a clean water supply source for the rapidly expanding Launceston settlement in the early 1800s gave rise to multiple suggestions, some of which were started but none were completed. The formation of councils for Launceston and Hobart in 1853 gave the residents the power to act. The choice of a gravity supply from a source some 14 kilometres from the town was a substantial commitment for the people. The engineering work was not unique, but it was a practical use of the available skills. The significance of the scheme was that it enabled the citizens of Launceston to enjoy high quality water at a reasonable price due to the benefits of gravity, to enable population growth and to install a sewerage system commencing 1860. While work has been done to enhance the tunnel and replace the race (to increase the flow), the headworks are basically the same today as they were in 1857.

The system operated in the same way until the construction of a water treatment plant in 1925, where the raw water was taken from Distillery Creek some 2 kilometres further upstream and delivered to the treatment plant via an open flume.

Contents of the plaque:

 

Launceston Water Supply, 1857

In 1857 the fledgling municipal council gave Launceston its first reticulated supply by diverting water from the St Patricks River. Still in operation, this gravity scheme consisted of a diversion weir, water race and tunnel delivering water into Distillery Creek whence it was piped to the High Street and Hill Street reservoirs. Reticulation served the town centre, surrounding suburbs and the Prince’s Square fountain which was erected to celebrate the opening. Public drinking fountains, volunteer fire brigades and a sewerage system quickly followed.

The Institution of Engineers Australia, Launceston City Council and Esk Water 2007

 

According to the notes at https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/shado/Divisions/Tasmania%20Division/Engineering%20Heritage%20Tas/EvandaleLauncestonWaterSupplySchemePlaque_Jan07.pdf , the site is inspectable.

When logging this virtual, please add a photo of yourself or your GPSr at the plaque.

For more information, please see the nomination PDF at the Heritage Register at the Engineers Australia website: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/heritage/evandale-launceston-water-supply-scheme-1836

Logs

05-Jan-21
icybeetas
I knew about this proposed water supply system. I also knew that evidence of it could be found in a private yard but I have never known where to look for it. I have now found it. Very Happy
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
01-Feb-20
AlbyDangles
Hello Team MavEtJu thank you for the cache.

Today EeePees and I were on our way to Launceston to pick up some furniture and on the way we stopped off to find some caches.

I was unsure about this one but managed to get a photo through the fence.

Found on Saturday, 1 February 2020 at 1040
 
01-Feb-20
EeePees
Hi MavEtJu, many thanks for the historic engineering marker cache, found with my great mate AlbyDangles.

Today we were heading north under the pretence of collecting a piece of furniture; but of course we were geocaching, and may I say, a great day out with fantastic company.

Looked private, so took a pic from outside the gate.

Cheers
EPs.
 
30-Jun-19
DaryVafder
There was a big padlock on the gate so couldn’t go in also looked like a private residence but took the pic anyway, also one of the beautiful water tower
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
30-Jun-19
mattefalcon
Found. #TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
22-Jun-19
Hilberts
didn't want to enter gate so photo taken outside, beautiful gardens
 
29-Apr-19
EuDes
This was the last find for this Tassie trip. Sad We weren't actually sure if we were allowed to be here or not but an on line check showed that it seemed to be OK so at 15:10 I took the obligatory pickie while the others were amazed by the construction. Very Happy

Many thanks Team MavEtJu.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
22-Feb-19
cinmi16
Gate was shut and didn't want to intrude...appears to be a private residence...
 
07-Nov-18
Goldenwattle
I was not sure about entering the garden here, as the gate was closed and there were workmen. So I took the photograph through the gate. Pretty flowers. TFTC Team MavEtJu.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
14-Oct-18
MAC-001
I thought that I knew where this one was but could not find the marker, so I checked out some previous logs AND the co-ordinates and got to the right place but I didn't want to intrude, so I could only take a photo from the gate, hope that is OK.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
27-Apr-18
Ryan00
Last find of the day. Used my phone today so didn't have my GPS but in the photo is a lil water gun swap. TFTC
 
11-Jan-18
Budgietas
Visited site while in Launceston fir work.

Tftc

 
04-Jan-18
DaFiChNi Team
Impressive gardens and hedges here. In fact gardener was onsite during our visit. Requisite photo attached. Thanks Team MavEtJu.
 
15-Sep-17
sirius Tas
Quick photo...tftc..cheers ST.
 
19-Apr-17
ausandaus2
Like previous cachers we also entered what seems to be private property (what a fabulous garden) and took the required photo. Thanks for another one of these very interesting caches.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
23-Mar-17
LuckyL10n
#GA1384 - 13:55; Landed in Launceston and with some time to kill before we picked up another passenger from the airport, headed to Evandale with the geohoney for lunch and a visit to a local leather shop. Grabbed a Tasmanian scallop pie from the bakery for lunch, then off for a wander to collect some of the local caches, including this one. The GPSr had me near GZ a lot sooner than I thought it would have, but spotted the plaque from the gate, so headed in to read about the scheme and grab some snaps. TFTC Team MavEtJu Very HappyClan Cerberus
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
30-Dec-16
Tassie Trekkers
Out about for the Clan Minotaur Summer Scavenger Series 2016 Clan Minotaur and snapped this one for a required challenge.

Located in A beautifully manicured garden which we quickly ducked in & out of.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
29-Nov-16
Tardis
Having logged the brother to this one (Launceston Water Supply #92) we just had to make the pair as we drove through Evandale. As with others, we made an erroneous assumption over where the plaque should have been placed but soon saw how wrong we were. Snapped a piccie from outside the gate as things looked rather too neat & secure for our entry. Nice garden though. Thanks for another in the series MavEtJu.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
23-Nov-16
polfil
Found it Very Happy
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
18-Apr-16
jodie.rose
Well this is pretty cool although it is a bit daunting first off, is this a private residence??
 
13-Apr-16
beetles2
First for the day as we left our free overnight camping spot at evandale and headed back in to Launceston. At first we thought that we had punched the wrong coordinates in and continued along to the old water tower. But after checking realised we had it right and returned to what appeared to be a private house and garden. No sign of anyone around so we snuck in through the gate and got the required photo. Thanks.
 
20-Feb-16
OldSaint
Hi Mav
Found this one quickly on the way back down South after attending a 90th birthday party in Launceston earlier in the afternoon
Sainted at 1715hrs
TFTC and cheers
OldSaint.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
19-Feb-16
dankpig
That's an impressive piece of engineering and I'm sure the convict help would have gained a huge sense of personal achievement??.. thanks..!!
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
14-Feb-16
Rocket2015
Heading home after an evening of caching. Stopped here on the way past, love these old structures that are still standing from years gone by.
TFTC
Cheers
Rocket
 
04-Feb-16
Whitepaws9
On the way to Devonport.... detour to Evandale..
Interesting history here.
Thanks for bring me here and virtual cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
26-Jan-16
whitewebbs
visited a very pretty garden, hopefully it was open to the public. located marker quickly. TFTV
 
19-Dec-15
stainless-steel-rat
After coming up North to attend an event myself and Goose of GooseandEgg were doing our level best to get home but stopping every couple of miles is slowing us down somewhat Laughing

We parked up and after a bit of confusion we found the marker in the end but didnt feel right going into a garden to take the picture so snapped it from the path along with some of the water tower.
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
19-Dec-15
gooseandegg
It was quite late in the evening when SSR and I pulled up near here. We actually stopped a bit short assuming we would be looking at the nearby water tower. After wandering down the main street we realized we were getting further away so doubled back and SSR spotted the plaques through the gate. At this late hour we were not going to try and enter the premises so took our pictures through the gate. Also snapped a photo of Santa up the water tower. I am really enjoying this series. TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
 
28-Nov-15
sharnie's tribe
Found on a visit to the area to see family members. Glad we'd read the info carefully before our visit or we wouldn't have wanted to go through the gate
 
18-Nov-15
ChrisWhite62
Out and about doing caches today with my trusty driver as I still can't drive or walk unaided. He took a much better picture than I would have of this plaque but we could not get too close as it was on private property. It was impossible to get us in the photo as well
 
01-Nov-15
Grumbligrot
Was not comfortable in entering what appeared to be someone's private garden. The description doesn't appear to state that it is agreed with garden owner. Do have a photo through the gate just have to download and upload.
 
31-Oct-15
2y'stassies
We recently checked out this Historic Engineering marker in anticipation of its publication. When we visited we called at the residence for permission to access their property but no-one was at home. The required photos were taken and a composite image of three photos has been added to the Gallery. Thanks Team MavEtJu for this cache and for the very interesting and informative series.
 
31-Oct-15
Team MavEtJu
Published!