Contact: Lauren Jones on (02) 8238 3585 or 0417 296 673
Media Release
3 December 2009
PRESERVING SYDNEY’S LINKS WITH THE PAST
A preliminary archaeological dig will be conducted outside Central Station to determine
if foundations or remnants of historical sites that have links to Sydney’s convict past
still exist.
Mr Rodd Staples, Acting Chief Executive of Sydney Metro said three test trenches will
be excavated at
the park between Central’s historic sandstone buildings on the
western edge of the station and Pitt Street.
“The dig will allow archaeologists to determine if any foundations or artefacts are
present, and to plan any further assessment works prior to any major construction
activity taking place.
“The park area lies above where Sydney Metro’s proposed station at Central will be
built.
“The area around the western forecourt of what is now Central Station was in the early
1800’s at the extremity of development of Sydney, and lay close to a toll bar that
marked the start of a dirt road to Parramatta,” Mr Stapes said.
The park in this western forecourt area is believed to form part of the location of a
number of significant Macquarie Period structures, including:
The Benevolent Asylum (circa 1820 –
1901). This convict built two storey brick
structure was built in 1820 as an asylum for 100 infirm, aged, blind and poor
people in an era when there was no form of Government assistance for such
people, and charities provided the only form of relief for the “deserving poor”. It
faced Pitt Street near the intersection of George Street and was demolished in
1901 to make way for the present Central Station.
The Government Cottage (circa 1820 – 1902) was built on lands that formed part
of the Carters Barracks area. Carters Barracks was built in 1819 to house 200
male convicts who worked in the brick fields (Belmore Park) and 100 convict boys
who worked in the timber yards. Carters Barracks also housed the Government
stables where the bullocks and horses required for government work in Sydney
were kept. During its early existence, the area housed a tread mill –
a then
“modern” method of grinding flour and used as a more “benign” convict punishment
to replace the lash. By the 1830’s the Government Cottage on the site was the
official residence of the Superintendent of the Ironed Gangs –
providing this role
between 1836 and 1849.
It then became the official residence of the
Superintendent / Inspector General of Police from 1849 to 1902, being first
occupied by Edward Day from 1849 to 1850.
Contact: Lauren Jones on (02) 8238 3585 or 0417 296 673
Media Release
Christ Church Parsonage (circa 1855 -1903). Designed by Edmund Blacket was a
two storey building of four bedrooms and was originally occupied by the Reverend
William Horatio Walsh. The house continued to serve as a parsonage until about
1903. In its later years it was used as a works office for the adjacent railway works.
Mr Staples said the three buildings were demolished down to ground level in the early
1900’s to allow the construction of Central Station.
“It is not known if the foundations were also demolished at this time, or remain intact,”
Mr Staples said.
“The test excavations will determine if any remnants are left, and if so, a preservation
plan will be developed.
“Following the test works, the area will be reinstated to its previous condition.
“Sydney Metro will continue to work closely with RailCorp to ensure the preliminary
test works on the Western Forecourt of Central Station are conducted with care.”
Work at Central Station follows the release by Sydney Metro of nine heritage principles
to guide heritage management during planning and construction.
NEWS 
