Heritage Places
Heritage Place Details
| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
65 Whispering Wall Road WILLIAMSTOWN |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Development Plan |
Barossa Council |
| Polygon Type |
B - Building footprint |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Whispering Wall, Barossa Reservoir |
| Registered Name |
Whispering Wall, Barossa Reservoir |
| Significance |
The Barossa Reservoir wall is a significant structure in the history of engineering in South Australia. Completed in 1902, the concrete arch dam was the first of its type in the State and among the first of the true thin wall arch dams to be built in the world. The reservoir wall was built using innovative construction techniques and was the highest dam in Australia at the time of its completion.
An unusual acoustic phenomenon is created by the location and curve of the downstream wall of the dam which has resulted in it being called the 'Whispering Wall'. Due to the curvature of the dam wall a person speaking quietly on one abutment can be clearly heard by a person on the opposite abutment. |
| Subject Index |
Utilities - Reservoir |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
08-JUL-1999 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Barossa |
| State Heritage ID |
16929 |
| Heritage Number |
17037 |
|
|
|
| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
e - it demonstrates a high degree of creative, aesthetic or technical accomplishment or is an outstanding representative of particular construction techniques or design characteristics
f - it has strong cultural or spiritual associations for the community or a group within it
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CT 5822/378 H105200 S1 |
Disclaimer
While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.
In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.
GIS files
To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.