The Tank Stream - Sydney

When Arthur Phillip First Saw What Is Now Circular Quay & The Freshwater Estaury That Ran Into The Quay, He Must’ve Sighed One Of The Biggest Sighs OfRelief, After Being Let Down With What He’d Been Told About Botany Bay, & That The Land Was Fertile. 
Arthur Phillip was left with no choice once the first fleet arrived in botany Bay, he was left with no choice but to get in a smaller boat & search the heads & that’s for being presented to them and Port Jackson which had been marked on Captain Cook‘s map from 1774
 



The Watercourse Named The Tank Stream Was An Important Source Of Fresh Water For Aboriginal People Before European Settlement. As The 19th Century Progressed & The Population Of Sydney Grew, The Tank Stream  Was First Polluted & Then Channeled & Diverted Underground Into A Series Of  Drains & Pipes.
Fifty Four Worked Stone Artefcts Were Discovered In 1996 During Excavations For The Construction Of The City Recital Hall At Angel Place Which Was Built Above A Section Of The Tank Stream.
This Discovery Shows That The Aboriginal People

The Tank Stream is an underground watercourse located in the central business district of Sydney, Australia. It holds historical significance as one of the earliest sources of freshwater for the European settlers who established the colony. Here's an overview of the history of the Tank Stream:

Aboriginal Use: Before European settlement, the Tank Stream was known to the local Aboriginal people, specifically the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. They used the stream as a source of freshwater and likely guided early European explorers to its location.

European Settlement: When the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, they faced challenges in finding a reliable freshwater source. The Tank Stream was discovered and identified as a potential water supply due to its relatively consistent flow.

Water Supply for the Colony: The Tank Stream played a critical role in providing freshwater to the early colony. Settlers built simple wooden tanks and channels to collect and distribute water from the stream to meet their needs. The tanks gave the stream its name.

Growing Population and Pollution: As the colony grew, the demand for water increased. However, the increasing population also led to pollution of the watercourse. Human waste, industrial runoff, and other pollutants contaminated the stream, making the water less suitable for consumption.

Decline and Superseding: Over time, the Tank Stream's water quality deteriorated further, and it became inadequate to meet the needs of Sydney's growing population. The stream's role as a primary water source gradually diminished.

Urban Development: The growth of Sydney's urban landscape led to the stream being covered and built over to make way for streets, buildings, and infrastructure. The stream was progressively enclosed in underground culverts.

Rediscovery and Heritage Recognition: Despite being hidden beneath the city's surface, the historical significance of the Tank Stream was not forgotten. In the late 20th century, efforts were made to recognize and preserve the heritage of the Tank Stream. Signage, plaques, and historical markers were installed to remind Sydneysiders and visitors of the stream's importance.

Today: While the Tank Stream's water no longer flows as it once did, it remains an important historical symbol of Sydney's early days. The stream's legacy is preserved through heritage initiatives, education, and the acknowledgment of its contribution to the development of the city.

Visitors to Sydney can learn about the history of the Tank Stream through interpretive displays, plaques, and historical walks that highlight its significance in the context of the city's growth and evolution.

Tank Stream Way - Laneways - Sydney - New South Wales

Tank Stream Way - Laneways - Sydney - NSW

Tank Stream Way Was Once Part Of Hamilton Street Which ran From Bridge And Hunter Streets, Named After Hamilton's Biscuit Factory. Most Of It Disappeared Underneath The Australia Square Development, Leaving Two Remnant Laneways, And This Section Was Renamed In 1981. In Bridge Lane, Once The Site Of The Towns first Lumber Yards, Look For The Old Warehouse Doorway, Now The Entrance To The Establishment Hotel. As Late As The 1860's  There Was Still Vacant Land Sliced Between The Cottages In This Area, But By The End Of The 19th Century It Had Become A Favoured Location for Warehouses, Including Several Tea Merchants Stores. 

Abercrombie Lane - Laneways - Sydney - New South Wales

Abercrombie Lane - Laneways - Sydney - NSW

On The Corner Of Abercrombie Lane Is The George Patterson Building, Refurbished As An Upmarket Bar After A Fire That Gutted The Building In 1996. This Building Retains Many Original Features, Including Some Atmospheric Fire Damaged Walls. Walking Down Abercrombie Lane It Is Easy To Imagine That You Are Heading For The Tank Stream. 


"The Spot Chosen For The Settlement Was At The Head Of A Cove, Near The Run Of Fresh Water Which Stole Silently Along Through A Very Nice Thick Wood, The Stillness Of Which Had Then, For The First Time Since Creation, Been Interupted.."

- David Collins - Account Of An English Colony Of New South Wales 1802


When The Water Supply Became Inadequate, Convucts Were Set To Work Digging Holding Tanks Into The Watercourse, And So It Became Known As The Tank Stream. Today The Stream Runs Silently Through A City Drain Below The Pavements. 

Dalley Street - Queen's Place - Charlotte Place - Laneways - Sydney - New South Wales

Dalley Street - Laneways - Sydney - NSW

What's In A Name? Dalley Street, Named After Politician Victor Dalley, Was Once Called Queen's Place. And It's Continuation Across George Street Was Called Charlotte Place, (Now Grosvenor Street). Queen Charlotte Was George III Queen. Queen's Court (Dalley Street) Was Part Of A Warren Of Tiny Lanes & Courtyards That Grew Up Alongside The Banks Of The Tank Stream between The "Official" George & Pitt Streets. 

Australia Square - 264 George Street - Sydney

Australia Square - 264 George Street - Sydney 

Built - 1961 - 1967

Architect - Harry Seidler - Harry Seidler & Associates




Australia Square Broke New Architectural Ground When It Was Completed In 1967. At 50 Storeys High, It Was Both Sydney's Tallest Building (Until 1976) And The World Tallest Reinforced Concrete Structure, Yet It Occupies Less Than A Quarter Of The Sote, Which Is Shared With A Low Rise Retail Plaza Building.



Australia Square Was Not Only A Building Of International Standing, But A Global Collaboration As Well. Seidler Delivered His Round Tower With The Help Of World Renowned Engineer Pier Luigi Nervi. The Towers Circular Form And Street Setback Helped To Avoid What Seidler Called The "Dark Canyon Effect" Of Conventional Rectangular Towers. Its External Vertical Supports Left Large, Column Free Office Floor Plates. The Dramatic Transparent Lobby Was Designed As A Grand Circualr Promenade, With Glass Walls Open To The Street And Soaring Ceilings On Which Nervi's Interlocking Concrete Ribs Were Exposed.


The Lobby Displayed Artworks By Le Corbusier And Victor Vasarely To The Street; These Tapestries Were Replaced In 2003 (For Fear Of Fading) With A Mural By New York Artist Sol LeWitt. For The Plaza - An "Open But Contained Space" Based On the Medievil City - Seidler Commissioned A Sculpture By Alexander Calder, Crossed Blades.

You Know Its A Very Funny Thing...... 

Well It’s Quite Sad Really... 

But The Beautiful Tank Stream That Once Maintained Life Here When Our Ancestors First Landed On Our Shores

 recess sydneysiders would have no idea about how the Tank Stream made it's way through to Hyde Park from Circular Quay and it wouldn't really be able to get the dimensions of it because 5200 feet of Circular Quay with reclaimed land.

I can remember when the Waterline came to crack the start of Crown Street and you could actually row your boat and more your boat at the start of Crown Street and I have the ability in my memory so that was 150 years ago

Tank Stream Bridge And Head Of Sydney Cove

Bridge Street, Northern Side, Between George And Pitt Steeets

In October 1788, A Timber Bridge Was Built To Span The Tank Stream, Which Was Then The Head Of Sydney Cove. 

When Governor Phillip Inspected Port Jackson In January 1788 He Was Unduced To Start Settlement There Because Of A Rivulet At The Head Of Sydney Cove Where WiLd Celery, Paraley and Aponach Flourished - Healthy Vegetablesn For Scurvy Patients. A Swampy Spring, one Mile Away In Today's Hyde Park, Was The Birthplace Of This Rivulet, Which Fell One Hundred Feet As It Wandered Eastward Over Sandstone Rocks To King Street. Thence Nourished By Two Springs, One At King Street And Another At Spring Street, It Glowed To Bridge Street, The Head Of The  Estuary. 

To Save The Lifestream, Governor Phillip InMarch 1788 Wisely Decreed That "The Run Of Water Which Supplies The SettlementQas Observed To Be Only. A Drain Grom The Swamp. To Protect It From The Sun, The Governor Forbids The Cutting DownOf Any Tree Within Fifty Feet Of The Run, then Which There Has Not Been A Finer Found In Any One Kf The Coves In The Harbour. 

In October 1788 A Timber bridge was built to span the tank stream at this spot, which was then The Head Of Sydney Cove. in 1803 -1804 the structure was replaced by Stonebridge. 

When Governor Philip inspected Port Jackson in January 1788 he was induced to start a settlement there because Of A Rivulet At The Head Of Sydney Cove Where Wild celery parsley & spinach flourished - healthy vegetables for scurvy patients. A Swampy Spring 1 mile away, in the centre of Today's Hyde Park, Was The Birthplace Of This a Rivulet,which fell 100 feet as it wandered Eastward Over sandstone Rocks To King Street.  Then nourished by two springs, one at  King Street and another at Spring Street It Flowed to Bridge Street The Head Of The tidal estuary.

To save the live stream, Governor Philip in March 1788 wisely decreed that 

"the run of water which supplies the settlement was observed to be only a drain from the swamp. To protect it from the sun, the governor forbids the cutting down of any tree within 50 feet of the run, than which there has not been a finer found in any one of the coves of the harbour."

in February 1791 surveyor Alt deepened the stream Near Bridge Street and in April 1792 the governor had ditches dug flanking the rivulet. A paling fence was erected to keep out stock and cherish the shrubs growing on its Bank.

The Rivulet was christened the tank stream in May 1792 after his Excellency had convicts Hew a tank from sandstone which held 8000 gallons of water.

Bridge Street where the 10th stream turned into the tidal waters Of Sydney Cove became the main link between East and West Sydney Collins in October 1788 stated that again Of convicts were employed enrolling timber together to form a bridge over the stream at the head of the Cove soon footbridge spans the rushing mortars followed later By Of E he Curcular Bridge alas and overloaded Bullock wagon broke through the decking and put the breach out of action

The Government Wharf - Circular Quay

Government Wharf - Circular Quay 

Alfred Street - Circular Quay, Near Loftus Street

In 1788, When The First Fleet Anchored In Port Kackson, The Head Of Sydney Cove Was V Shaped, Bisected By The Tank Stream, Which Entered The South Side Of The Cove Where Present Day Pitt Street Is. Surveyor James Meehan's Plan Of Sydney Showed Today's Alfred Street Covered With Water at HighTide. It Was Here That The Government Wharf Was Built On The Water Frontage Now Occupied By The Paragon Hotel. 

Tank Stream Bridge & Head Of Sydney Cove -

Tank Stream Bridge & Head Of Sydney Cove -

 Bridge Street, northern Side, Between George & Pitts Streets

Bridge Street, Where The Tank Stream Debouched into Tidal Waters Of Sydney Cove Became The Main Link between East And West Sydney.

This Rivulet Was Christened the "Tank Stream" in May 1792, After Governor Phillip Had A Tank From Sandstone Made Which held 8000 Gallons Of Water.











Links
http://www.sydneyarchitecture.com/GON/GON023.htm 

Tank Stream - Macquarie Street To Circular Quay 

In October 1788, a timber bridge was built to span the Tank stream At Is Spot, which was On The Head Of Sydney Cove. In 1803 1804 the structure was replaced by Stonebridge

When GovernorPhilip inspected Port Jackson in January 1788 he was induced to start a settlement there because of the rivulets at The Head Of Sydney Cove  Where Wild celery parsley and spinach flourished healthy vegetables for scurvy patients. A swampy spring, 1 mile away, in the centre of today's Hyde Park, was  the birthplace of this rivulet which fell 100 feet As it wandered Eastward over sandstone Rocks To King Street, And Another 1 At Kings St another at Spring Street, it flowed to Bridge Street, the head of the tidal estuary

To save the life stream, Governor Philip in March 1788 wisely decreed that the run of water which supplies the settlement was observed to be only a drain from the swamp. To protect it from the sun, the governor forbids the cutting down of any tree within 50 feet of the run, then which there has not been a fine are found in any one of the coves of the harbour.

February 1791 surveyor Alt deepened the stream near Bridge Street, and in April 1792 the governor had ditches dug flanking The Rivulet. A Paling fence was erected to keep out stock andcherish the shrubs growing on its banks. The rivulet was christened the tank stream in May 1792 after his Excellency had convicts hew a tank from sandstone which has Held 8000 gallons of water. Bridge St where the tank stream debouched into the tidal waters of Sydney Code, became the main link between the Eastern the west Sydney. Collins in October 1788 Stated that a gang Of convicts were employed in rolling timber together to form a bridge over the stream at the head of the Cove. Soon footbridge spanned the