Baron Falls hydro-electric power station - Kuranda - QLD - Australia
Posted by: CADS11
S 16° 50.209 E 145° 38.637
55K E 355522 N 8138001
hydro-electric power station built in the early 1930s
Waymark Code: WM11TEQ
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 12/16/2019
Views: 1
The two concrete dams above Barron Falls were part of an earlier, smaller hydro-electric power station built in the early 1930s.
The old power station was located on the opposite side of the river, below the falls. Its construction was a huge undertaking as it was subject to major flooding, and was as built during the Depression. This power station supplied power to Cairns and surrounds for almost three decades.
During construction a worker's camp was set up across the river and a trestle bridge was errected for access and transfer of flood supplies. Up to 105 men on the project at on time. It was a formidable task; workers faced numerous rock falls as they carved their way into the mountains to accommodate the power station.
In 1963, the power station was relocated downstream to its present site near the base of the gorge and is now called the Barron Gorge Hydro. The old station is no longer accessible.
Age/Event Date: 1930, 1963
Type of Historic Marker: Plaque only
Type of Historic Marker if other: Not listed
Related Website: Not listed
Historic Resources.: Not listed
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