White Bay is a significant item of industrial heritage associated with the evolving pattern of power generation in NSW and Australia. It is characteristic of coal fired power stations from the early twentieth century which serviced the expansion of Australia’s major cities. None of these stations remain intact today. It predates the formation of the Electricity Commission (and Pacific Power), dating back to a time when localised and vested interest in the power industry hampered expansion of industry and commerce and, public access to a commodity (electricity) which we now take for granted. As the last remaining metropolitan power station from this era, the site must be considered rare. Given the substantial changes in industrial relations which have occurred in Australia and particularly NSW over the last 70 years, White Bay Power Station is also evidence of social and industrial practices no longer in use today.
© State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage.