Waddamana Power Stations

Conservation Management Plan

Waddamana A and Waddamana B Power Stations were part of the Great Lakes hydro-electric scheme in mid . The Great Lakes Power Scheme was a private venture by the Hydro Electric Power and Metallurgical Company, commenced in 1908, which had got into financial difficulties in 1914. Waddamana A became the first power station operated by the organisation that became the Hydro Electric Commission when the project was taken over by the Tasmanian government in 1914.

The entrance to Waddamana A Pelton Wheel No 1 Turbine and Generator set

Waddamana A was the main source of hydro power from its opening in 1916 until Shannon and Tarraleah power stations came on line from the mid-1930s. Apart from providing domestic power the availability of cheap and reliable electricity allowed the development of the Electrolytic Zinc plant at Risdon which provided an important industrial base for Tasmania.

The construction of Waddamana B was first proposed in 1929 to double the capacity of Waddamana but was deferred until the late 1930s when as part of the push for more power for industrial development. Construction occurred during World War II and the immediate post-war period.

Waddamana A was closed in 1965 but was reused as a Museum from 1988 (a visit is recommended). Waddamana B was kept in service until 1995 when it was closed. Both sites contain well preserved examples of the technology of hydro-electric power generation. As well there is a large collection of archival documents and movable cultural material items.

In 2006, as part of Hydro-Tasmania’s Cultural Heritage program, A Conservation Management Plan for Waddamana A and Waddamana B power stations has been prepared by Dr Iain Stuart of JCIS Consultants and Godden Mackay Logan for .