Historical information

The Bendigo Gas Works are one of around three remaining intact 19th century gas works in the world, and the only one in Australia. It is on the Victorian Heritage Register and regarded by Institution of Engineers Australia as an internationally significant example of an entire provincial gasworks
The Bendigo Gasworks operated from 1860 until 1973 when natural gas was introduced and remain as they were at the time of closure; a treasure of industrial heritage frozen in time.
It is an internationally significant example of an entire provincial gasworks. It has the only horizontal gas-producing retorts in Australia.

Coal Gas was manufactured here from 1860 and operated continuously until the introduction of natural gas in 1973. The works were operated by the Bendigo Gas Company until purchased by the Gas and Fuel Corporation in 1958 at which time they were supplying 3,500 consumers. During the Second World War the works were expanded by the Ministry of Munitions to serve the Bendigo Ordinance Factory.

The original works were constructed during 1859-1860 under the direction of engineer Alexander Kennedy Smith (1824 - 1881) and developed in a period of growth by W. A. Simco, General Manager 1922-1939. ( Engineering Heritage Australia: ttps://heritage.engineersaustralia.org.au/wiki/Place:Bendigo_Gas_Works)

The site is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0781

Physical description

Two 'Bendigo Advertiser' articles.
1. 'Gasworks reveal treasures' 8th June, 2018. Article discusses the artefacts left behind at the Gasworks 'when they finished producing gas in the 1970's they basically just locked it up'
2. 'Historical treasure awaits full potential', July 30th 2014, double page spread with photos of the gasworks. Bendigo Trust moved to protect the gasworks when it closed.