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33°50′53″N 151°07′24″E / 33.848190°N 151.123197°E Quarantine Reserve is a public access park located on the southern side of the Parramatta River at Abbotsford, 10 kilometres west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The site is grassy with numerous trees and a sheltered barbeque area affording views across the park and down to the Parramatta River. Until 1980 the site was used as Sydney's animal quarantine station; the facility's buildings are still standing and are in fairly good condition. These include the stables, piggery and dog house. The site's incinerator and associated chimney is also reasonably intact. The facility originally had a wharf but this is no longer present.
Walkers on the Parramatta River Walk (Gladesville Bridge to Ryde Bridge Circuit) transit the park along a concrete path joining Checkley St to Abbotsford Parade. Entry via Spring St (south entry) provides access to the carpark.
History
editThe sloping 2.38 hectare site was acquired by the Commonwealth Government in 1916 for future use as Sydney's animal quarantine station, and officially gazetted as such four years later. The site was originally part of the Hexham Estate with a large house and extensive grounds that swept down to adjacent Hen and Chicken Bay.
The animal quarantine station provided accommodation for imported cattle, horses, pigs and dogs.
During World War II, the station was closed due to restrictions on livestock importation and the site was used as a military store. After the war ended the quarantine station resumed its original function, much to the dismay of local residents who strongly opposed its reopening. A campaign was started to move the quarantine station out of the area because of its offensive odours, noise from animals, smoke and pollution from the incinerator. However, it was many years before the objections of residents prevailed and the station was moved to Wallgrove in 1980. In September 1980 residents rallied at the Sydney Rowing Club calling for the return of the site to the public as a park when it became knowledge that the NSW housing commission had shown some interest in the location.[1]
In 1981 the site was transferred from Commonwealth ownership to the State Government. Drummoyne Council then landscaped the area for public parkland and it is now known as Quarantine Reserve.[2]
City of Canada Bay now is the local authority that maintains the site.
Reserve features
editCouncil lists the following facilities[3]
- Undercover picnic tables, seats and electric barbecues.
- Parking
- Tap water
- Power
- Accessible toilets
References
edit- ^ Quarantine Station Site wanted as public park, The Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 15, 1980.
- ^ Pictorial History City of Canada Bay, by Gregory Blaxell. 144 pages, black & white.
- ^ Fact Sheet, Quarantine Reserve.
See Also
editNorth Head Quarantine Station at Manly