THE BENDIGO TRUST EDUCATION SERVICESTHE STORY OF GAS IN...

THE BENDIGO TRUST EDUCATION SERVICES
THE STORY OF GAS IN BENDIGO



In January 1855, an engineer, Mr. Joseph Doody, had his own gas making plant in Bendigo and was using it for lighting. Less than three weeks later, gas generated from mutton fat was being used to light the Black Swan Hotel. Gas and its availability for the public was being actively discussed in Bendigo at this time.

In early July 1859, The Bendigo Advertiser reported that a meeting of shareholders of the Bendigo Gas Company was held. At this meeting shareholder heard that a provisional committee had been set up some six months earlier. Shares had been sold and a site was being sought for the construction of the works. Capital of the Company was £30,000 ($60,000) and directors were elected. The shape of the land which was finally granted to the Company was considered by consulting engineer A.K. Smith to be a restricting factor for the design of the plant.

The gas works site was down stream along the side of the Bendigo Creek in a sparsely populated area called Irish Town. Pipe laying was commenced whilst site preparations were on the way and equipment ordered. In late November 1859 it was reported that three massive pieces of foundry work were hauled to Bendigo.

A 30 metre high octagonal chimney for the new gas works was completed on 3 March 1860. In the same month horses had hauled imported coal to Bendigo. On the night of 1 April 1860, the newspaper office of the "Mercury" was lit with gas. Word soon spread and a crowd gathered to marvel at this new wonder for Bendigo. Gas was used for lighting businesses and selected sections of Bendigo streets. Demand for gas supply increased to such an extent, that additional retorts for the works were being considered by May 1861. Eaglehawk was connected to the gas supply in 1867 and in July the large Catherine Reef United crushing battery was lit with gas. In 1870 Bendigo had 102 gas-lit street lights.

The Bendigo Advertiser described the gas works in 1875 as having two retort houses, which indicates that the company had expanded its production. A new purifier shed was constructed, holding four square purifiers. Initially there were only 6km of gas mains which then increased to 40km. Coke, a by product of gas manufacture, was being sold on the Melbourne market as there was little local demand at that time. Eaglehawk had 120 consumers and that Council was actively seeking information on establishing its own gas works from August 1877 onwards.

New large-diameter gas mains were being laid in early 1890 from the Company works, and healthy dividends were being paid to shareholders. A few years later the finances of the Company were not so cosy, as the colony of Victoria was in the grip of a depression and consumption of gas fell off. Gradually economic conditions were to improve in the years ahead and in 1913 the Company purchased a building in Bendigo's main thoroughfare, Pall Mall. This building gave shop front exposure for showrooms, offices and workshops. The competition for lighting had been won by electricity; now the Gas Company had to sell its energy for other purposes.

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