Pambula Town Well (former)

Former Pambula Town Well:

Virtually from the time humans began inhabiting the area now known as Pambula, the river would have played a vital role as a reliable water source. Even after European settlement came to the area and people began constructing private wells on their own properties, the river retained importance to the community for its dependable supply of fresh water.

However, with the dry conditions of the late 1890s, the population began looking at alternatives. During an 1897 meeting of the Pambula Progress Association, the motion of Messrs Neilson and Behl “That application be made for a town well for the use of the inhabitants” was carried unanimously.

Little seems to have been achieved however, and by the summer of 1900 the situation had become increasingly serious when this almost permanent water source stopped flowing. After the sometimes deadly outbreaks of typhoid and diphtheria were connected with the stagnant polluted pools in the river, the Progress Association renewed their lobbying, requesting in May that “…that a well be sunk in the vicinity of this township…” In September local member, the Honourable W. H. Wood M. P., advised that “…the Minister has approved of the application being granted, and the well will be sunk in Merimbola Street, and fitted with a pump and trough, provided that the Progress Association will agree to take charge of it upon completion.”

When there had been no action, the media commented in

Pambula town well (indicated by arrow), C. 1971.

November that “Some considerable time ago the Works Department sanctioned the supply of a town well, for the use of the inhabitants, on the Pambula Flat. The people are now wondering if the Department intends carrying out the work, as up to the present nothing has been done.” This seemed to have had an encouraging effect, however, because just weeks later, Mr. Bathgate, Road Superintendent in Bega, called for tenders “…for the sinking of a town well at Pambula.”

In December, it was announced that Bega contractor Mr. W. Manning’s quote of £32 had been accepted and in January 1901 he began sinking the well. However, although it was noted that he had “…made good progress with work…”, he reached the required 25-foot depth without finding water, after which work was suspended pending instructions from Road Superintendent Mr. Bathgate, the Public Works officer in charge of the scheme.

The project was almost abandoned as a “…duffer…”, but after it was decided to continue sinking a few feet further, “…excellent water was struck…”. In fact, so successful was the venture that the water “…flowed in so freely that great difficulty was experienced in keeping it down while the well was bricked.” Completion of Pambula’s town well was reported in February, when it was noted that it “…contains an excellent supply of good water. A rotary pump is provided with a hose attached (for water-carts), and a tap…” Although it was highlighted at that time that the supply was intended for domestic purposes only, there was the opportunity for the addition of a watering trough at a later date if the supply proved adequate. The eventual cost of the project was £39.

Pambula Town Well, 2006.

Despite its importance, however, it was reported in 1903 that “…children are in the habit of congregating at the Pambula town well and meddling with the pumping gear, while it is also alleged that they even try to pollute the water.” As so many local residents relied on the resource for their domestic water supplies, it was pointed out that “…the services of the police may have to be requisitioned...it would be a shame to have the pump rendered useless or water contaminated at a time when it is proving such a boon to the town.”

When the problems did not cease, five Pambula residents, John Henry Martin, John Newton Small, George Carl Behl, Frederick Plowright and Phillip James Robinson, were appointed to take charge of the facility, including accepting all legal responsibility for the service. They entered a bond of £39, obligating them to indemnify the State against any claim of damages; to undertake maintenance on the facility; and to cover any associated costs.

In 1906 Imlay Shire Council was established and in May 1907 took over responsibility for the town well. In August the same year, a problem with pollution caused by seepage was corrected through extensive concreting work and in 1909, the community petitioned for a new pump on the well.

Ongoing drought conditions throughout the early 1900s saw a number of local farmers forced to obtain their domestic water supplies from the town well and then, in February 1912, it was reported that “The Pambula River has become polluted to such an extent through the decomposed bodies of poisoned rabbits, that some of the Lochiel residents are seriously thinking of carting water from the town well, a distance of fully three miles, to their domiciles.” Later the same year, it was lamented “Rain, rain, is the cry here. Our town well is also nearly useless, on account of the pump going crook.” Following a request from Mr. J. N. Small, the Imlay Shire engineer was instructed in February 1913 to procure a replacement and in 1914, the well’s value was once again highlighted when a local newspaper noted that “Rain is wanted on all sides, and if it does not fall very shortly, the outlook will be very serious. The local water cart is now in evidence carting for the various business houses.”

Job Koerber was appointed caretaker of the well in June 1910, and the ensuing years saw various changes to pumps, pipes, and other equipment. After water reticulation was implemented in 1954, the community no longer required the town well and fell into disrepair.

In 1994, the Merimbula Imlay Historical Society, Pambula Area Progress and Planning Association, Pambula Traders, and members of the Pambula community worked collaboratively to restore the well and its equipment, complete with interpretive signage, as an important historic site.

The brick lined public well is surrounded by a timber post and rail fence with standpipe, pump and trough for stock use. It is a valuable reminder of the facilities and amenities available to the townspeople from the early- to the mid-20th centuries. As the main public domestic water source for many years, the well is an important example of the utilities available during the period. It is associated with the historical development of the township and provides important tangible information regarding the changing ways in which resources such as water

Pambula Town Well, 2015.

have been supplied to the local community. In this way, it also provides an important comparative tool and link between the Pambula River as the population’s main water source before construction the town well, and the water reticulation service in use since 1954. The surviving fabric documents the changing needs of the community and the ways in which water supply has altered over the years. It is an important survivor of early organised public town water supply and management in the district whilst the existing fabric is a record of early- to mid-20th century water supply design and construction. The Pambula Town Well retains its importance to the community today as a significant local historic site.

Approximate location of site.

References and bibliography:

Bega Budget
Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal
Daily Telegraph
Eden Magnet
Evening News
George, Angela, Pambula District’s Built Heritage – A History, unpublished study, 2006
Lismore Northern Star
Pambula Voice
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus
Southern Record and Advertiser
Sydney Morning Herald
Twofold Bay Magnet