Broken Hill - Knowledge

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power-generating facility was proposed by F. J. Mars, consulting electrical engineer with the Central Mine. The proposed powerhouse would provide electricity and compressed air. The mines agreed and formed Western New South Wales Electric Power Pty Ltd to construct and operate the plant. The Sulzer diesel-powered plant was completed in 1931. This was one of the earliest examples of the use of diesel power generation in Australia. The plant was enlarged in 1950 to cope with increased demand from the North Mine. At the same time, a new power station run by the Southern Power Corporation (owned by

2572: 939: 612: 781: 736: 1359: 931: 2619: 1256: 5494: 3637: 744: 353: 341: 1174: 949: 2677:, Joyce Condon, Hugh Schultz, and John Gregory. John Gregory was the society's president for its first 15 years. The society organised the 2nd Open-air Art Exhibition in Sturt Park, Broken Hill, on November 19, 1961. May Harding wrote a long review of this exhibition, analysing the entries of many of the society's artists. In mid-1962, six members of the society (White, Harding, Cumpston, Hart, Byrne and Gregory) exhibited landscapes in a travelling exhibition 2531:

the closure and consolidation of mining operations. The estimated urban population of Broken Hill in 2021 was 17,588. The impact on Broken Hill's economy of the shrinking mining industry and the more efficient mining rates resulted in a higher proportion of part-time employment, higher employment participation rate by females, a general reduction in overall household incomes, and an increase in the average age of the populace as the young leave seeking work.

161: 831:. Mining at the BHP mines at Broken Hill ceased 28 February 1939. BHP was not the only mining operation at Broken Hill though, and mining continued at the southern and northern ends of the Line of Lode. In the early 20th century, Broken Hill was a centre of mining innovation resulting in a viable froth flotation process. Currently the southern and northern operations are run by Perilya Limited, who plan to open further mines along the Line of Lode. 3583: 2523: 1315: 1162:. The historic machinery was all removed and presumably scrapped and the giant pits that the motors were housed in were filled with concrete to convert the buildings into a warehouse type layout. The Broken Hill City Council has received considerable funding and spent a large amount of money and resources on establishing a film studio in the buildings but as at late 2014 these buildings remain largely empty and unused as the production of 2975: 884: 2740: 671: 2549: 2515: 1079: 42: 903:, a group of 18 trade unions, which became one of the most influential organisations in the politics of the city. Like many "outback" towns, Broken Hill was built on precious metals, having once had the world's richest deposits of lead, zinc and silver. Although now depleted somewhat, mining still yields around two million tonnes annually. Some mine tours are available. 6104: 4767: 4722: 4677: 4632: 4587: 4542: 4497: 4452: 4407: 4362: 4317: 4272: 4227: 184: 2605:

Owing to its exposure to the vagaries of the mining industry, and because of a swiftly shrinking population, similar to other rural centres, and compounded by its isolation, Broken Hill has encouraged its widespread artistic credentials and is promoting itself as a tourism destination to become less

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In 1933, Broken Hill was the third largest urban incorporated area in New South Wales, having a population of 26,925. Broken Hill's population peaked at around 30,000 in the early 1960s and has shrunk by one third since the heyday of the 1970s zinc boom, with the decrease attributed to migration from

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across much of the Murray Darling Basin Catchment area, the Darling River ceased to flow and the Menindee Lakes dried out. Broken Hill essentially ran out of water, with a muddy sludge coming out of some taps around Christmas time in 2004. The high salt content of the water led to a lot of damage to

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Lead contamination continues to be one of the most serious health concerns, particularly in children in Broken Hill. All infants are required to receive blood tests to examine lead levels. Streets located next to the major mine, including Gaffney, Eyre, and Slag Streets have the unenviable award of

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In the early 1990s an extensive government funded Lead Education program was established and people with children under 5 were able to have free lead testing of their children, homes and gardens to assess lead contamination levels. Any property that had considerably high lead levels in ceiling dust

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Broken Hill and the surrounding area has many natural and man-made attractions on offer for the tourist. These include mining operations (some open to the public), a visitor's centre and lookout on top of the original Line of Lode mine, historic buildings, town history walking trails, many resident

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86.0% of residents are born in Australia; significantly higher than the national average of 66.9%. The most common other countries of birth are Philippines (1.1%), England (0.8%), and New Zealand (0.4%). The most common reported ancestries in Broken Hill are Australian (43.2%), English (37.8%) and

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matches, local and national news and current affairs programs, some lifestyle and light entertainment shows and infomercials. This is because Broken Hill, unlike the rest of New South Wales, is on Central Time. ABC channels are relayed from Sydney, so all programming is a half-hour earlier than

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A HVDC back-to-back station with a maximum transmission rate of 40 megawatts was built at Broken Hill in 1986, to draw from the National Grid. It consists of 2 static inverters working with a voltage of 8.33 kV. After this station was operational, the two other power stations closed and the

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By the 1920s most of the nine mines on the Line of Lode had their own steam-powered electrical generators to power the surface and underground workings. As Broken Hill is in a desert with little water and virtually no fuel, steam generation was an expensive option. In 1927 a plan for a central

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Before the 1940s, mining was done by hand tools with high labour usage rates and included horse and mule-drawn carts underground. The advent of diesel powered mining equipment in the late 1940s and the move toward mechanised underground mining has resulted in less labour used per tonne of ore

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In the 19th and early 20th century Broken Hill was home to a community of Afghans. Afghans worked as camel drivers in parts of outback Australia, and they made a significant contribution to economic growth when transport options were limited. The camel drivers formed the first sizeable Muslim

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are a common problem in the desert, but in the late 1930s the people of Broken Hill, led by Mr Keast of the Zinc Corporation mine, created green reserves to surround the town thus protecting it from the worst of the storms. Dewpoints in the summer average between 4.6 and 7.8 °C (40.3 and

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on the Murray River. There are four pumping stations along the route and a 720-megalitre (25-million-cubic-foot; 190-million-US-gallon) bulk water storage facility 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Broken Hill. The pipeline can supply up to 37.4 megalitres (1.3 million cubic feet;

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was completed by a private company. The cost of water was high but not excessive and people were willing to pay because the environment was arid. Another reservoir was built at Umberumberka, however variable rainfall meant supplemental supplies by rail and rationing was still needed.

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service was introduced in 1996; it arrives from Sydney on Mondays at 19:10, departing Broken Hill on Tuesdays at 07:45 for the return to Sydney. NSW TrainLink also operates a daily road coach service, departing the Broken Hill Tourist Information Centre at 03:45, connecting at

1348:, South Australia. Backloading to Broken Hill transported supplies, principally coal for boilers at the mines and timber for the timber sets used underground in mining. The Silverton Tramway Company was the most profitable railway company on the Australia Stock Exchange. 1394:) narrow-gauge railway line that ran north from Broken Hill for about 40 miles (64 km) to an area of limestone deposit which was transported to Broken Hill for use in the smelters at the mines. The tramway opened in 1891 but closed in 1898 as the smelters moved to 1344:. However, by the time the railway reached Silverton it was already being eclipsed by the newer and bigger mine at Broken Hill. The main purpose of the railway was to transport concentrates and ores from the mines to the smelters and port facilities on the coast at 921:

Parts of the town received record rainfall totals since records began in 1884, with total exceeding 140 mm (5.5 in) fell in a 24-hour period on 16 March 2022. The main street resembled a river in the floods that followed resulting in the death of one man.

2602:, to profitability and prompted Consolidated Broken Hill Limited to advance development of the untouched Western Lodes and Centenary Lodes. This created over 70 jobs during development and will lead to a second, new, milling operation built within the town. 872:, but were later identified as being from the British colony of India (modern day Pakistan). They killed four and wounded six, before they were killed by a group of policemen and soldiers. The battle witnessed one of the first shots on Australian soil during 1155:

In 2010, the Central Power Station (CPS) buildings were handed back to Broken Hill City Council for a proposed re-development as a film studio, due to the perceived need for a facility in Broken Hill by some local people in preparation for the production of

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to provide public transport around town and to the mines. Eventually the NSW Government decided to build one, which was opened in 1902. It was operated by steam trams transferred from Sydney by sea and then by rail across South Australia. After

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In 1918, the Italian Ambassador to Australia, Emilio Eles, with the help of the Australian police and the army, organised the roundup of Italian deserters working there as miners, to be forcibly sent back to Italy to fight in the war.

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equipment was gradually removed from the Central Power Station. The mothballed Southern Power Station, now owned by remnant miner Perilya, still houses five, 9 cylinder, Nordberg marine engines and two Mirrlees V16 marine engines.

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Average incomes in Broken Hill are higher than the national average. According to the 2016 Australian Census the median weekly household income in the city was $ 1968; considerably higher than the national average of $ 1,438.

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amongst undulating plain country on either side. This was known as the Broken Hill by early pastoralists. Miners called the ore body the Line of Lode. A unique mineral recently identified from Broken Hill has been named

4038: 3008:– 999 AM (Since Broken Hill is on Central Time, ABC Local Radio's national and statewide programming is received from Adelaide instead of Sydney when the Broken Hill studios are not broadcasting local programming.) 548:, thus establishing Broken Hill's recognition as a prosperous mining town well into the 1990s. Despite experiencing a slowing economic situation into the late 1990s and 2000s, Broken Hill itself was listed on the 4937: 2732:. The Pro Hart Gallery and Sculpture Park contains a large collection of Hart's paintings and sculptures, as well as many artworks of others that he collected during his lifetime. The gallery also features the 1468:

in 1919, but a 257 kilometres (160 miles) gap remained between Trida and Menindee. It was finally closed in 1925, resulting in a continuous route from Sydney to Broken Hill. The terminus for the train was at

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By the 1890s, mining development had increased to the point that there was a severe water shortage and the mines and the people fought for water. Emergency water supplies were shipped by rail from the

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Broken Hill has never had a permanent local water supply that meets the town's needs. By 1888 when the town's population had reached 5,000, the state government built a series of small storage tanks.

4871: 1696:. The average maximum during the summer is about 33 °C (91 °F) with an average of 25% humidity, although storms and cooler weather do occur. Broken Hill averages 157.3 clear days per year. 5355: 1351:

The main sidings and locomotive servicing facilities were in Railwaytown, a suburb of Broken Hill, with sidings running to the south and north to serve the mines. The main passenger station was at

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Southern Cross GTS/BKN broadcasts Seven Network programming including AFL telecasts and other sporting and major events. Southern Cross Ten broadcasts Network Ten output and some programming from

1144:) was erected near the New Broken Hill Consolidated Mine to provide power to the southern end of the Line of Lode. Both stations were connected to a common grid that serviced the mines on the 5450: 4813: 1501:

During World War II, land transportation between South Australia and the eastern states became important because of the threat posed by submarines and mines to coastal shipping. Extensive

717:(1917–1971). Lead with the isotope signature of the Broken Hill deposits has been found across the entire continent of Antarctica in ice cores dating back to the late nineteenth century. 3849: 2747:

Many clubs exist and are open most nights of the week until late. Establishments catering to both locals and tourists include the Musician's Club and the Barrier Social Democratic Club.

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men, pushing an ice-cream cart, hoisted a Turkish Flag and fired upon a trainload of people who were headed to a New Years Day picnic. Since Australia was at war at the time with the

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and surrounded by desert, the town has prominent park and garden displays and offers a number of attractions, such as the Living Desert Sculptures. The town has a high potential for

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they came from proved to be the largest and richest of its kind in the world. Rasp and six associates founded the Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), later BHP Billiton, and now

1655:. Silver City Scenic Flights provide local scenic flights over the city, longer air safaris to various destinations in outback Australia and also private air charter services from 4034: 413: 401: 6085: 3715: 2579:

Broken Hill has been and still is a town dominated by the mining industry, which led to considerable town prosperity in the 19th and 20th century. The mines founded on the

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The top religious groups in Broken Hill are Catholic (18.0%), Anglican (8.8%) and Uniting Church (6.1%). 48.8% stated no religion and 9.9% did not answer the question.

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Aerial view of the Broken Hill solar plant. Broken Hill receives a high proportion of sunlight, making it suitable for electricity to be generated from solar power.

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history. Some of the most bitter industrial disputes have been fought in Broken Hill in 1892, 1909 and 1919. The last of these led to the formation in 1923 of the

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prevented the society from mounting its 60th anniversary exhibition – instead its 61st anniversary was celebrated in an exhibition from December 2 to 17, 2022.

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Health effects related to the mining industry were endemic to Broken Hill for many years. In 1895, as many as 1 in 50 miners were estimated to be affected by

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where various scenes in town and surrounding outback were filmed. Mario's Palace, now trading as The Palace Hotel, has the "tack-o-rama" mural featured in

5344: 5300: 3683: 1477:. The rolling stock was transported by sea to South Australia and the railway was supervised by the superintendent of the Broken Hill Government Tramways. 1293:

in the early part of the 21st century, the Menindee pipeline became an insecure supply for the city, in its harsh semi-arid climate. In April 2019, a new

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Scheme on the Darling River secured the water supply to Broken Hill, making it a relative oasis amid the harsh climate of the Australian outback. High

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with principal photography taking place across twelve weeks. Scenes were shot at the Pinnacles as well as the Mundi Mundi Plains. In 2022 filming for

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Australian Aboriginal (9.2%). 77.8% of residents reported both parents being born in Australia, notably higher than the national average of 45.9%.

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has increased markedly; from 0.6% in 1971 to 10.0% in 2021, partly owing to the migration of non-indigenous Australians away from Broken Hill.

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Looking down Sulphide St to the rail line and man-made mullock heaps in the background. The Broken Earth visitor centre is in the background.

4177: 2942: 1399: 1336:) narrow-gauge railway across the border to the mines, the last 31 kilometres (19 miles) were built and operated by a private company, the 907:

is now one of the principal industries in the area and there are considerably more sheep than people – almost 2 million Merino sheep.

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walls. Although corrugated iron was widely used as a roofing material throughout Australia, it was not commonly used for walls of houses.

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In 2021, Broken Hill had a population of 17,588. The median age is 44 and 10.0% of residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

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that causes a sharp temperature drop from time to time, on account of its far western longitude exposing it to cold airmasses off the

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Although Broken Hill is in New South Wales, the programming schedules for these channels (excluding the ABC) is the same as those of

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In 1952, Broken Hill's demands for a permanent water supply were met with the completion of a 61 cm (24 in) pipeline from

1126: 1057: 125: 3819:"Description and crystal structure of nyholmite, a new mineral related to hureaulite, from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia" 6204:"This is a portrait ... of a city and its surrounds. It is a collection of photography, poetry and prose around/about this place." 2768:—set in the fictional mining town of Bundanyabba—is a thinly disguised portrait of Broken Hill. Cook based the novel on eccentric 6121: 5387: 5279: 3705: 3084: 2686: 2281: 1685: 1196:

The high potential for solar power given the extensive daily hours of sunshine in the town led to construction of the 53 MW

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to Sydney. The return journey arrives daily at 22:45. On 24 June 2019, NSW TrainLink introduced a twice weekly coach service to

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link was finished in 1888. Since the New South Wales Government would not allow the South Australian Government to continue its

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communities in Australia, and in Broken Hill they left their mark in the form of the first mosque in New South Wales (1880).

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Broken Hill has always had a small indigenous community. In recent decades, the proportion of the population identifying as

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plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the orebody stood out as a jagged

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Unlike the rest of New South Wales, Broken Hill (and the surrounding region) observes Australian Central Standard Time (

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Agutter, Karen (2011). "Belligerent Broken Hill Fighting the Forced Repatriation of Allied Aliens During World War I".

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that gave its name to Broken Hill actually consisted of a number of hills that appeared to have a break in them. This

6060: 3871: 3277: 1340:. "Silverton" was incorporated into the name because the railway was originally intended to serve the mining town of 5788: 5637: 6782: 6519: 6428: 6372: 6184: 3555: 3325: 3187: 3064: 2833: 2571: 1590: 1521: 1341: 1302: 1294: 1209: 900: 559:, has been referred to as "The Silver City", and less commonly as the "Oasis of the West", and the "Capital of the 476: 85: 2788:

of the same name, shot on location in Broken Hill and starring Gary Bond, Donald Pleasence and Broken Hill native

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singer and musical theatre performer, whose adopted (stage) surname is a contraction of the name of her hometown

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Corrugated-iron balconies and awnings are a characteristic feature of Broken Hill's architecture and streetscape

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featuring his character Bonaparte. in 1958. Ion L. Idriess wrote the novel "The Silver City" based on the town.

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of South Australia, which is more than 500 km (310 mi) to the southwest and linked via route A32, the

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Broken Hill is also known for its input into the formation of the labour movement in Australia, and has a rich

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The town is prominent in Australia's mining, industrial relations and economic history after the discovery of

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is a common and popular side dish in Broken Hill, and some residents claim the dish originated in the city.

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being an Aboriginal word for "hill with broken contour") was formed in 1961 under the driving influence of

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was set in Broken Hill. Writing celebrating this unique community is featured in “from this Broken Hill”.

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The Broken Earth Restaurant is situated on top of mullock heaps and provides panoramic views of the town.

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recommended that the Government take over the line and it subsequently became a narrow-gauge part of the

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In 2021, Broken Hill had an unemployment rate of 5.5%, which was higher than the state average of 4.9%.

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An excursion train on the Silverton Tramway was fired on by two immigrant supporters of the wartime

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or garden soil was provided with free remediation works to reduce potential exposure to lead dust.

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rates have resulted in the policy of using the local storage for supply before using the pipeline.

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Rails to wealth: a history of the Silverton Tramway Company Limited, Broken Hill's railway service

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it sustained increasing losses until the New South Wales Government closed the system in 1926.

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first began settling the area in the 1850s, and the main trade route to the area was along the

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characters he befriended in Broken Hill, drawing on their penchant for ritualistic drinking,

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developed a nostalgic association with the city after his first visit in 1910, and published

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