Busby's Bore

Unique IDPC-000011Alternative titleBusbys BoreTypePlaceDescriptionThe construction of Busby’s Bore was the first major infrastructure project in Sydney. By the 1820s the necessity to ensure a constant water supply to the city of Sydney had become vital following a series of droughts. Mineral Surveyor and Civil Engineer John Busby (1756 - 1857) was tasked with completing a survey of existing and potential water sources by Sir Thomas Brisbane. Busby selected Lachlan Swamp (Centennial Park) as the appropriate source.

Construction of the waterway which runs between Centennial Park and Hyde Park began in 1827. Convict labour was used to tunnel through mostly solid sandstone. Work was slow and took 10 years to complete. This source of water remained Sydney’s only water supply until the Botany Bay Swamp Scheme became operational in 1859.

The tunnel was named Busby’s Bore after its engineer John Busby. Busby's Bore was entered on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.

This place record contains a small selection of archives relating to Busby's Bore.
To find even more items relating to Busby's Bore, try the search tool.External linksDictionary of Sydney - Busby's BoreBiography - John Busby (1765-1857)Sydney Water Heritage Fact Sheet - Busby's Bore

Item

Report of a survey (with plan and section) of the water tunnel (known as Busby's bore), 1854 -1855

Letter - Remove 90 acres of water reserve for a park, 1886

Memorandum - Clearing tunnel from Lachlan Swamp to Hyde Park, 1873

Letter - Request for return about water pumped from Botany waterworks and received from Busby's Bore, 1876

Information File - Parks, Hyde Park, Busby Bore

Letter - Register of Water in Tunnel (Busby's Bore), 1855

Photograph

Busby's Bore, no date

Map

Map - Plan Shewing Present Water Supply and Proposed Improvements, 1869

Busby's Bore - Photograph date unknown

Geo location

Geo address10,Oxford Street,Paddington,Sydney,2021,Australia

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Busby's Bore