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Peel's Well
General
Significance
Description
History
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Status
Permanent Declaration
Type
Place
Nomination Accepted
28/SEP/95
Assessment Report Considered
07/DEC/00
Referred Back
21/JUN/96
Signed By Minister
07/MAY/03
Gazetted
13/AUG/03
Publish Notice Of Declaration
25/OCT/03
LGA
Darwin Municipality
Statement Of Heritage Value
Peel's Well is associated with the site of the early settlement of Port Darwin. It is a reminder of the population's dependence upon coastal springs for a reliable water supply and recalls the role of the Chinese in supply of fresh produce to town residents.
The site is also associated with Doctor Robert Peel, the medical officer attached to Goyder's 1869 survey party. This association is further reinforced by the colloquial name for the area, `Doctor's Gully'. Concrete walls constructed during World War II dominate the earliest fabric of the well.
The Site has major significance in terms of its association with the first settlement in Darwin. It was named for Doctor Robert Peel the medical officer attached to Goyder's survey party in 1869. A well was gazetted on 19 April 1877 and provided water for the first gardens in the settlement. The well also provided water for visiting ships. Most of the gardens were the work of Chinese and the first formal lease was issued on 30 March 1875 to three Chinese settlers. These gardens were retained up to the late 1930's.
However, with the onset of war the surrounding area became a flying boat base for the RAAF and several squadrons of Catalina's were based there. Slipways and jetties were built and the oil tanks were installed. After the war the area was abandoned by the military and the jetty collapsed in 1949.
Value
Historic
Description
All that parcel of land at Doctor's Gully in the Town of Darwin, Northern Territory of Australia containing an area of 81 square metres more or less being that part of Lot 5686 designated Lot 6584(A) and bounded by lines described as follows:
Commencing at a point bearing 234 degrees 18.8 metres from the most western corner of Lot 4243; thence by lines bearing 175 degrees 8.2 metres, 253 degrees 41 minutes 30 seconds 9.18 metres; 355 degrees 10 metres and 85 degrees 9 metres to the point of commencement.
Instrument
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