Busy bee brings Pemberton's replica hydro station a step closer to opening
People visiting the popular tourist town of Pemberton will soon have another attraction to check off their must-see list, with construction work on the hydro station bringing the building a step closer to opening to the public.
The South West Development Commission was behind the recent enhancements to the Pemberton Hydro, which now features a new verandah, fence and interpretative display.
Commission staff rolled up their sleeves to spend three days building the extensions.
It is expected the replica hydro station, located alongside the picturesque Lefroy Brook, will officially open its doors this summer.
Once fully operational, the facility will act as a demonstration of the industrial heritage of the region, while also generating electricity which will be sold to support a local community fund.
South West Development Commission regional coordinator Deanna Giumelli said at peak times the hydro generated 75 kilowatts of electricity an hour.
“It is anticipated that through the sale of electricity enough funds will eventually be generated to implement a sustainable grants process that will support local community groups and projects,” she said.
The original Pemberton Hydro provided electricity for the town from the 1930s until it was eventually decommissioned in the 1950s.
In the 1990s it was proposed that a replica hydro station be reconstructed on the Lefroy Brook.
Since then the South West Development Commission, with the aid of a community committee, has helped oversee the construction of the replica hydro station and pipeline.