MANUFACTURING SYDNEY REAL ESTATE
I first became aware of BHP’s Sydney Wiremill at Five Dock in Sydney on Parramatta River when I was photographing the historic Nestlé factory close by for Drummoyne Council (now Canada Bay Council). The heritage of such factories was directly linked to the industrial revolution. I worked as a student in factories like these with their clever use of natural light and pulleys and belts once driven by coal fired steam engines.
It was obvious even in 1998 with Sydney’s escalating population, rising real estate prices and growing number of apartment buildings, that time was running out for BHP’s Sydney Wiremill. My love of industrial heritage and entrepreneurial spirit led me to approach BHP for funding to document the mill in anticipation of its closure.
I ended up photographing almost all of the remaining 220 workers and interviewing many of them as well for my ‘Down to the Wire’ book published in the year BHP’s Sydney Wiremill closed. BHP’s Wiremill owed its success to rabbits introduced to Australia in the 1850s and the need of farmers for rabbit proof fences.
The text of my book follows a fascinating timeline through Sydney’s history, a history brought to life by migrant workers from all parts of the world. By 1890 the demand for wire netting in Australia reached 10,000 kilometres annually. By 1913 it was 50,000 kilometres, employing 400 people. The company’s early brochures highlighted product quality, premium pricing, recruiting, new technology, customer service and vigorous political lobbying.