In 1934 the Chief inspector of Machinery, Scaffolding, Weights and Measures made a visit to Paronella Park. This was an official visit to check on the installation of the Turbine of Jose Paronella’s Hydro Electric Scheme.
This was something new; this scheme was the 1st attempt of its kind in Queensland and possibly in Australia. At the time, mains power in the area was just starting up, being very unreliable and having constant breakdowns. It also only serviced the major areas, and didn’t quite reach areas like Mena Creek. The Paronella’s and farmers in the area relied on kerosene lamps for lighting and fuel stoves for cooking.
Jose Paronella had been fascinated by the Hydro Schemes he had witnessed being constructed all over Europe. Mena Creek falls attracted him immediately as he knew he would be able to use them to generate power.
Jose worked out exactly how he was going to dam the creek and spoke to engineers at South Johnstone Mill. They were sceptical at first but once they had realised Jose had everything worked out they agreed to help. They gave him detailed instructions on what was needed done and what equipment was needed. After much thought and consultation Jose began ordering parts and equipment and began work on his greatest project to date.
Jose built a concrete wall on the existing rocky bar at the top of the falls. He then built a U-shaped aqueduct from the top of the falls across to the inlet pit. It was designed to let the water fall 30 feet through natural gravity, well within the capacity of the turbine which was designed for 500 feet falls. It was capable of generating far more than the 25KVA capacity of the alternator.
A sophisticated English model turbine was acquired:
it had variable pitch inlet valves to control the flow
It ran at 500rpm
A 24” discharge pipe was to bring the outlet water to the base of the building. A DC generator was bought from the army for a good price. The Governor controlled the speed of the generator which controlled the frequency of the current and voltage. This was belt driven and changed the angle of the flow of water over the turbine blades to maintain a constant speed of rotation. It all ran automatically.
The turbine was shaft-connected to a steel flywheel which drove a 415 volt AC 3 phase alternator and its 110 volt DC exciter.
Most difficult of all was the construction of the 12 steel reinforced concrete pillars for supporting the building and foundation of the turbine house. These had to be set into the rock at the base of the falls.
Before the roof and walls were to be constructed, the turbine and alternator had to be in place. A primitive crane called ‘sheer legs’ was utilised to lower them over the cliff.
Access to the turbine house was via a set of very narrow, steep concrete steps, which in the wet can be very slippery.
This meant that the turbine could never be removed, (a problem we have today with its restoration).
Jose installed a holding tank and a gate valve, a pipe to the falls weir and a strum box behind the weir to filter stones and debris.
The power generated could be used but not stored, but Jose had great plans for the power.
Lighting in the tunnel
Drive pumps to transfer water from Teresa Creek to the house
Power refrigeration
And above all to power the carbon arcs in the picture theatre he had planned
From: (
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Hydroelectric plant
In 1933, Paronella installed a hydro-electric plant, the first (privately owned) in Queensland, on the waterfall in the park. He used it to supply power for the park's lighting, pumps, refrigeration and cinema. The town of Mena Creek also used some of the electricity. The plant was eventually decommissioned.
In 2009 the park completed a restoration of the plant, and now runs entirely off hydro-electric power. Some of the excess electricity is fed back into the local grid.
Taken from: (
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