General News
23 November, 2025
Water under the bridge
PARONELLA Park’s iconic hydro-electric scheme has achieved national recognition from Engineers Australia, 91 years after visionary builder José Paronella first harnessed the power of flowing water to ignite his dream in the rainforest.
Members of Engineers Australia Cairns committee were among the 36 invited guests at the official unveiling ceremony.
The site is home to Queensland’s earliest example of a river-powered hydroelectric system still operating with its original turbine.
Park owners Mark and Judy Evans, Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood, Andrew Reid, Darren Beattie, Peter Webb and Rod McDonald unveiled the engineering heritage marker and interpretive panel.
Engineering Heritage Queensland deputy chairman Allan Churchward said the recognition recognised enduring feats of engineering and the people behind them.
“The ceremony is not just about preservation of machinery,” Mr Churchward said.
“It’s about celebrating innovation and the community stories tied to these engineering milestones,” he said.
Paronella Park’s hydro system, first commissioned in 1933, fell silent for four decades after the place endured hardship in the 1970s, including a fire, dwindling visitor numbers and severe cyclone damage in 2006.
A remarkable restoration began in 2008, led by the Evans with assistance from Ergon Energy and German specialists Heidemann Hydro.
Park employee Kevin Temple assisted with the dismantling of the century-old turbine which was transported to Germany for refurbishment.
The two-year restoration cost $400,000, with the bulk of these funds raised from visitor revenue, along with a $45,000 Queensland Government heritage grant and around $20,000 in public donations.
Today, the hydro system powers the entire park using water from the falls, generating up to 14kW/h enough to meet daily demand, with any surplus energy fed back into the grid.
The Engineering Heritage Australia award, which is part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program, aims to publicly celebrate, promote and preserve Australia’s significant engineering and industrial heritage.
Since 1984, Engineers Australia’s Heritage Recognition Program has honoured more than 130 sites across the nation.
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