Aqueduct structure

Aqueduct update

Barwon Water is continuing to progress planning for removal of the four of the 14 spans of the aqueduct structure in accordance with a Heritage Victoria permits granted on 16 November 2020.

The works will ensure public safety and improve public access to the Barwon River and surrounding land, while balancing heritage values, Aboriginal cultural values and managing costs for our customers.

A planning permit application to remove a minimal area of native vegetation required to facilitate the partial demolition, structural propping and associated Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct works was lodged with City of Greater Geelong on Friday 19 March 2021.

The native vegetation proposed to be removed, which is under and beside the aqueduct structure, will be offset with vegetation elsewhere on the site. The area will also be revegetated once the works are completed.

We anticipate commencing the aqueduct works (including structural propping, demolition and fencing) when it's drier later this year or in early 2022, when works in the waterway are safe to be undertaken. We will keep the community informed on our progress for the works and further opportunities to get involved.

Porronggitj Karrong project

We are also progressing the Porronggitj Karrong project working in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to rehabilitate the 66 hectares of public open space surrounding the aqueduct.

The project aims to provide a place where Aboriginal, heritage and community values can be brought together using Traditional Owner practices.

The Wadawurrung-Barwon Water partnership team is currently undertaking research, due diligence studies and on the ground works to listen and learn from Country at Porronggitj Karrong. These initiatives have been identified by our Traditional Owners Wadawurrung as key priorities to assist us in developing a full understanding of site’s values.

Community engagement

We are committed to ensuring the community is kept informed and has an opportunity to have input into these important projects.

We are currently developing a community engagement plan, outlining opportunities for the community to be involved including for example, in the development of an interpretation plan for the aqueduct as part of a wider plan for the area.

We have established an agency reference group, including key stakeholders from Wadawurrung, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and City of Greater Geelong, which met for the first time in March. All attendees were positive about the partnership with Wadawurrung and proposed approach to the project. The group will meet again at the end of April.

Barwon Water welcomes Heritage Victoria’s decision to grant a permit to remove four of the 14 spans of the heritage-listed Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct in Breakwater.

The important decision means the critical public safety risks posed by the aqueduct can be addressed and safe public access on the river and surrounding land can be opened up, after demolition of the spans has been completed, for the first time in nearly three decades.

Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter acknowledged the decision, which came with conditions relating to the management of the remaining structure into the future, and said Barwon Water was looking forward to making the area safe.

“While safety is our highest priority, we understand the significance of this structure and look forward to honouring its story at the site where the remaining 10 spans will continue to be viewed and enjoyed.

“As part of the works, we will develop a Heritage Infrastructure Management Plan, undertake works to stabilise the remaining structure and install vibration monitoring.

“Works will take a number of years and Heritage Victoria will be involved throughout the process.

“We look forward to working with community members and stakeholders on an interpretation plan for the aqueduct which will recognise the historical and architectural significance of the structure, which will also be recorded through photographic archival surveys, and using 3D technology.”

Ms Slatter said this significant project, costing up to $6.5 million, would generate jobs and many other benefits for the region including via opening up public open space, river access and tourism.

She said that after the aqueduct was made safe, Barwon Water planned to progressively open the 66-hectares of surrounding Barwon Water-owned land to the public.

“Along with the aqueduct’s significant European heritage value, the area that it occupies is also significant for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners who have a connection with the river and surrounds which dates back thousands of years.

“In partnership with Wadawurrung and other stakeholders we will engage broadly to develop a plan that, when implemented, will enable the area to be accessed and enjoyed by the whole community for its high ecological, heritage, cultural and recreational values.”

Background

The Barwon River under the aqueduct has been closed to river users due to the safety risks posed by falling concrete from the structure, but work will ensure safe access to the Barwon River and surrounding land in public parkland that will balance heritage values, Aboriginal cultural values and managing costs for Barwon Water customers.

Referred to as Porronggitj Karrong (Place of the Brolga) the cultural and community precinct proposed for the area is intended to be an opportunity to walk, ride, paddle, reflect, and investigate, rediscover, trial, rehabilitate and introduce traditional land and water management practices.

Plans will be developed in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and in consultation with the broader Geelong community.

As part of exploring opportunities for opening the surrounding land to the community, we have been working together with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to identify the Aboriginal cultural values of the river and area.

In partnership with Wadawurrung, we would like to gather information about the landscape and water, and engage other interested stakeholders to develop a plan for the area.

This cultural and community precinct, referred to as Porronggitj Karrong (Place of the Brolga) is intended to be an opportunity to investigate, rediscover, trial, rehabilitate and introduce traditional land and water management practices.

This photomontage has been developed to provide an indicative vision for the 66 ha cultural and community precinct incorporating the aqueduct. Plans will be developed in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and in consultation with the broader Geelong community.

View a larger version of the photomontage PDF (2MB)

The application currently before Heritage Victoria to remove the four spans of the aqueduct will address the immediate public safety issues and access to the waterway, as well as enable the Porronggitj Karrong vision and allow the broader community access to the 66 hectares of open space.