Barwon Water is planning to apply for a new permit to safely dismantle the 110-year-old Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct while recognising its heritage values.

Extensive expert investigations have found that the current Heritage Victoria permit requirements cannot be met safely, as the aqueduct cannot be maintained and will eventually fail.

Barwon Water is committed to acknowledging and recognising the heritage value of the Aqueduct and is developing a Heritage Interpretation Strategy to support its application to Heritage Victoria.

To help shape this strategy, we’re engaging with the project’s Community Reference Group and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. 

Community members and other interested stakeholders are invited to share their feedback and ideas on heritage interpretation via an online survey.

The survey will be open until Monday 28 July.

The Heritage Interpretation Strategy will focus on the historic, scientific, aesthetic and architectural significance of the aqueduct. The strategy will also guide decision-making and future planning including a heritage interpretation plan (subject to Heritage Victoria’s decision).

The permit application may include the retention of parts at either end of the structure and pier bases, (if safe to do), new installations (such as markers, viewing platforms) significant documentation, history recording including three-dimensional archival recording and other creative approaches such as off-site exhibitions, online media and public events.

We also plan to engage with any people or groups who made a submission during the previous permit application process. 

Barwon Water plans to lodge the new application to Heritage Victoria in September 2025.

As part of this process, community members and interested stakeholders will have an opportunity to review the application and make submissions as part of Heritage Victoria’s submissions process.