Barwon Water has been granted a heritage permit that allows it to safely demolish the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct near Breakwater with the retention of pier bases at ground level and the stair landings at either end including stabilisation works to those features. The permit also allows for opportunistic salvage during demolition and delivery of a comprehensive heritage interpretation program.  

Barwon Water lodged a permit application to Heritage Victoria in September 2025, seeking to remove the aqueduct’s 14 towers and spans, while retaining and activating other elements through a comprehensive heritage interpretation program. 

The proposal followed extensive expert investigations and an independent review that found the deteriorating aqueduct could not be safely maintained and would eventually fail, even with structural propping. 

The approved works also pave the way for a key stretch of the Barwon River corridor to safely reopen, more than 30 years after it was closed to the public.  

Decision making authority Heritage Victoria publicly advertised the application and received 23 submissions. Following a detailed assessment, Heritage Victoria has issued a permit, which includes a number of conditions.  To view the permit and to see a full list and explanation of the conditions, you can visit Heritage Victoria’s website at www.heritage.vic.gov.au/

Barwon Water will continue to engage the community and key stakeholders through the development of a Heritage Interpretation Strategy (HIS).

The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct was decommissioned in the early 1990s, with the surrounding area closed to the public for safety reasons since 1995.  

Once the works are completed and the site is made safe, this stretch of the Barwon River corridor and the broader Porronggitj Karrong area, will be progressively reopened for access. This is expected to commence sometime in 2028.  

For more information on the project, please visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/aqueduct