Barwon Water has announced a plan to dismantle the 110-year-old Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct. The aqueduct carried the Geelong outfall sewer across the Barwon River from 1915 to 1992, before being decommissioned and replaced by a pipeline under the river.
The permit issued in November 2020 allowed for the removal of four spans of the aqueduct, with the remaining 10 spans to be conserved. The water authority has now resolved to lodge a new permit application to remove the entire structure.
The aqueduct is an important part of Geelong’s heritage, the only visible sign of the early 20th century provision of a sewerage scheme for Geelong. It will form an impressive sight once the floodplain is open to public access. It is one of the few examples left of the use of the Considère system of reinforced concrete. The full historic importance of the aqueduct can be obtained from its listing in the Victorian Heritage Register. https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/518
As much of the aqueduct, as possible, should be retained and allowed to slowly collapse. The aqueduct is not a simple structure & collapse of one member is unlikely to cause the collapse of all of the structure. Despite numerous predictions that failure of the aqueduct was imminent it is still standing.
To prevent public access to the aqueduct and prevent any danger from falling concrete or collapse of any part of the aqueduct it should be securely fenced off & access along the walkway prevented. Since at least 2017 there has been fencing either side of the aqueduct to prevent access. There have been no reports of anyone being hurt by falling concrete. Fencing around the aqueduct is part of the present Heritage Victoria permit to demolish four spans.
Large section of structure already fenced for safety
There is an alternative to demolition.
- Establish a safe setting, by providing a public exclusion zone and enabling the public to view the structure from a safe distance from viewing platforms
- Do not dismantle the structure, allow it to ‘grow old gracefully’ as a noble ruin as defined in the document “Ruins – a guide to conservation and management” published by Australian Heritage Council (available on-line)
- There are numerous examples of ruins as tourist attractions and educational places
Read the expert advice on the website https://friendsofbarwonriverovoidseweraqueduct.org/
The current public Survey assumes that demolition is the only future for the Aqueduct.
Please complete the Barwon Water public survey and advise Barwon Water that the Aqueduct should not be demolished; it should be retained according to the expertise above.
https://www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/aqueduct
Scroll down the page to find the survey tab. Survey closes Sunday, 27 July.
Friends of Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct 