Aqueduct Survey

Barwon Water Aqueduct Survey

Barwon Water has invited the community to provide feedback and ideas on the fate of the Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct via an online survey. The button below will take members to the Barwon Water Survey, which will close on July 27.

Background

At the April meeting of the Geelong Historical Society, long-time member and advocate for the Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct, Jennifer Bantow, delivered a passionate address about the urgent need to conserve this remarkable structure. Those present voted unanimously to support efforts to prevent its loss.

The Society has written to the Managing Director of Barwon Water and communicated the society’s position with regards the conservation of the Aqueduct.

The secretary informed Barwon Water that their decision to seek the demolition of great bulk of the structure “represents a significant departure from the approach endorsed under the 2020 Heritage Victoria permit, which allowed only for limited removal and required adaptive conservation. The Society considers the aqueduct to be a structure of outstanding cultural and technical significance — a rare and valuable survivor of early 20th-century engineering“.

The secretary reinforced the Society view which was stated in our 1996 submission that the Aqueduct should be retained in its entirety. The Society remains committed to supporting an outcome that balances public safety, cultural value, and community interest. As such the secretary communicated the view that the Aqueduct should be left as a “Noble Ruin” with all the necessary safeguards put in place to ensure the safety of the community.

It was stressed that the proposed “Porronggitj Karrong” precinct, with its emphasis on culture, ecology and community use, offers an ideal setting for reimagining the aqueduct as a centrepiece — not a casualty — of landscape renewal.

The Secretary is attending a briefing from Barwon Water on July 23, when he will reinforce the society’s position.