NEWPORT POWER STATION ASH PONDS, DYKE AND SPILLWAY

100 THE STRAND NEWPORT, HOBSONS BAY CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Newport Power Station Williamstown April 2003 Ash Pitt Walls 003

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    NEWPORT POWER STATION ASH PONDS, DYKE AND SPILLWAY - History

    The Newport Power Station was built at the mouth of then Yarra River between 1913 and 1918, and was constructed to supply energy for the electrification of the suburban rail system. It also supplied electricity to the Melbourne Electrical Supply Company and the Melbourne City Council, until the SEC began operations in 1924. A second station, Newport B was built alongside, and both stations effectively operated as one. Further additions were added in 1949, when a Fuel Supply Depot (coal briquette dump) was established on former swampland. Use of the dump was discontinued in the early 1970's (Butler, 2000:43). Located at top end of Dead Dog Bay, two stone faced embankments, a spillway and two ash ponds are shown in a 1975 plan (BLC#17), and were used by the Newport Power Station to dump the ash from the power station furnaces. Somerville (per comms) recounts that locals would make "cubbyholes" in the seawall (at the top of the bay under where the ash pits retaining walls are) for shelter from the elements when eeling.

    Interpretation of Site

    NEWPORT POWER STATION ASH PONDS, DYKE AND SPILLWAY - Interpretation of Site

    The date of the two ash-pitsis uncertain. There are still holes in the seawall in this area, which could be attributed to fisher's cubbyholes.There are still holes in the seawall in this area, which could be attributed to fisher's cubbyholes. The site is of historical significance for its relation to early power generation for the suburban rail system, supply to the Melbourne Electrical Supply Company and the Melbourne City Council until SEC operations commenced in 1924. The site is of archaeological significance for its potential to provide evidence relating to electricity generation activities and possible eeling in the bay.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    NEWPORT POWER STATION ASH PONDS, DYKE AND SPILLWAY - Heritage Inventory Description

    The remains of the former ash-pits, retaining dyke walls and spillway were still extant. Two ash-pits (approx 26m diameter) are evident on either side of the former spillway area, and consisted of a distinctive black dust deposit which also appeared in abundance amongst the rocks and foreshore of the area.

    Ash pits, dyke walls, spillway

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    NEWPORT POWER STATION ASH PONDS, DYKE AND SPILLWAY

    

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