OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVER

140 TANNER STREET BREAKWATER AND 91-97 TANNERY ROAD CHARLEMONT, GREATER GEELONG CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register

OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVER SOHE 2008

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVER - History

    The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct was constructed over the Barwon River at Breakwater in 1913-15 for the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust as part of a sewerage scheme to serve Geelong. The sewer extended south from the urban centre of Geelong to the coast at Black Rock to discharge into Bass Strait at the shoreline. The outfall sewer, which comprised a reinforced concrete pipe of ovoid shape, crossed the Barwon River at Breakwater and was conveyed across the flood plain by means of a long reinforced concrete aqueduct of innovative design.

    The aqueduct and sewer were designed and constructed by Tasmanian engineer Edward Giles Stone and his partner Ernest J. Siddeley. A purpose-built factory was established nearby, adjacent to the railway, to manufacture the sections of sewer pipe, with production commencing in 1912.

    One of the most innovative forms of concrete reinforcement used in Australia, the Considere system, was used in the construction of the aqueduct. Heavy spiral reinforcing bars were used to increase the compressive strength of the concrete core. E. G. Stone was the greatest individual exponent of this system and his design of the Dennys Lascelles Austin wool store at Geelong in 1909 (now demolished) was an excellent example of the application of this system. Stone was also a great innovator and this is evident in his application for a number of patents from 1908.

    Cracks began to appear in the concrete work of the aqueduct as early as 1922 and initial repairs were made in 1923-24. Other repair works have been made since this time. The aqueduct was decommissioned in 1992 following the construction of a new sewer main under the river however the structure has been retained.

    The draft statement of significance and the above history were produced as part of an Online Data Upgrade Project 2009. Sources were as follows:

    References:
    Concrete and Constructional Engineering Vol XI no 1 January 1916, pp 49-51
    Various reports in the Geelong Advertiser and Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust Minutes
    A.W. Cooke, "Sewering Geelong', Investigator, June 1981, p 55
    A. Willingham, 'The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct at Breakwater Geelong Victoria, Assessment of Cultural Significance and Preparation of a Conservation Plan', 1991 [extract on file 602391 part1]

    Assessment Against Criteria

    OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVER - Assessment Against Criteria

    The Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct, designed and constructed by the Tasmanian engineers Edward Giles Stone and Ernest J. Siddeley, and constructed in 1913-15 for the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust. Objects integral to the manufacture of the concrete sewer pipes, including various moulds and gantries, are still in place at the former factory site nearby, adjacent to Marshall Station.

    Permit Exemptions

    OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVER - Permit Exemptions

    General Exemptions:

    General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

    Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

    Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

    Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

    Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

    Specific Exemptions:

    General Conditions: 1. All exempted alterations are to be planned and carried out in a manner which prevents damage to the fabric of the registered place or object. General Conditions: 2. Should it become apparent during further inspection or the carrying out of works that original or previously hidden or inaccessible details of the place or object are revealed which relate to the significance of the place or object, then the exemption covering such works shall cease and Heritage Victoria shall be notified as soon as possible. Note: All archaeological places have the potential to contain significant sub-surface artefacts and other remains. In most cases it will be necessary to obtain approval from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria before the undertaking any works that have a significant sub-surface component.

    General Conditions: 3. If there is a conservation policy and planall works shall be in accordance with it. Note:A Conservation Management Plan or a Heritage Action Plan provides guidance for the management of the heritage values associated with the site. It may not be necessary to obtain a heritage permit for certain works specified in the management plan.

    General Conditions: 4. Nothing in this determination prevents the Executive Director from amending or rescinding all or any of the permit exemptions. General Conditions: 5. Nothing in this determination exempts owners or their agents from the responsibility to seek relevant planning or building permits from the responsible authorities where applicable. Minor Works : Note: Any Minor Works that in the opinion of the Executive Director will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the place may be exempt from the permit requirements of the Heritage Act. A person proposing to undertake minor works must submit a proposal to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is satisfied that the proposed works will not adversely affect the heritage values of the site, the applicant may be exempted from the requirement to obtain a heritage permit. If an applicant is uncertain whether a heritage permit is required, it is recommended that the permits co-ordinator be contacted.
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