19 July 2010
Retaining Heritage at Toorourrong Reservoir
- Bluestone to remain in Toorourrong Reservoir Park
- Local advisory group formed
- Multi-million upgrade for reservoir
A local advisory group will be established to help decide how to re-use bluestone that needs to be relocated within the Toorourrong Reservoir Park.
Melbourne Water is upgrading Toorourrong Reservoir to ensure it meets new Australian dam standards. The upgrade, costing more than $11 million, will raise the dam wall by 2.5 metres and replace the old spillway.
Melbourne Water's Heritage Coordinator, Paul Balassone, said the present infrastructure was 120 years old and must be replaced to continue to meet structural standards.
"After careful planning and looking at various options, we will be able to retain all the bluestone from the scour structure that runs into Plenty River," Mr Balassone said.
"Unfortunately, we have to remove the bluestone and granite from the spillway structure that runs to Plenty River and from the outlet structure to the Clearwater Channel, to ensure we comply with new dam standards."
Mr Balassone said Melbourne Water was committed to opportunities to preserve heritage and would ensure the removed bluestone was put to good use in the Toorourrong Reservoir Park.
"We are forming an advisory group to provide ideas on how the bluestone can be re-used at the site. We will be inviting Heritage Victoria, Parks Victoria, the local historical society and local residents to work with us on this process.
"As an organisation that's been around for more than 100 years, heritage is really important to Melbourne Water, and we constantly have to balance the need to upgrade vital water supply infrastructure with remaining respectful to our past.
"Some of our oldest assets have been removed, restored and turned into a display if they can't remain a functioning part of the water supply system."
Melbourne Water has a strong track record of preserving its heritage. The original valve house at Yan Yean Reservoir (circa 1857) was relocated and reconstructed after it reached the end of its functional life. An historic water tank dating back to the 1890s was restored last year and the tank and an interpretive centre are now part of regular tours at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee.
Melbourne Water has consulted extensively on the Toorourrong Reservoir upgrade with the Whittlesea City Council, Heritage Victoria, Parks Victoria and local indigenous leaders, and will continue to liaise with these groups and local residents.
A community site walk and information session will be held at Toorourrong Reservoir Park on Sunday 25 July. For more information on this event, please call 1800 027 517.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford – 03 9235 1587 M – 0400 690 502