8 October 2010
Resumption of Works at Toorourrong Dam
Melbourne Water has been granted permission by Heritage Victoria to resume some of its works at the Toorourrong Reservoir.
The water authority applied for a permit exemption to replace the scour gate and to conduct some geotechnical investigative works, on the basis that the works will have no significant heritage impacts.
Melbourne Water’s Heritage Coordinator, Paul Balassone, said these initial works would not directly impact the bluestone and granite features of the reservoir.
“We have to upgrade the 125 year old dam because it no longer meets dam safety standards and poses a flood risk to Whittlesea,” Mr Balassone said.
“Our engineers examined numerous ways to upgrade the dam without disturbing the original bluestone, but couldn’t meet modern dam safety standards.
“We agree that heritage is important, but safety is more important and that’s why we have to do this upgrade,” Mr Balassone said.
Melbourne Water was required to delay its entire program of works on the dam when the Heritage Council of Victoria issued an Interim Protection Order under the Heritage Act.
The water authority has also applied for a permit to carry out the rest of its proposed works at the reservoir and this is still being considered by Heritage Victoria.
The permit application emphasises Melbourne Water’s statutory obligations under the Water Act to carry out the works in the interests of public safety.
Melbourne Water intends to resume work on the scour gate on Monday, after receiving the exemption permit (PDF, 401kb).
Earthmoving equipment will be returning to the site today.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford – 03 9235 1587 M – 0400 690 502
Downloads
- Heritage Victoria Scour Gate Exemption Granted (PDF, 401kb)
- Toorourrong Exemption Works (PDF, 486kb)
You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the above PDF documents. 