Restoration for historic baths site

A HERITAGE asset of Buninyong life from the late 19th century is receiving a much-needed revamp.

Restoration work on the walls of the town’s former swimming baths was set to begin last week.

New foundations are to be added to support the concrete walls.

Located in Buninyong’s botanic gardens, the walls had shown varying degrees of leaning. Works will include replacement of several wall panels, repairing and sealing cracks and gravel laid for improved drainage.

It is expected the project will be completed by the end of June.

Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the works were vital.

“Dating back more than 160 years, the Buninyong baths hold extraordinary heritage value within the much-loved Buninyong Botanic Gardens,” she said. “These works aim to safeguard the former baths’ significant heritage while preserving their historic character.”

Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the baths represented a significant part of Buninyong’s recreational and social history.

Opened as a swimming pool in 1872, the baths were used until the 1930s when it was closed due to high E. coli levels. It was transformed in the 1990s into a garden.

Originally scheduled for an early 2026 completion, closer inspection after vegetation removal showed a need for slight modification to the project’s approach. Additional Heritage Victoria approvals were required and then secured.

The garden will be reinstated after the wall conservation works are completed.

Bridget Wetherall, City of Ballarat director for infrastructure and environment, said the works were essential to ensure the historic feature continued to flourish.

“This project was identified as a priority in 2020, when garden maintenance works revealed there were structural issues with the walls that needed to be rectified,” she said.

“When the project is finished the community will once again be able to access the garden within the walls.”