Protecting and creating

BARWON Water is forming a community reference group as part of work to improve the safety of the heritage-listed Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct in Breakwater.

The work will enable public access to the Barwon River and 66 hectares of surrounding land, and create a new cultural and community precinct, to be called Porronggitj Karrong, meaning ‘place of the brolga’.

The precinct will is being developed in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Heritage Victoria has granted Barwon Water a permit to remove four of the 14 spans of the heritage-listed Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct in Breakwater, which has been rapidly deteriorating in condition since the 1970s.

The permit came with conditions to protect and conserve the remaining structure.

The community reference group will provide advice and support the creation of Porronggitj Karrong, acknowledging the Aboriginal and cultural values of the site, as well as the European heritage values of the aqueduct.

The group will provide input into a heritage interpretation plan for the aqueduct, to recognise the historical and architectural significance of the structure, including recording through photographic archival surveys, and using 3D technology.

The terms of reference for the Porronggitj Karrong and Aqueduct Community Reference Group are available on Barwon Water’s website.

Anyone interested in being part of the community reference group must complete an expression of interest form by next Friday, September 17.