Fears of falling concrete at a century-old aqueduct in Breakwater have prompted Barwon Water to apply to remove part of the 756m heritage-listed structure.
The water authority had applied to Heritage Victoria to remove part of the 103-year-old ovoid sewer aqueduct, it announced on Wednesday.
“We have investigated all possible options for improving, stopping or slowing the aqueduct’s natural degradation, particularly across the river,” Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said.
“But technical advice has made it clear that it is simply not viable from a safety and cost perspective.
“We believe the best option is to remove several spans across the river so that people enjoying the river and its surrounds can do so safely, without the risk of falling concrete from the structure.”
The application comes after the Independent in 2017 revealed State Government plans to develop the area into 66 hectares of public parkland around the structure.
The aqueduct allowed Geelong’s first main outfall sewer pipe to cross over the Barwon River from 1916 to 1992.
Authorities had prohibited access under the structure – both on land and water – since 1995 due to the risk of falling concrete.
The structure had been in “deteriorating condition” since the 1970s, according to Barwon Water.
Barwon Water is seeking to remove five of 14 aqueduct spans over and immediately adjacent to the river on the north bank, as a first step in the parkland project.
The authority will engage Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and seek input from all other interested stakeholders to develop a final plan for the land, according to Ms Slatter.
The majority of the aqueduct structure would remain, behind “improved and more aesthetically-pleasing fencing” to prevent people from climbing on or under it, she said.
Ms Slatter said Barwon Water would like the eventual outcome to recognise the history and stories of the aqueduct.
Heritage Victoria will advertise the submission in the media and publish it on its website, according Barwon Water.
