BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS
OLD BEECHY RAIL TRAIL BARONGAROOK, COLAC OTWAY SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS - History
A series ofland acts were passed in the 1860s in an attempt to create small farm holdings, whilst at the same time recognising the pioneering efforts of the squatters. Under the first land act, the 1860 Land Sales Act, three million acres were surveyed into allotments of between 80 to 640 acres. No person could select more than 640 acres annually, and the land had to be paid for outright, or half paid and half leased. Subsequently more land was made available for selection under the Land Act (1862) and the 1865 Amendment Act. Then in 1869, most land - including unsurveyed land - became available for selection under the Land Act. (Sheehan, 2003: 19) The Otway Ranges, in south west Victoria, were first opened to agricultural selection in 1884, under the Land Act 1884, when allotments were selected from pre survey maps prepared by the Lands Department (Minchinton 2011:2). Within ten years more than 200 allotments had been taken up (Houghton 2005: I). Yet it wasn't until the arrival of the railway, during the 1870s, that Victoria's isolated south western region was considered penetrable. Until this time, the Otway Ranges were virtually impassable and as such, were oflittle economic value. The introduction of the railway provided the first all weather, faSt and reliable transport service into the area, which as Houghton noted was 'characcerised by dense timber and high rainfall'
BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS - Interpretation of Site
Site is part of the former Co lac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway line. Closure of the line during the 1960s lead to the abandonment of the line and the removal of the railway and associated infrastructure. The original Barongarook water tank was moved to this location, at the bottom of the bank, during the 1920s, because the gradient was more favorable (see Houghton 2003:133). The only other water tank is located at Dinmont, and it still remains standing. The ash heap is associated with the Barongarook water tank. Locomotives that would have regularly stopped for water at the Barongarook water tank and cleared ash whilst filling water.
BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS - Archaeological Significance
Low potential to contain archaeological deposits.
BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS - Historical Significance
The remains of the Barongarook water tank and the boiler ash heaps are of historical significance for their association with the development of the Colac-Beech Forest- Crowes railway line and the opening up of the Otway region.
Heritage Inventory Description
BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPS - Heritage Inventory Description
The site consists of six concrete and metal circular tank footings/pads and one boiler ash heap associated with the former Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway line. Each pad measures 60cm in diameter and embedded into the ground, with each containing two bolts. These six footings create a circular feature, approximately 2m in diameter. The ash heap runs parallel to the former railway. It is located 4m south of the tank footings, covered in vegetation and measures 13m X 5m.
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BARONGAROOK WATER TANK AND ASSOCIATED BOILER ASH HEAPSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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