Stony Creek Reservoir System
2830 Geelong - Ballan Road, DURDIDWARRAH VIC 3342 - Property No 33800090
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir system is situated on allotment 68 within the nominal township of Durdidwarrah. The reservoir system comprises the Stony Creek Reservoir No. 1, Stony Creek Reservoir No. 2 and Stony Creek Reservoir No. 3, the former caretaker's residence, timber workers hut and maintenance sheds. The reservoir system was constructed over three stages beginning in 1870 until 1919 to provide a permanent water source to the emerging colonial settlement of Geelong. Stony Creek Reservoir No.1 was designed by Henry O. Christopherson the Victorian Engineer in Chief of Water Supply and featured an earthen embankment across Stony Creek to form the water storage dam, a large pre-fabricated cast-iron outlet tower manufactured by Langlands Foundry Co., maintenance facilities and a caretakers residence. A Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) plantation, established in the early 20th century to protect the catchment area and for future harvest is situated around the south and west perimeter of the Stony Creek Reservoir No. 1. In 1914 and 1918 the Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust constructed two additional reservoirs, No.2 and No. 3, to meet Geelong's growing demand for fresh water. The earthfilled, clay core dams were designed by engineer James Sharland and significantly increased the Stony Creek systems water storage capacities. In 1998 a new pipe line was constructed to divert water from the Stony Creek Reservoir system to a new treatment plant located at She Oaks. As a result, the Stony Creek to Anakie water works were decommissioned. The Stony Creek Reservoir No.1 outlet tower was dismantled and relocated to the Jack Dillion Reserve in 2000. The reserve features interpretive signage illustrating the historical development of the Stony Creek Reservoir System.
How is it significant?
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir System is of aesthetic, architectural (engineering), and historical significance to the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir System and its associated infrastructure (including the
Stony Creek Reservoir No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, former caretakers residence, timber workers hut and water outlet towers are of architectural (engineering) significance as the first large scale water supply scheme built to serve the rural city of Geelong. It is also of architectural (engineering) significance for representing the work of prominent engineers Henry O. Christopherson and James Sharland.
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir System is of aesthetic significance for its picturesque setting adjacent to the Brisbane Ranges National Park and for the native and Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) plantations located within the reserve.
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir System is of historical significance for representing the aspirations and engineering skills of the Geelong Geelong Water Commission and later the Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust in securing a permanent water supply of the rural city of Geelong.
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Stony Creek Reservoir System - Physical Description 1
The Upper Stony Creek Reservoir system is situated on allotment 68 within the nominal township of Durdidwarrah, 42 km northwest of Geelong. The reservoir system is situated either side of the Geelong Ballan Road, adjacent to the Brisbane Ranges National Park.
It comprises the Stony Creek Reservoir No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, former caretaker's residence, timber workers hut and maintenance sheds. Stony Creek reservoir No. 1 was constructed in 1870 to a design by Henry O. Christopherson the Victorian Engineer in Chief of Water Supply. The reservoir is situated on the northern side of Geelong Ballan Road, adjacent to the Jack Dillon Memorial Reserve. Prior to 2001, the large pre-fabricated cast-iron outlet tower was located within the reservoir and stood approximately 26.6 metres tall, mounted on a masonry base. The tower was manufactured in 1869-1870 by Langlands Foundry Co and features an octagonal shaft, winch room with exterior cladding of corrugated cast iron with cast iron pilasters, ogee profile roof, and decorative cast iron balustrade (National Trust citation). The water tower was decommissioned in 2000, however two small sections featuring approximately 4.25 metres of the original tower and a section featuring the winch room approximately 7.5 metres tall, have been relocated to the Jack Dillon reserve. The reserve features interpretive signage illustrating the historical development of the Stony Creek Reservoir System.
Stony Creek Reservoir No. 2 and No. 3 were designed by the Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust engineer James Sharland in 1914 and 1918 respectively. The dams are situated on the southern side of the Geelong Ballan Road. Stony Creek Reservoir No. 2 tower features a rendered concrete castellated outlet tower, with decorative column and arch molding, situated on the north eastern bank of the reservoir. Stony Creek Reservoir No. 3 tower features a similar rendered concrete castellated outlet tower, with a single small circular timber window. The tower is accessed from the north bank of the reservoir, along a concrete boardwalk with a steel balustrade.
The former caretaker's residence is located at 2830 Geelong Ballan Road Durdidwarrah, adjacent to Stony Creek Reservoir No.1. The cottage was constructed in the 1870s of cement rendered stone with a weatherboard skillion featuring a red brick chimney, located at the rear. The windows of the front rooms are paired double hung sashes with basalt sills, set between with a recessed four panel front door, with a glass transom window. A single rendered brick chimney protrudes from the medium pitched corrugated iron roof. The timber and corrugated iron verandah runs along the front of the facade and is supported by four timber posts, with two simple timber floating screens enclosing the verandah to the south and north. The caretaker's residence is in good condition and retains a high degree of integrity.
The workers hut is situated approx. 15 meters to south of the caretaker's residence. The prefabricated hut is timber clad with two red brick chimneys protruding from a corrugated iron roof. It features a single six pane casement window and timber door on the east elevation, a single pane casement window on the south and western elevation, and a red brick chimney on the north elevation.
Stony Creek Reservoir System - Historical Australian Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of the Stony Creek Reservoir.
3 Developing Local, Regional And National Economies
3.11 Altering the environment
3.11.1 Regulating waterways
3.11.5 Establishing water supplies
4 Building Settlements Towns And Cities
4.2 Supplying urban services (power,
transport, fire prevention, roads,
water, light and sewerage)
Stony Creek Reservoir System - Physical Description 2
Extent of registration: Upper Stony Creek Reservoir system to the extent of the rendered concrete castellated outlet towers situated in the Stony Creek Reservoir No. 2 and No. 3 being Allotment 66, Parish of Moreep and the pre-fabricated cast-iron outlet tower located in the Jack Dillon Memorial Reserve, the former 1870s caretaker's residence and the pre fabricated former workers cottages being Allotment 68, Parish of Moreep.
The extent excludes the brick veneer house, maintenance sheds and the water storage facilities ie. reservoirs no 1, no 2 and no 3.
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 1
Author: Lorraine Huddle P/L
Year: 2003
Grading: Local
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UPPER STONY CREEK RESERVOIRSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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Stony Creek Reservoir SystemGolden Plains Shire
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