WILLIAMSTOWN WHEAT SILOS
6-18 BATTERY ROAD WILLIAMSTOWN, HOBSONS BAY CITY
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Statement of Significance
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WILLIAMSTOWN WHEAT SILOS - History
Since the inception of the bulk wheat industry in the 1880s, Breakwater and Gellibrand Piers were used to export bagged wheat received via rail networks from the state's western districts. From 1910 onwards, Geelong began to agitate for increased wheat exports to be based at that port, and incentives were offered by Victorian Railways Commissioners to use local ports instead of delivering exports to Williamstown.
The new method of transporting grain loosely in bulk had been introduced in NSW around the turn of the century, but it was not until the mid 1920s that a Victorian Government appointed board recommended the construction of grain elevators around the state. Metcalf and Company had previously suggested that the area behind the Timeball Tower would be a suitable site for bulk grain silos in 1918. With the movement towards bulk grain handling in the 1930s, the Grain Elevator Board finally began work on the silos in 1937/38, when the foundations were excavated and poured. The silos were to be linked to a grain loading facility on Gellibrand Pier via an elevated conveyor belt. The complex never eventuated as the site was abandoned in favour of a similar grain bulk handling facility at Geelong. The site was later used during WWII as air raid bunkers, and had a first aid centre located there (Leak, pers comms).
WILLIAMSTOWN WHEAT SILOS - Interpretation of Site
Only the concrete base of the wheat silos are extant, and dates to the original period of construction from 1937. This is the only partially extant example of a 1930' s wheat silo in on the Melbourne waterfront.
Heritage Inventory Description
WILLIAMSTOWN WHEAT SILOS - Heritage Inventory Description
The silo bases are still visible. The structure consist of two rows of concrete box-like structures (with openings on one side of each box) with a central culvert running between them. They are approximately 65 x 40 x 2m high.
Silos
Archeological Potential:
Excellent - inspected 1/4/03
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FORMER MORGUEVictorian Heritage Register H1512
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0487
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