BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIR
5 BEECH FOREST-LAVERS HILL ROAD BEECH FOREST, COLAC OTWAY SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIR - 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 halfleased. 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 J 884, when allotments were selected from pre survey maps prepared by the Lands Deparunent (Minchinton 20 11 :2). Within ten years more than 200 allotments had been taken up (Houghton 2005: 1). 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 oflime economic value. The introduction of the railway provided the first all weather, F..st and reliable transport service into the area, which as Houghton noted was' characterised by dense timber and high rainfall'
BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIR - Interpretation of Site
Site is part of the former Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway line, with the mile stone indicating the distance from Melbourne. Closure of the line during the 1960s lead to the abandonment of the line and the removal of the railway and associated infrastructure. The servicing of the locomotives and the line meant that fixtures and other infrastructure were developed long its length, these included water points, coal storage, signals, distance markers, stopping places and a telephone line. Water points were located at Barongarook, Gellibrand, Wimba, Dinmont, Beech Forest, Kincaid and Crowes, and these comprised weirs or pumps, concrete reservoirs, piping and elevated banks.
BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIR - Archaeological Significance
Low potential to contain archaeological deposits.
Heritage Inventory Description
BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIR - Heritage Inventory Description
The site consists of a water race (top side drain) and a collection weir constructed as a part of the former Colac-Beech Forest-Crowesrailway Line.The water race runs parallel, northern side at the top of the cutting, to the former railway formation. Its length is unknown, as it is covered in thick vegetation and filled with leaf little in parts. The topside drain has been cut directly into the soil. The weir is located at the eastern end of the water race. It appears to be cut directly into the ground. 12m X 8m. Depth unknown.
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BEECH FOREST WATER RACE AND COLLECTION WEIRVictorian Heritage Inventory
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Beech Forest WWII MemorialVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Beech Forrest Honour Roll (First World War)Vic. War Heritage Inventory
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