AUSTRALIAN PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS SWITCH YARD
50 HYLAND STREET FYANSFORD, GREATER GEELONG CITY
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Statement of Significance
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AUSTRALIAN PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS SWITCH YARD - History
The original works operated from 1890 to 1912 on the south side of Hyland Street. Initially, five vertical kilns and a boiler house were built and connected to a large single brick flue, on the hillside with a tall 46m brick chimney. The layout was arranged to take advantage of the steep escarpment. The land was leased from the Government until purchased in 1930. The company was liquidated in 1905 and purchased by Peter McCann and others. In 1913 as the plant reached output of 15,000 tons, the Board decided to order and construct a new kiln and plant. They also decided to chafe to a 'wet process' (using west slurry instead of dry powder) and the first rotary kiln was built. No 2 kiln measuring 141 ft long was ordered from Krupp in Germany in 1914. To facilitate production a new raw mill and slurry basin were built, storage facilities, pumps, elevators, piping network, aerial ropeway and a power station. From 1924 the second plant, on the north side of Hyland St was established. This plant was expanded and upgraded several times, including the construction of No. 4 kiln, imported from Denmark to lift annual production from 80,000 to 130,000 tons. The No. 4 Raw Mill was installed in 1925 and NO. 5 in 1926. Additional storage areas served by an overhead crane were constructed, mill house built, slurry feed lines and clinker removal systems arranged. A number of dwellings within the township were acquired and demolished to make way for the expanding plant. During 1958 and 1968 3 reinforced concrete kiln stacks were built. The plant continued operation until 2001 when concrete manufactured in Asia flooded the market. The plant was then demolished and some remediation works began. In 2004, the 3 kilns were demolished using explosives and a 160 tonne excavator, watched by locals from the surrounding area.AUSTRALIAN PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS SWITCH YARD - Archaeological Significance
This place has been identified as having high archaeological sensitivity, however the archaeological significance at this point is unknown (Hewitt et.al 2014: 129). Further archaeological assessment is required to determine the nature and integrity of deposits and features in order to assess the archaeological significance.
AUSTRALIAN PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS SWITCH YARD - Historical Significance
The site is historically significant for its associations with the township of Fyansford and Geelong and ties to those communities. The production of cement at this place represents one of Geelong's oldest and largest industrial plants, in operation for over 100 years. It is also significant for its evolution of the production of Portland cement for over 100 years.
Heritage Inventory Description
AUSTRALIAN PORTLAND CEMENT WORKS SWITCH YARD - Heritage Inventory Description
The entrance of a former cement works utility tunnel is visible. It extends under Hyland Street. This tunnel probably dates post 1924. This place is referred to as SWS_29 in Hewitt et. al 2014.
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OLD SWAN INNVictorian Heritage Register H0267
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BRIDGEVictorian Heritage Register H1108
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FYANSFORD HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H0744
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