Barwon Water marks service milestone by preparing for the future

For 150 years, service basins at Lovely Banks have been central to the supply of water to this region.

They have served as a conduit between the Lower Stony Creek Reservoir – where Australia’s first concrete dam was built in 1874 – and the residential population of Geelong.

The first Lovely Banks basin has been servicing Geelong’s residents since 1874, helping balance the flow as water is moved from the Brisbane Ranges, north-west of Geelong, to the ever-growing city.

In the same period, a caretaker’s cottage was built on the Anakie Road site, to house the employee tasked with ensuring the smooth running of the facility.

The first basin keeper, a Mr Treyvaud, lived on site with his family until the 1890s, becoming a pillar of what was then a distinct and separate community in Lovely Banks.

As Geelong’s population increased and demand rose, additional basins were built in 1911 and 1926.

The original cottage was last used in 1956, replaced by a larger house within the basin site. The role of a basin keeper has since been usurped by remote monitoring.

However, Barwon Water is keen for the original cottage to again be an operational base.

The exterior of the heritage-protected building has been structurally restored, with plans to fit out the interior to use it as an office.

Barwon Water Acting General Manager Planning, Delivery & Environment Scott Cavanagh said the works celebrated the site’s rich past, but also recognised its value to future generations.

“The restoration of the cottage recognises the heritage of the site, and the wider infrastructure that has helped provide 150 years of drinking water supply to the region.

“We also want to use the building again as an operator’s office, given it is well placed to support the next wave of growth areas in Geelong’s north and west.”

Barwon Water hosted community guests at Lovely Banks last month, to celebrate the site’s continuous service and to tour the range of facilities.

The original caretaker’s cottage sits between the first three storage basins, while the original 1870’s lime house and valve house are also still there.

As part of the sesquicentenary commemoration, Barwon Water recognised Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ ongoing connection to Country.

A Wadawurrung site cleansing ceremony, carried out by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Ngarrwa Officer Ash Skinner, preceded the guests’ tour.

“It was a unique opportunity to provide a smoking ceremony for an old cottage on top of the Barrabool (many rolling hills), a place that holds many stories for both Wadawurrung history and Barwon Water history,” he said.

Alongside its 150 years of service in supplying water from the Moorabool catchment, the Lovely Banks storage basins are now also the connection point for the Melbourne to Geelong pipeline.

The 59-kilometre underground pipe runs from Cowies Hill, west of Werribee to Lovely Banks.

Barwon Water’s Strategic Projects Coordinator Tony Belcher and Lara Heritage & Historical Inc member Dorothy Altmann view the Lovely Banks service basins site.