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Creeks and Channels Heritage Precinct

Location

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

(AHC criteria D.2, G.1). The substantially intact network of many lineal kilometres of timber, bluestone, brick, and concrete lined channels, along with the associated bluestone and brick culverts, associated bridges with wrought iron or steel lattice girder balustrades and bluestone abutments, wing walls, piers and parapets, and the associated early concrete or steel lattice girder footbridges demonstrate important visual qualities that are integrally associated with the urban cultural landscape of Ballarat city. Views along, across, and/or adjacent to almost every part of this network can be gained from innumerable vantage points throughout the city, and are particularly noticeable as one traverses the many bridges that cross the channels. The conspicuous bluestone parapet walls to the many culverts also form notable features along the edges of many city streets. The distinctive brick ventilation shaft at the intersection of Creswick Road and Doveton Street North is also aesthetically significant and is an important urban landmark. The extensive network of channels and associated structures is also a cultural landscape within itself and as such is unique in the State of Victoria.

The Creek and River Channels Precinct is historically and scientifically significant at a STATE level (AHC criterion A4, B2, D2 and F1). The transformation from the 1860s to the 1930s of many natural waterways into the present network of channels and associated structures by the two municipalities of Ballaarat East and West was a direct result of gold mining activities, which formed the basis for the establishment and development of Ballarat from the early 1850s, as well as the impetus to the development and growth of Victoria in conjunction with other goldfields. The present courses of the channels demonstrate the urgent need at a very early date to repair the damage done by gold mining activities to the natural drainage lines of the creeks, which led to the formation of lined sludge channels. The subsequent permanent lining of the channels demonstrates the need of a growing city to establish an infrastructure of durable engineering works for sanitary and stormwater drainage requirements and to mitigate flooding. The variety of structural materials used also provide a rare example, over an extensive area, of the historical development in the use of materials and technology for this type of engineering infrastructure, and of the excellence of traditional craftsmanship.

Overall, the Creek and River Channels Precinct is of STATE significance.

Group

Utilities - Drainage

Category

Other - Utilities - Drainage