HO134 - Water Reserve, Beattys Road - 660A Beattys Road, Bonnie Brook

The water reserve (land) adjoining the east side of Kororoit Creek, north of Beattys Road and including the dry stone wall on the north-eastern side. The reserve (landscape) is located at the important Beattys Road crossing of Kororoit Creek.

The relatively flat parcel of land is located close to the ruins of the former Rockbank Inn and has a rural context. Temporarily reserved in 1876, the site remains undeveloped and includes a small number of trees. It has an approximate area of 7 hectares.

How is it significant?

The Beattys Road water reserve is of local historical significance to the City of Melton.

Why is it significant?

Historically the Beattys Road water reserve is significant as a place that was set aside when the Village Reserve adjoining Kororoit Creek was subdivided into smaller lots during the 1870s. It is historically associated with both Beattys Road, which was once part of an early route used by diggers travelling between Melbourne and Ballarat, and the nearby Rockbank Inn, which accommodated some of these travellers.

More broadly, land for water reserves was set aside across the dry plains of the Melton area to support both smaller local farmers and travellers with stock by providing access to watercourses which had otherwise been largely restricted though private ownership. The reserve on Beattys Road is one of only a few identified rural water reserves that remain in the City of Melton. These water reserves were an important local resource in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The drystone wall located on the north-east side of the reserve also reflects the early practices of private landowners on Melbourne's western plains. (Criterion A)

Primary source

City of Melton Heritage Assessments Project 2018: Findings, RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants (November 2018)

Group

Farming and Grazing

Category

Other - Farming & Grazing