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COLIBAN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Location TYLDEN TO BIG HILL, MACEDON RANGES SHIRE, HEPBURN SHIRE, MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE, GREATER BENDIGO CITY File Number 605361 Level Registered

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Statement of Significance

* The Coliban water supply system is a historically important engineering system designed to bring water to the City of Bendigo which commenced operation in 1877. The Coliban water supply system is still essentially operating in the manner that was first proposed by Joseph Brady in 1862.

* The Coliban system is one of the earliest water supply system in the state. It is a vast, gravity operated, open channel water supply system which supplied water for both domestic and irrigation purposes.

* It demonstrates significant technical accomplishment though the engineers who, over a period of eleven years between 1866 and 1877, overcame some major technical difficulties in bringing the Coliban system into operation. This water system is particularly interesting as the construction was commenced without adequate investigation and planning yet is still functional in the 1990s.

* The system is important for the role that it has played firstly in maintaining Bendigo as a major mining centre, and then in ensuring its future as a major regional centre.

* The Coliban water supply system, through a secure supply of water, has a strong association with the Bendigo - Castlemaine region for nearly 120 years.

* Its development demonstrates an association with the following significant people: Joseph Brady, the engineer, James Forrestre Sullivan (MCA Mandurang, Minister for Mines, C.1862-1866) and Angus Mackay (MCA Sandhurst, Minister for Mines, 1869).

* It demonstrates some fine examples of craftsmanship and skill expanding evident in those structures that are still operating effectively today:
Malmsbury reservoir embankment, the Malmsbury outlet tunnel the inlet and outlet structures of the back creek syphon, the faul structures, the five large tunnels, the expedition pass reservoir embankment, the Barkers Creek reservoir embankment and outlet tower, and the aqueduct system.

* The system contains a vast collection of structures of varying standards of sophistication which collectively reflect how the system has been modified over time. The abutments and foundations of the flumes which still exist along the aqueduct are important artefacts of the earlier methods used for transporting water through difficult terrain.