Yan Yean Water Supply System Conservation Management Plan
The Yan Yean Water Supply System Conservation Management Plan 2007 provides plain-english policies and guidelines to assist Melbourne Water conserve and manage the significant heritage values of the Yan Yean system while enabling it to remain a functioning part of Melbourne’s water supply. The CMP considers both functioning and de-commissioned aspects of the system and combines careful conservation with managed change where required to continue the safe and efficient operation of the system.
The Yan Yean water supply system, constructed in stages between 1853 and 1890 was Melbourne’s first engineered water supply system and one of the first in Australia. It was innovative as one of the first examples of a remote gravity-fed water supply in the world. It was visionary in its scope and of critical importance in the development of Melbourne in the wake of the gold rush. Originally designed to serve 200,000 people it was expanded to cater for over 480, 000 people and remained the primary water supply for Melbourne until the first stage of the Maroondah Scheme came on-line in 1891. The most remarkable aspect of the Yan Yean system is that much of the historically significant infrastructure is still in use today – and for its original purpose – supplying drinking water to Melbourne.
The CMP is believed to be the first in Victoria that has been prepared for a large scale infrastructure system that is still in operation. As such, it serves as a model not only for other water supply systems managed by Melbourne Water and other water authorities, but also for other large scale public infrastructure such as railways, sewerage, or irrigation systems.
The policies contained in the CMP are the result of extensive consultation with key stakeholders including the various teams within Melbourne Water who have responsibility for managing and operating the system. Heritage Victoria was also closely involved in the process and this has led to a strengthening of their relationship with Melbourne Water and laid the foundation for further joint studies such as the Victorian Water Supply Heritage Study.
Context’s approach to the project recognised that it was important to consider the Yan Yean system as an integrated whole rather than a series of separate parts. Taking a ‘whole of system’ approach was also consistent with the management philosophy of Melbourne Water and this philosophy extended to the development of policies and recommendations for a ‘whole of government’ approach to recognising, celebrating and protecting the values of the Yan Yean system.
Another feature of the project was the use of the HERMES database developed by Heritage Victoria. This was one of the first times that HERMES had been used ‘live’ during a heritage study by an external organisation and it will facilitate exchange of knowledge about the heritage values of the Yan Yean system between Melbourne Water, Heritage Victoria and the wider community.
The CMP was recognised for its innovation and applicability by the Planning Institute of Australia, winning the inaugural Heritage category at the 2007 Victorian Division awards.
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