Recommendation of the Executive Director and

assessment of cultural heritage significance under

Division 3 of the Heritage Act 2017

Name Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Location Banksia Street, Heidelberg and Manningham Road, Bulleen
Banyule City, Manningham City
Hermes Number 200671
Heritage Overlay Number No Heritage Overlay

Banksia Street Pipe Bridge (October 2017)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL:

• That the place NOT be included in the Victorian Heritage Register under Section 37(1)(b) of the
Heritage Act 2017.
• The Heritage Council may wish to consider exercising its powers under s.49(1)(c) of the
Heritage Act 2017 to refer the recommendation to Banyule City Council and Manningham City
Council for inclusion in the local Heritage Overlay.

STEVEN AVERY
Executive Director
Recommendation Date: 17 November 2017
This recommendation report has been issued by the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria under s.37 of the Heritage Act 2017. It has
not been considered or endorsed by the Heritage Council of Victoria.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 EXTENT OF NOMINATION
Date that the nomination was accepted by the Executive Director
23 May 2017

Written extent of nomination

All of the place known as the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge bounded in red in Attachment 1.

Nomination extent diagram

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSE SUMMARY
It is the view of the Executive Director that this place should not be included in the Victorian Heritage
Register (VHR) for the reasons outlined in this report.

The information presented in this report demonstrates that the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge may be of
potential local significance, rather than State level significance. Heritage Council may wish to refer the
recommendation and submissions to the relevant planning authorities (Banyule City, Manningham City) for
consideration for an amendment to a planning scheme; or determine that it is more appropriate for steps to
be taken under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 or by any other means to protect or conserve the
place.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 RECOMMENDATION REASONS
REASONS FOR NOT RECOMMENDING INCLUSION IN THE VICTORIAN HERITAGE REGISTER [s.34A(2)]
Following is the Executive Director's assessment of the place against the tests set out in The Victorian
Heritage Register Criteria and Thresholds Guidelines (2014).

CRITERION A
Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION A

The place/object has a CLEAR ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement,
custom or way of life in Victoria’s cultural history.
Plus
The association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the
place/object and/or in documentary resources or oral history.
Plus
The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to
Victoria.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge has an association with the supply of water to the eastern suburbs of
Melbourne in the late nineteenth century. This association is evident in the physical fabric of the place and
in documentary resources. The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge was constructed in 1891 as part of a secondary
water distribution system which connected the growing middle suburbs to the earlier Yan Yean Water
Supply System (VHR H2333). It was not part of the Yan Yean system, but part of a new network which
provided water to localised service reservoirs throughout the expanding middle suburbs of Melbourne.

Criterion A is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION A
The place/object allows the clear association with the event, phase etc. of historical importance to be
UNDERSTOOD BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PLACES OR OBJECTS IN VICTORIA WITH SUBSTANTIALLY THE
SAME ASSOCIATION.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge was part of a secondary water distribution network, specifically designed to
service the eastern suburbs. It is now a fragment of the former network and does not allow the historical
process of water supply to be understood better than most other places in Victoria with substantially the
same association. There are other water supply systems in the VHR which more readily demonstrate the
end to end process of water supply. These include the Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333) and the
Coliban Water Supply System (VHR H1021). The Maroondah Water Supply System (PROV H2381), which was
recommended by the Executive Director for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register on 22 September
2017 also more readily demonstrates the end to end process of water supply.

Criterion A is not likely to be satisfied at the State level.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 CRITERION B
Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION B

The place/object has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase, period, process, function, movement,
custom or way of life of importance in Victoria’s cultural history.
Plus
The association of the place/object to the event, phase, etc IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the
place/object and/or in documentary resources or oral history.
Plus
The place/object is RARE OR UNCOMMON, being one of a small number of places/objects remaining that
demonstrates the important event, phase etc.
OR
The place/object is RARE OR UNCOMMON, containing unusual features of note that were not widely
replicated
OR
The existence of the class of place/object that demonstrates the important event, phase etc is
ENDANGERED to the point of rarity due to threats and pressures on such places/objects.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge does not possess uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s
cultural history. The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge is a Warren truss structure. The truss system has been used
in the design of many bridges in Victoria including Victoria Street Bridge (VHR H0374) which features a
Warren truss; the Chandler Highway Bridge (VHR H2354) which features a lattice truss; and the Murrindal
River Truss Bridge (VHR H2311) which features a Howe truss. There are also other water supply systems in
the VHR which contain bridges and pipes similar to the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge. These are the Yan Yean
Water Supply System (VHR H2333) and the Coliban Water Supply System (VHR H1021). The Maroondah
Water Supply System (PROV H2381) also contains these elements.

Criterion B is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION C
Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION C

The:
• visible physical fabric; &/or
• documentary evidence; &/or
• oral history,
relating to the place/object indicates a likelihood that the place/object contains PHYSICAL EVIDENCE of
historical interest that is NOT CURRENTLY VISIBLE OR UNDERSTOOD.
Plus
From what we know of the place/object, the physical evidence is likely to be of an INTEGRITY and/or
CONDITION that it COULD YIELD INFORMATION through detailed investigation.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge does not have the potential to yield information that is not currently visible
or understood (such as archaeological information) that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s
cultural history. There are water supply systems and bridges which were constructed earlier than and

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 contemporaneously with the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge, using similar methods and materials. These places
are well researched and documented. It is unlikely that further investigation of the Banksia Street Pipe
Bridge will yield new information.

Criterion C is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION D
Importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural places and objects.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION D

The place/object is one of a CLASS of places/objects that has a clear ASSOCIATION with an event, phase,
period, process, function, movement, important person(s), custom or way of life in Victoria’s history.
Plus
The EVENT, PHASE, etc is of HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, having made a strong or influential contribution to
Victoria.
Plus
The principal characteristics of the class are EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge is an example of the class of ‘pipe bridges within water supply systems’ and
has an association with the supply of water to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The place displays some of the
principal characteristics of the class including the wrought iron pipe or main, the Warren truss support
structure, and cast iron and brick piers.

Criterion D is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION D
The place/object is a NOTABLE EXAMPLE of the class in Victoria (refer to Reference Tool D).

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge not a notable example of a pipe bridge in Victoria. Earlier and more intact
complete water supply systems survive in Victoria including the Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333)
the Coliban Water Supply System (VHR H1021) and the Maroondah Water Supply System (PROV H2381).
These systems are all more intact and include pipe bridges and individual infrastructure elements with a
larger interpretive context.

Criterion D is not likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION E
Importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION E

The PHYSICAL FABRIC of the place/object clearly exhibits particular aesthetic characteristics.

Executive Director’s Response

The aesthetic characteristics of the place lie in its robust industrial appearance achieved through the Warren
truss structure and mains pipe supported by brick and wrought iron piers with riveted joints. Its setting
above the Yarra River with vegetated banks on either side contributes to its aesthetic qualities.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 Criterion E is likely to be satisfied.

STEP 2: A BASIC TEST FOR DETERMINING STATE LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE FOR CRITERION E
The aesthetic characteristics are APPRECIATED OR VALUED by the wider community or an appropriately-
related discipline as evidenced, for example, by:
• critical recognition of the aesthetic characteristics of the place/object within a relevant art, design,
architectural or related discipline as an outstanding example within Victoria; or
• wide public acknowledgement of exceptional merit in Victoria in medium such as songs, poetry,
literature, painting, sculpture, publications, print media etc.

Executive Director’s Response

The aesthetic characteristics of the place are appreciated and valued by some sections of the community,
but there has been no critical recognition or wide public acknowledgement of exceptional merit in Victoria.

Criterion E is not likely to be satisfied at the State level.

CRITERION F
Importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION F

The place/object contains PHYSICAL EVIDENCE that clearly demonstrates creative or technical
ACHIEVEMENT for the time in which it was created.
Plus
The physical evidence demonstrates a HIGH DEGREE OF INTEGRITY.

Executive Director’s Response

The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge does not contain physical evidence that clearly demonstrates creative or
technical achievement for the time in which it was created. Other bridges, water supply systems and
infrastructure projects constructed at a similar period contain similar physical evidence including the use of
truss systems and wrought iron pipes.

Criterion F is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION G
Strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual
reasons. This includes the significance of a place to indigenous people as part of their continuing and
developing cultural traditions.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION G

Evidence exists of a DIRECT ASSOCIATION between the place/object and a PARTICULAR COMMUNITY OR
CULTURAL GROUP.
(For the purpose of these guidelines, ‘COMMUNITY or CULTURAL GROUP’ is defined as a sizable group of
persons who share a common and long-standing interest or identity).
Plus
The ASSOCIATION between the place/object and the community or cultural group is STRONG OR SPECIAL, as
evidenced by the regular or long-term use of/engagement with the place/object or the enduring
ceremonial, ritual, commemorative, spiritual or celebratory use of the place/object.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 Executive Director’s Response
There is no direct association between the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge and a particular community or cultural
group.

Criterion G is not likely to be satisfied.

CRITERION H
Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s
history.

STEP 1: A BASIC TEST FOR SATISFYING CRITERION H

The place/object has a DIRECT ASSOCIATION with a person or group of persons who have made a strong or
influential CONTRIBUTION to the course of Victoria’s history.
Plus
The ASSOCIATION of the place/object to the person(s) IS EVIDENT in the physical fabric of the place/object
and/or in documentary resources and/or oral history.
Plus
The ASSOCIATION:
• directly relates to ACHIEVEMENTS of the person(s) at, or relating to, the place/object; or
• relates to an enduring and/or close INTERACTION between the person(s) and the place/object.

Executive Director’s Response

There is no direct association between the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge and any person or group of persons
who have made a strong or influential contribution to the course of Victoria’s history. The network was
designed by William Davidson of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW), however his
achievements are better demonstrated and understood at other places including the Yan Yean Water Supply
System (VHR H2333), for which he was responsible from 1878 and the Maroondah Water Supply System
(PROV H2381) which he designed in the early 1880s.

Criterion H is not likely to be satisfied.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE [s.34A(2)(d)]
The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge is significant as a good and intact example of a nineteenth century Warren
truss bridge conveying a mains pipe across a waterway, but not at State level.

RELEVANT INFORMATION
Local Government Authority Banyule City, Manningham City
Heritage Overlay No
Other Overlays Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2) Manningham City
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register No

HISTORY
Melbourne’s first water supply system, the Yan Yean Water Supply System was completed in 1857. It was
critical to the development of Melbourne in the gold rush period but by 1870 Melbourne’s population had
reached 200,000 which was the maximum that the Yan Yean system had been designed to serve.

During the 1880s Melbourne was rapidly expanding across elevated locations to the east and the Yan Yean
system had only been designed to provide water to the low lying areas of Melbourne. Development of these
new suburbs tended to precede water supply and in the 1880s, the only access to water in these areas was
from backyard wells or rainwater tanks. Throughout the 1880s, new water distribution systems slowly
expanded east through the construction of service reservoirs and a series of pipelines, or mains. In 1891 a
large, high level main, later known as M104, was constructed to transfer water from the Yan Yean system
via the Pipehead Reservoir at South Morang to the new service reservoir at Surrey Hills. Designed by William
Davidson of the MMBW, the system cost £190,000, and the Heidelberg Council was required to guarantee
6% return per annum. The system comprised a 32 inch (81.3 cm) wrought iron main extending over 10 miles
(16 km) and included the Banskia Street Pipe Bridge which carried the main over the Yarra River at
Heidelberg. The system is now decommissioned but the truss bridge and pipe remain.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
Designer’s name: William Davidson
Construction style: Warren truss
Construction started date: 1891
Construction ended date: 1891

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge is located adjacent to the Banksia Street road bridge and crosses the Yarra
River in an east-west direction. It comprises three primary spans across the centre and a minor span at
either end. All spans are load-bearing and of Warren truss design. As with all Warren truss structures each
span consists of longitudinal members joined by angled cross-members, forming alternate triangle spaces
along its length. The water main, or pipe, is of wrought iron with riveted joints and runs through the centre
of the structure. The spans are supported by wrought iron and brick piers.

INTEGRITY/INTACTNESS
Intactness – The intactness of the place is very good. All main elements of the place survive intact, with few
alterations. (October 2017).

Integrity – The integrity of the place is very good. The cultural heritage values of the place can be easily read
in the extant fabric. (October 2017).

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 CONDITION
The place is in good condition. Some corrosion of various components is evident, and slight movement in
the piers has been identified. The brick pier in particular is covered in a significant amount of graffiti.
(October 2017).

COMPARISONS
Individual water supply pipe bridges in the VHR
There are no individual water supply pipe bridges included in the VHR, but there are water supply pipe
bridges included in the VHR as part of more intact and complete water systems.

Water supply systems in the VHR

Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333)
The Yan Yean Water Supply System is of historic and technical significance to the State of Victoria. The Yan
Yean Water Supply System was constructed from 1853 to 1857 as the first large scale engineered water
supply system in Victoria. It consists of a series of catchment weirs and reservoirs connected by gravity
operated aqueducts and pipe track which extend from north of the Great Dividing Range to the Merri Creek.
The new water source reduced the incidence of disease in the first two decades of its operations, but the
system was plagued with problems of water quality and quantity. To overcome this, refinements were made
including the 1864 construction of a holding reservoir at Preston and the northern extension of the system
to harvest Wallaby Creek, Jacks Creek and Silver Creek. The 1886 construction of Toorourrong reservoir
allowed sediment from these sources to settle before water passed to Yan Yean Reservoir along the new
'Clearwater Channel', avoiding a polluted section of the Plenty River. In the same year, the catchments,
which were originally open, were closed to all activity except water harvesting. The Yan Yean Water Supply
System has been continually in use since it was established, but as a result of the addition of new systems in
the twentieth century it now supplies only a minor percentage of Melbourne's water. The Yan Yean Water
Supply System includes two pipe bridges over Darebin Creek, Thomastown and pipe bridge ruins at Merri
Creek, Preston.

Wallaby Creek Weir, part of the Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333)

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

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 Maroondah Water Supply System (PROV H2381)
The Maroondah Water Supply System is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It was constructed
between 1886 and 1891 and begins east of Healesville on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range
and ends at Junction Basin in Preston. The Maroondah Water Supply System comprises the closed Watts
River catchment, the Maroondah dam, reservoir and park, outlet tower, valve houses, weirs, aqueduct,
tunnels, siphons, pipes, drains, scours and bridges. Some of the pipes and siphons are wrought iron while
those installed at a later date are of cast iron. The Maroondah Water Supply System also contains a Warren
truss bridge which now supports a twentieth century water pipe across the Plenty River at Greensborough.
The aqueduct is no longer operational along the entire route but still demonstrates to entire process of
water supply.

Maroondah Water Supply System (PROV H2381)

Wrought iron riveted pipes (left and centre); Warren truss pipe bridge across Plenty River (right)

Non water supply Truss bridges in the VHR

Victoria Street Bridge (VHR H0374)
Victoria Bridge is of historical and technical significance to the State of Victoria. It formed an important link
in Melbourne's transport routes and its construction made Victoria Street/Barkers Road one of the principal
east west routes in Melbourne. The bridge is a rare example of a joint facility initiated by four councils and
reflects the importance of the bridge in facilitating travel and commerce between the industrial inner
suburbs and the more affluent eastern suburbs. Victoria Bridge is of historical significance for its association
with the early history of the tramway system in Melbourne. The 1890 and 1915 modifications of the bridge
and the ornamental overhead tramway gantries reflect the development of the tramway system. Victoria
Bridge is a Warren truss structure and is of scientific (technical) significance as one of a small group of
riveted truss bridges in Victoria and the first to overtly apply engineering theory to truss design. Its design
has associations with the contemporary debate on the relative values of theoretical and practical
engineering and reflects developments in the engineering discipline. The ornamental tramway overhead
gantries are of aesthetic significance for their sophisticated early 20th century ornamental design, now
relatively rare.

Victoria Street Bridge (VHR H0374)

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 Chandler Highway Bridge (VHR H2354)
The Chandler Highway Bridge is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It was completed in 1890
and is the most substantial extant engineering remnant of the Outer Circle Railway Line, the most ambitious
suburban line developed by the Victorian Government in the nineteenth century. It is a 137 metre wrought
iron lattice-truss girder railway bridge with four spans supported on red brick piers with moulded bluestone
cappings. The lattice truss bridge type is uncommon in Victoria. The bridge has a cantilevered walkway along
the west side and crosses the Yarra River connecting Alphington and Kew. The project attracted much public
controversy for government mismanagement and overspending, and was widely seen as a failure with much
of the infrastructure becoming redundant. The Chandler Highway Bridge remained open to pedestrian
traffic until 1930 when the railway line from the Bridge to Princess Street was dismantled. Chandler Highway
Bridge was converted to accommodate vehicular traffic in 1930 and became part of the road known as the
Chandler Highway. It remains in use for vehicular traffic and forms part of one of Melbourne's major arterial
roads. The particular design of the Chandler Highway Bridge represents a transitional stage between earlier
lattice truss bridges and the more mathematically derived open web trusses at the turn of the twentieth
century. The Chandler Highway Bridge is an outstanding and pivotal example of the lattice truss bridge form.

Chandler Highway Bridge (VHR H2354)

Murrindal River Truss Bridge (VHR H2311)

The Murrindal Bridge is of scientific (technological), historical and aesthetic significance to the State of
Victoria. It was built in 1927 and is of historical significance as a representative example of the types of
works funded by the Country Roads Board under the Development Roads Act (1918) which was designed to
provide improved access from remote areas to main roads and railways. The bridge and the associated
roadworks were a very substantial investment in a road which serviced a small and otherwise-isolated
hinterland consisting of The Basin and Jackson's Crossing. As such it is representative of the goals of the
Development Roads Act. The six-span Murrindal River bridge consists of five stringer approach spans of
thirty feet (9.1 m) and one eighty foot (24.5 m) timber Howe truss span of a standard CRB design. The
Murrindal River Truss Bridge is of scientific (technological) significance at a State level as one of only four
timber truss bridges remaining in the State. It is a rare and intact example of a timber Howe truss span made
to a standard Country Roads Board (CRB) design. The timber trestles supporting the truss and the girder

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 approach spans are supported on mass concrete piers. True timber trestles, as found here, are rare in
Victoria. The Murrindal Bridge is of aesthetic significance for its placement across a river in a striking high-
country landscape setting, in a steep-sided wooded valley and with an impressive hilly backdrop.

Murrindal River Truss Bridge (VHR H2311)

SUMMARY OF COMPARISONS
The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge was once part of a secondary distribution network designed to supply water
from the main Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333) to the new eastern suburbs. Many secondary
distribution networks were created in the late nineteenth century. The Banksia Street Pipe Bridge is a
remnant of the network and unlike the Yan Yean Water Supply System (VHR H2333) and the Maroondah
Water Supply System (PROV H2381), it only demonstrates a small part of the process of water supply. The
Banksia Street Pipe Bridge comprises a Warren truss structure and a wrought iron pipe, both of which can
be found in the Maroondah Water Supply System (PROV H2381).

There are many bridges in the VHR which utilise some form of truss design. Unlike the Banksia Street Pipe
Bridge, most of these examples incorporate rare or uncommon elements, are notable examples of their
class, or are also of historical and aesthetic significance.

KEY REFERENCES USED TO PREPARE ASSESSMENT

Context (2009) Water Supply Heritage Study Melbourne Water
Jacobs (2017) Conservation Management Plan M104 Banksia Street Pipe Bridge Yarra Valley Water

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

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 ADDITIONAL IMAGES

The location of the Banksia Street Pipe Bridge (outlined in red).

2017, Banksia Street Pipe Bridge from the 2017, Wrought iron piers supporting the truss and
western bank. wrought iron pipe above, western bank.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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 2017, Banksia Street Pipe Bridge from the 2017, Banksia Street Pipe Bridge from above,
eastern bank. eastern bank.

2017, Banksia Street Pipe Bridge from road level 2017, Banksia Street Pipe Bridge from road level
looking north east. looking west.

Name: Banksia Street Pipe Bridge

Hermes Number: 200671
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