MMBW Melbourne and metropolitan board of works

14/08/2024

SEWAGE ON TAP
As you prepare for Saturday morning, your flush will resonate the significance of a major yet unassuming milestone for Melbourne Water as indeed for the City of Melbourne.

The All England XI Hotel located on the corner of Princes and Rouse Streets in Port Melbourne, was the first property connected to the Boards Sewerage System on 17 August 1897.

The first connection ushered a new era of major sewerage infrastructure works that continues to this day, making Melbourne one of the most liveable cities in the world. The much needed system finally wrested the city from the tight grip of the typhoid and cholera that had plagued it for decades since the time of settlement.

The Hotel was demolished in 1953 to make way for a modest public housing complex. It too has since been demolished making way for an apartment building.

Heritage buffs can visit the location of the first flush and find a plaque commemorating the significance of the site mounted on the front wall of the current apartment building, all thanks to the enduring efforts the Port Melbourne Historical Society.

Nonetheless we remain undeturd in our pursuit of keeping our heritage alive!

19/05/2024

Flushed with Success!
The 19th May marks a significant milestone for Melbourne Water.

On this day in 1892, Lord Hopetoun was given the honour of turning the first sod of the trench for the Main Outfall Sewer.

His Excellency, in turning, nearly broke the handle of the spade which was of colonial blackwood, owing to not placing it in the spot which was already opened. The inscription on the spade read as follows:
"To His Excellency the Right Honorable John Adrian Louis, Earl of Hopetoun, &c., Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor of Victoria." "With this spade began the work of sewering Melbourne, the metropolis of the colony, by turning the first sod of the trench for the main outfall sewer at Wyndham, on the River Werribee, on the 19th day of May, 1892, in the fifty-fifth year of the gazetted existence of Melbourne and of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, whom God long preserve."

Be sure to reflect on this important milestone when next flushing the toilet!

23/04/2024

ANZAC DAY Lest We Forget

ANZAC 2024 is particularly special in the context of the middle east crisis and other longstanding points of conflict around the world that serve as a focal point for understanding the fragility of world peace.

Anzac Day holds special meaning to Melbourne Water through our predecessor, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW).

In response to the patriotic fervour that catapulted Australia to WWI, the MMBW answered the call to arms by drumming up volunteers at Head Office.

In recognition of their service and indeed sacrifice for the nation, the Board offered to make up the army wages of enlisted men to the level of their Board salary.

Australia’s response to WWII was far more sober than in 1914 and so too the Board’s response. The horrors of WWI were still fresh in many minds to allow any repeat of the naïve enthusiasms of 1914 that saw the Board become an unofficial recruiting agency.

Nevertheless, many of the younger staff enlisted. The Board again agreed to pay the difference between their Board and military salaries. Additionally, to protect their future prospects, all promotions in the Board made during the war would be temporary.

Anzac Day stands as a testament of our long standing place in community beyond our duty of providing essential services.

Their Service is our Legacy - ‘Lest we Forget’

14/03/2024

OUR FIRST WATER SUPPLY INCIDENT

Friday, 15th March marks a significant milestone for the business concerning water supply operations. On this day in 1878 the then Public Works Department experienced its first major water supply crisis involving the Yan Yean Aqueduct.

Late in the evening of Friday 15 March 1878, a violent storm brought heavy rain into the Plenty River catchment. The rapidly rising river was soon in flood and by early morning on 16 March problems quickly developed at the bluestone bridge, which carried the aqueduct over the Plenty River.

Overnight, a significant volume of debris had washed against the bridge causing it to collapse. All of a sudden, the Lifeblood of the City, had been severed.

Immediate steps were taken to build a temporary wooden flume with an army of workers despatched to undertake the repairs. Around the clock, workers diligently started to rebuild a temporary wooden crossing.

With three days of supply at Preston Reservoir, rationing was quickly introduced but to little avail, as panic soon set in with many filling whatever receptacles at their disposal, as reported in The Argus (19 March 1878):
In Melbourne and the suburbs yesterday afternoon the want of water began to be felt by those who, with less selfishness or prudence than their neighbours, had not taken the opportunity of drawing off a store on Saturday or Sunday. The lagoon at Albert-park was drawn on by residents of Emerald-hill; the small lakes in most of the public reserves were also besieged; and indeed every place where water had collected in any quantity, had its visitors with buckets and cans.

By the morning of Monday, 18 March, Preston Reservoir had been emptied although repair works were progressing well.

By Tuesday afternoon on 19 March 1878 the temporary flume had been completed, and the system back in service thanks to the tireless efforts of workers!
The present day flume was constructed in 1879 and decommissioned in 1960 with the Yan Yean aqueduct replaced with a pipeline crossing under the Plenty River.

The Yan Yean Water Supply system in its entirety is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

This story inspired the creation of the Footprints on the Landscape walking tour at Plenty Gorge Park.

14/03/2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELBOURNE WATER

Monday, 18th March (3:00pm to be precise) marks an auspicious occasion. So, let's take a stroll down memory lane.

Melbourne Water is successor to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) established in 1891. The Board held its first meeting on 18 March 1891 at 3:00pm effectively ‘open for business’. So what a good time to claim as our anniversary and place in the annals of history!

However, we must acknowledge a long line of predecessors to Melbourne Water and the Retail Water Companies:

PERIOD OF FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1860: CITY OF MELBOURNE & COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS & WATER SUPPLY
From its establishment in 1836, Melbourne drew its water supply direct from the Yarra River. Melbourne Town Council established in 1842, had formal responsibility for water supply and sewerage.
In 1853 the colonial government established the Commissioners of Sewers & Water Supply to take control of water supply functions. The Commissioners built the Yan Yean water supply but "shied away from building the more difficult and costly sewers".

PERIOD FROM 1860 TO 1891: MELBOURNE SEWERAGE & WATER SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
On 12 December 1859, the Board of Commissioners of Sewerage and Water Supply was dissolved and its powers and property vested in the Board of Lands and Works. Operationally, this responsibility was exercised by a branch of the Public Works Department known as the Melbourne Sewerage and Water Supply Department.

The Melbourne Sewerage and Water Supply Department initiated the expansion of the Yan Yean system north of the Great Dividing Range in the 1880s, harnessing the waters of Wallaby Creek and Silver Creek (part of the King Parrot Creek catchment). The department was also responsible for building the Watts River Scheme later to be known as the Maroondah System commissioned in 1891.

PERIOD FROM 1891 TO 1991: MELBOURNE & METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS (MMBW)
Based on the recommendations of the 1888 Royal Commission into the Sanitary Health of Melbourne, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works MMBW was established in 1891, taking over from the Board of Lands and Works responsibility for the ownership of all Melbourne metropolitan waterworks, sewers, drains, property, land, buildings, plant, river beds and banks except for those river beds and banks vested in the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, Victorian Railways Commissioners and the City of Melbourne.

PERIOD FROM 1991 TO 1995: MELBOURNE WATER
Melbourne Water is the successor in law and the body responsible for the functions carried out by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. It was formed by the merger of the MMBW. with other local water authorities on 1 September 1991:

Dandenong - Springvale Water Board;
Emerald District Water Board;
Dandenong Valley and Westernport Authority;
Mornington Peninsula and District Water Board
Pakenham Water Board; and
Lang Lang

PERIOD FROM 1995 TO DATE: MELBOURNE WATER (Wholesaler)
On 1 January 1995, Melbourne Water starts operation as the wholesale water company, together with City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water as Melbourne’s retail water companies.

City West Water and Western Water merged on 1 July 2021 creating Greater Western Water.

The Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) was officially integrated into Melbourne Water on 1 January 2022.

133 Years Strong! Public Health continues to underscore our vision of Enhancing Life and Liveability!

01/10/2023

DIATOMS
Microscopic Marvels: an important fabric of the Water Story

Our Water Story is indeed a multifaceted and interconnected tapestry that touches every aspect of our lives.

From our First Nations People and their spiritual connection to Country through to the present, where we continue to expand the infrastructure network built by our predecessors, the story of water continues to be woven.

Not surprising then that the statement, "Our place in the community is intrinsic to the Water Story", resonates strongly at Melbourne Water.

With a history dating back to 1891, generations of Melburnians as indeed Victorians have a personal link to Melbourne Water and our predecessor in the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works.

Our place in community is not defined by the essential services we provide but rather how we connect and engage with Community.

This connection came to light in February when Judy Flood contacted the Heritage Team wanting to gift drawings by her Great Grandfather John Andrews Ross of diatoms in Yan Yean water.

The drawings are dated 1899, and with the 170th anniversary of Yan Yean Reservoir looming, the timing of this connection was seen as a moment of pure ‘serendipity’.

With this in mind, Melbourne Water had to acknowledge and pay homage to the family with the Heritage Team hosting a morning tea for Judy and her mother, Margaret Williamson ( nee Ross) in the company of our Water Research Team, Brett Anderson and Shane Haydon.

John Andrews Ross lived in Euroke and had no direct link to Yan Yean although documented in a biographical account, his part-time interests were entomology, being a member of the Field Naturalist Club and a member of the Microscopic Society.

The drawings will be a valuable addition to our growing historic collection and one that embodies yet another personal connection to the Water Story.

17/04/2023

Nothing planned for this weekend? Well, consider visiting the Western Treatment Plant for a unique art experience that showcases the landscape and operations through a unique perspective:

We acknowledge and pay respect to the elders, families and ancestors of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung people, who have been and continue to be the custodians of the land on which the Treatment Project creates.

13/04/2023

Ever visited the Western Treatment Plant (Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Sewage Farm)? How about checking it out at night!

Melbourne Water is partnering with Deakin University in hosting the third iteration of the TREATMENT art program. Check the link below for details:

We acknowledge and pay respect to the elders, families and ancestors of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung people, who have been and continue to be the custodians of the land on which the Treatment Project creates.

17/03/2023

OUR FIRST WATER SUPPLY INCIDENT
On this day in 1878 the then Public Works Department experienced its first major water supply crisis involving the Yan Yean Aqueduct.

Late in the evening of Friday 15 March 1878, a violent storm brought heavy rain into the Plenty River catchment. The rapidly rising river was soon in flood and by early morning on 16 March problems quickly developed at the bluestone bridge, which carried the aqueduct over the Plenty River.

Overnight, a significant volume of debris had washed against the bridge causing it to collapse. All of a sudden, the Lifeblood of the City, had been severed.

Immediate steps were taken to build a temporary wooden flume with an army of workers despatched to undertake the repairs. Around the clock, workers diligently started to rebuild a temporary wooden crossing.

With three days of supply at Preston Reservoir, rationing was quickly introduced but to little avail, as panic soon set in with many filling whatever receptacles at their disposal, as reported in The Argus (19 March 1878):
In Melbourne and the suburbs yesterday afternoon the want of water began to be felt by those who, with less selfishness or prudence than their neighbours, had not taken the opportunity of drawing off a store on Saturday or Sunday. The lagoon at Albert-park was drawn on by residents of Emerald-hill; the small lakes in most of the public reserves were also besieged; and indeed every place where water had collected in any quantity, had its visitors with buckets and cans.

By the morning of Monday, 18 March Preston Reservoir had been emptied although repair works were progressing well.

By Tuesday afternoon on 19 March 1878 the temporary flume had been completed, and the system back in service thanks to the tireless efforts of workers!

The present day flume was constructed in 1879 and decommissioned in 1960 with the Yan Yean aqueduct replaced with a pipeline crossing under the Plenty River.

This story inspired the creation of the Footprints on the Landscape walking tour.

17/03/2023

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELBOURNE WATER
Tomorrow marks an auspicious occasion. So, let's take a stroll down memory lane.
Melbourne Water is successor to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) established in 1891. The Board held its first meeting on 18 March 1891 at 3:00pm effectively ‘open for business’. So what a good time to claim as our anniversary and place in the annals of history!
There is a long line of predecessors to Melbourne Water and the Retail Water Companies:
PERIOD OF FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1860: CITY OF MELBOURNE & COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS & WATER SUPPLY
From its establishment in 1836, Melbourne drew its water supply direct from the Yarra River. Melbourne Town Council established in 1842, had formal responsibility for water supply and sewerage.
In 1853 the colonial government established the Commissioners of Sewers & Water Supply to take control of water supply functions. The Commissioners built the Yan Yean water supply but "shied away from building the more difficult and costly sewers".
PERIOD FROM 1860 TO 1891: MELBOURNE SEWERAGE & WATER SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
On 12 December 1859, the Board of Commissioners of Sewerage and Water Supply was dissolved and its powers and property vested in the Board of Lands and Works. Operationally, this responsibility was exercised by a branch of the Public Works Department known as the Melbourne Sewerage and Water Supply Department.
The Melbourne Sewerage and Water Supply Department initiated the expansion of the Yan Yean system north of the Great Dividing Range in the 1880s, harnessing the waters of Wallaby Creek and Silver Creek (part of the King Parrot Creek catchment). The department was also responsible for building the Watts River Scheme later to be known as the Maroondah System commissioned in 1891.
PERIOD FROM 1891 TO 1991: MELBOURNE & METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS (MMBW)
Based on the recommendations of the 1888 Royal Commission into the Sanitary Health of Melbourne, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works MMBW was established in 1891, taking over from the Board of Lands and Works responsibility for the ownership of all Melbourne metropolitan waterworks, sewers, drains, property, land, buildings, plant, river beds and banks except for those river beds and banks vested in the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, Victorian Railways Commissioners and the City of Melbourne.
PERIOD FROM 1991 TO 1995: MELBOURNE WATER
Melbourne Water is the successor in law and the body responsible for the functions carried out by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. It was formed by the merger of the MMBW. with other local water authorities on 1 September 1991:
Dandenong - Springvale Water Board;
Emerald District Water Board;
Dandenong Valley and Westernport Authority;
Mornington Peninsula and District Water Board
Pakenham Water Board; and
Lang Lang Water Board
PERIOD FROM 1995 TO DATE: MELBOURNE WATER (Wholesaler)
On 1 January 1995, Melbourne Water starts operation as the wholesale water company, together with City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water as Melbourne’s retail water companies.
On 1 July 2021, City West Water merged with Western Water Corporation to form Greater Western Water.
The Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) was officially integrated into Melbourne Water on 1 January 2022.
131 years Strong! Public Health continues to underscore our vision of Enhancing Life and Liveability!

15/02/2022

Hi all,

I have moved this page across to a Group by the same name. I have also shared posts to the new group and added you all as members.

Apparently, this will help link back to Melbourne Water 😀

14/02/2022

Happy Birthday, Maroondah!

DID YOU KNOW? While the Maroondah Dam was completed in 1927, much of the system was built decades earlier as part of the original Watts River Scheme.

Under the auspices of the then Public Works Department, construction of the Watts River Scheme commenced in 1886 with diversion weirs on the Watts River and Graceburn Creek and an open aqueduct running to Preston Reservoir via present day Junction Basin. It was opened with much fanfare on 18 February 1891 by the Governor of Victoria, the Earl of Hopetoun.

At the opening ceremony, attended by some 300 people, the governor declared that the new system be renamed ‘Maroondah’, which was thought to be the local Aboriginal name for the area. For generations, many of the built features became destinations and were eulogised through postcards and celebrated with great civic pride.

Maroondah Water Supply System was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2018 affirming its rightful place in Victoria’s history and Melbourne Water’s place in community.

It is very much an important marker in Melbourne’s water story.

12/02/2022

Must apologise upfront for the lack of activity on my part as administrator. This page landed on my lap following a post I made. Nonetheless, it is quite fitting as it is aligned with the work I do at Melbourne Water leading the Heritage Team.

Unbeknown, many Melbourne Water assets built by the MMBW during the formative years of Melbourne are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. However, what is often not captured are the countless stories by former employees as indeed their descendants.

Accordingly, this page is an open invitation to share your personal stories and importantly, a conduit to connect with the Heritage Team in the hope of uncovering images or paraphernalia, as Melbourne Water boasts a historic collection.

Please join us 😀

12/09/2021

Hi there! Wondering if you had any photographs etc of the b.o.w depot in Warburton by any chance? The property has been operating as a business incubator (Yarra Ranges Enterprise Centre YREC) since 1998, and as of November this year we will own the property. We are having a celebration for this and I am looking for some historical references to the property. Thanks so much.

Regard Julie Ormsby

22/10/2020

A few more pics , the Mitcham workshop pics are from the 1984 Christmas party and Kenny Downton's retirement. The others are from the MMBW Warburton depot and some others are from a safety award that Mitcham workshop won , again it was about 1976 .
Hopefully some past employees will get a laugh out of them .
The damaged F100 was the Warburton workshop service vehicle after it hit a HR Holden in the main st of Warburton