Historical information
With an increasing need to grow Melbourne's water supply, in 1973, the State Government announced plans for the development of Sugarloaf Reservoir. Two dams were to be built, one across the Yarra from the Yarra Brae property in Wonga Park to the Bend of Isles. Water was to be pumped from this dam to the higher level Sugarloaf Reservoir. The proposed extensive flooding of large numbers of properties resulted in significant community backlash and ultimately abandonement of the proposed Yarra Brae dam.
Physical description
35 mm colour positive transparency (x 3)
Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Card
Subjects
References
- Yarra Brae Dam (a non-event!) In 1973, the State Government announced plans for the new Sugarloaf Reservoir, to augment Melbourne’s water supply. The proposal was to build two large dams, one of which was to be across the Yarra, with the dam wall across the gorge, extending from the Yarra Brae property in Wonga Park, Park to the Bend of Isles. This vast dam was to inundate the land extending some 20 km as far out as Yarra Glen, which would have flooded large numbers of properties, farms, and orchards, as well as destroy recreational access to the Yarra. Water was to be pumped from this new dam to the higher level Sugarloaf Reservoir in the Christmas hills. Work started on pouring concrete foundations in 1974 for the Yarra Brae dam, but the project was abandoned due to public hostility, and only the Sugarloaf Reservoir was built (opened in 1982).
