PRESERVING AND BUILDING ON HISTORY

Work under way on the Cocoroc building preservation.

Andrew Jefferson Editor

For more than 80 years, Cocoroc was a thriving operational and community hub to a resident workforce of 500 strong. The farm hall and amenities block were key places of gathering — the heartbeat of the township where workers and their families socialised, and visitors were welcomed. It’s one of a handful of buildings surviving from the early days of operation of the Western Treatment Plant, originally named the Metropolitan Sewerage Farm, located near Werribee in Melbourne’s west. The original farm hall was in essence one large room. The brief from Melbourne Water centred on restoring and adapting the old building for new use as an education and visitor centre. It also needed capacity for it to be partitioned into small rooms, while still retaining the look and feel of the old building. Aqua Metro Services were given the job as project managers while Melbourne Developers were the project builders. Building manager Ash Sharma, from Melbourne Developers, said the scope of the works for the two buildings comprised complete demolition of the existing amenities block and building new amenities blocks identical to the existing ones — plus partial demolition of the old farm hall. “The intent was to retain the existing stumps, timber flooring, timber frame and scissor trusses,” Mr Sharma said. “In November 2019 it was agreed that a staged demolition be carried out on the farm hall, so its structural integrity was preserved. “This ensured the setting of the historic precinct — and it being one of only a handful of buildings surviving from the workers township — was given a new lease of life for future generations to appreciate.” As with any delicate heritage restoration, Mr Sharma said there were several technical challenges to overcome. “Detailed structural assessment revealed several challenges given the age of the hall and it was decided re-stumping works would be addressed first,” he said. “This was again tricky – and all done from below the sub floor while we had to retain the existing hardwood

timber floors. “Another critical part of the project was preserving the existing glass display board. “It had to be protected from varying stresses in parts of the building so the glass didn’t shatter or get damaged.” After restumping, Mr Sharma said the team started delicate re-framing works. This was crucial and complex as the existing roof trusses had to be retained and propped whilst reframing carried on underneath it. “We acknowledge the efforts rendered by the team at Baile Built Carpenters to assist in overcoming these challenges,” he said. “After completion of re-framing works, we started works on removal of the existing roof sheeting and installing new roof sheets. “This again was complicated as it had to be broken down into stages. “The roof pitch was 45 degrees, so we had to prepare a detailed safe working methodology.” Paul Balassone, Melbourne Water’s Cultural Heritage Advisor, said the water authority was delighted with the finished product. “This project was as much about preserving the historical legacy of the township of Cocoroc,” he said. “The project extends a new lease of life to the hall, which for generations of resident workers and their families was the community hub. “From community meetings through to social dances, the hall embodies countless stories.” Mr Balassone said the farm hall has been standing on its current site since 1975, when it was relocated from across the road. However, it’s not the original hall. It was first built in 1896 when the Werribee Farm was established. The hall was rebuilt in 1924 after a fire destroyed the original building. Mr Balassone said the almost 100-year-old building is being redeveloped by Melbourne Water to become its new education and visitor centre, paying homage to the rich history of the Western Treatment Plant. “The centre will also look to the future, educating our community on how the treatment plant has evolved and continues to innovate to manage Melbourne’s water resources,” he said. “The use of digital technologies will be integrated into the education experience, sensitively bringing to life the history of the site. “Together with the rebuilding of the amenities block, the project has been instrumental in realising the vision of resurrecting the once thriving workers township of Cocoroc. “The finished product is a credit to all. The farm hall and amenity block have been restored and rebuilt respectively, and both adapted for a new future.” Mr Balassone said the project was also delivered on time and on budget. The site will be open to the community in early 2022. “We hope it brings a new appreciation of Cocoroc’s rich history to the next generation with many in the Werribee community having family ties to the historic workers township,” Mr Balassone said. “We will continue to educate Melbourne’s wider community on the role of past and future workers at the Western Treatment Plant, and their important role protecting public health in Melbourne’s community. “The farm hall and amenities block have been faithfully refurbished and rebuilt respectively and showcase Melbourne Water’s commitment to integrating heritage management through adaptive re-use as a means of preserving its history.”