Design tender advertised for Gong Reservoir Dam Wall reconstruction

The City of Ballarat has advertised a design tender for the reconstruction of the Gong Reservoir Dam Wall at Buninyong. 

The reconstruction project will improve the dam’s wall structural integrity to preserve the historic water facility while mitigating the risk of flooding to the community. 

The Gong Dam Wall was not constructed to required standards and the leaking wall was identified as a public safety risk in 2019.  

Wall failure could mean flooding downstream, impacting the Buninyong Botanic Gardens, the bowling club and private residences. An independent risk assessment recommended the City of Ballarat ‘take measures to reduce the overall risk’. 

In 2023, Ballarat City Council voted to adopt the Buninyong Botanic Gardens Landscape Masterplan which included the design and reconstruction of the Gong Reservoir wall. 

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor said the reconstruction project is an essential investment in Buninyong’s future. 

“The Gong is an iconic part of Buninyong’s landscape and this project will ensure it continues to be a safe and valued asset for generations to come,” he said. 

“The works will respect the site’s history while meeting modern safety and environmental standards. 

“We will continue to work with nearby residents and community members as the project progresses.” 

The works also enable the controlled discharge of the seepage water into the garden ponds.  

A landscaping design response to the works includes re-use and redevelopment of the stone retaining wall, at the base of the wall on the gardens’ side, planting of suitable species, new garden beds with low growing plants, fencing and bollards. 

It also includes a boardwalk for access to the Gong Reservoir and new paths and crossing points for pedestrians. 

The Buninyong Botanic Gardens Landscape Masterplan was informed through extensive community consultation and stakeholder engagement in 2021 and early 2022, including both a pre-engagement and a draft engagement landscape masterplan phase. 

Once the design works have been completed, a separate tender for the reconstruction of the wall works will be advertised.