Sandridge Lagoon
Port Melbourne was originally called Sandridge, named for the ridge of dunes that stretched along the beach foreshore. To the local Aboriginal people, the lagoon was a source of life and sustenance – a fertile hunting ground teeming with fish and game.
European arrival
When Charles Grimes charted the area in 1803, he described the lagoon as a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, separated from the sea but brimming with potential. As Europeans arrived in the wake of Melbourne’s establishment in 1835, the lagoon became a central feature of a growing village.
In its early days, the lagoon was admired for its clear waters and thriving ecosystem. Accounts from the 1850s paint it as a tranquil haven, surrounded by trees and picturesque scrub and brimming with fish. It was a beloved spot for angling, boating and enjoying nature – a serene escape.
But as the town grew, so too did its impact on the lagoon. With prosperity and industry also came pollution. Sewage flowed into the lagoon’s waters, choking fish and killing plants.
A growing hazard
By the mid-19th century, the once-pristine lagoon was a shadow of its former self. Residents grew increasingly concerned as the lagoon turned into a stagnant, foul-smelling hazard. It posed health risks, and its murky depths even became a danger. Stories of people accidentally drowning, such as the tragic case of two men in 1869, added to the urgency for change.
Debates about the lagoon’s future raged on. Some proposed converting it into a dock, but the engineering challenges of dredging and maintaining a channel to the bay were insurmountable. Others argued for its reclamation, citing the health risks and urban development around it.
After decades of inaction, the decision was finally made to fill the lagoon. This was completed in 1929. Today, only Lagoon Reserve, nestled between Esplanade East and West, offers a subtle reminder of what was once a defining feature of Port Melbourne’s landscape.
Port Melbourne Pump Station
The lagoon faded into history, but another marvel appeared in its place: the Port Melbourne Pump Station. Built by the Board of Public Works in 1891, it was an innovative and vital safeguard for the community.
The station was designed to pump floodwaters away from the densely populated areas of Port Melbourne, Albert Park and South Melbourne. Initially powered by gas, its seven pumps could move an extraordinary 36,000 gallons of water per minute, protecting a 126-hectare area.
George Beazley, the station’s operator, became a local legend. Known for his vigilance, George would come no matter the hour to oversee the station’s operation. His dedication kept the streets dry during the great flood of 1916, when the pumps worked day and night to prevent floodwaters from invading homes.
As the years passed, the pump station evolved. The gas-powered machinery was eventually replaced with electric pumps in 1955, but its purpose remained unchanged: to protect the community from the threat of flooding.
