{"id":66010,"date":"2026-08-06T01:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T01:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/66010\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T01:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T01:30:11","slug":"archeologists-uncover-incredible-relic-from-1854-during-melbourne-sewer-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/66010\/","title":{"rendered":"Archeologists uncover incredible relic from 1854 during Melbourne sewer upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"

Archeologists have uncovered the remains of a 19th-century dock as contractors dig new tunnels to upgrade Melbourne’s sewer system.<\/a><\/p>\n

The remains are thought to be part of Little Dock, which was built in 1854, but closed in 1930 when the nearby Spencer Street Bridge was built.<\/p>\n

Crews from Greater Western Water<\/a> have been upgrading the 130-year-old network of pipes around Siddeley Street in the Docklands precinct.<\/a><\/p>\n

Located on the Yarra River, the bustling dock once served fishing boats and small trading vessels.<\/p>\n

There are a few visible relics of the old docks remaining, although it’s still possible to see the decaying pilons from Rotten Row in nearby Port Melbourne.<\/a><\/p>\n

Have you made an archeological find? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Archeologists are documenting historical artefacts before works continue to upgrade Melbourne’s sewer system.<\/p>\n

(Greater Western Water)<\/p>\n

Over the last three decades, the Docklands region has rapidly changed, and documenting its history in imporant to understanding the city.<\/p>\n

In the 1990s, the docks were a hub of Melbourne’s underground rave scene, but over the last two decades, the precinct has become less active.<\/p>\n

In 2026, the streets are windy, shaded by high-rise residential towers, and the waterfront is ordinarily quiet but for the odd jogger or fisherman.<\/p>\n

Why the sewer upgrade is needed<\/p>\n

Greater Western Water’s general manager of asset planning, Ian Burton, explained the works are part of a $160 million project to expand sewers in the CBD.<\/p>\n

“Once complete, the new tunnelled sewer at Siddeley Street will run alongside the existing sewer network, which is nearly 130 years old, doubling its capacity,” he said in an email.<\/p>\n

“As our city continues to grow, evolve and densify, we are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and future\u2011ready CBD, while respecting and preserving the significant history we are uncovering to do so.”<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/p>\n

Today, the streets of Docklands are generally quiet, with people occasionally seen darting between the high-rise residential buildings.<\/p>\n

(Getty)What’s been found during the construction works?<\/p>\n

Over the last decade, there have been upgrades to sewers underneath Elizabeth Street, Lonsdale Street and Spencer Street.<\/p>\n

The Siddeley Street works are the final stage, and they involve constructing 750 metres of new pipes.<\/p>\n

The network will run from Spencer Street and Flinders Lane through to Wurundjeri Way, and then connect to the existing network.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Little Dock once served fishing vessels in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

(Royal Historical Society Victoria)<\/p>\n

Archeologists and Heritage Victoria are documenting the city’s history, in tandem with works by Saunders Aqua Metro, the construction company contracted by Greater Western Water.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

No one from Greater Western Water was available for an interview this week, so specific details of what’s been documented during the process are unclear.<\/p>\n

But the company was able to confirm a large volume of cultural artefacts have been uncovered, including preserved timber up to eight metres in length, old bottles, ceramics and an old boot.<\/p>\n

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