The Morwell Power Station and Briquette Factory is an example of a mid-twentieth-century power station and briquetting factory. Its development formed a significant component of the Victorian Government’s post-WWII strategy for energy generation.

The site contains a collection of mid-twentieth century briquetting machinery (a device used to make biomass material by compressing blocks of coat dust) and is the only remaining and intact assemblage in Victoria.

Purcell, in collaboration with GJM Heritage, were commissioned by Gippsland Infrastructure to prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP). Incorporating the previously commissioned Heritage Assessment and Interpretation Plan (prepared by Sue Hodges Productions (SHP)) for the site, the CMP provides a developed understanding of the significant aspects of the site and its heritage values in order to guide and advise on an action plan for future maintenance and manage possible change.

Purcell’s detailed CMP provides the client and future owners with the understanding, advice and policies to conserve and enhance the significance of the place and to support the site and buildings’ ongoing use.

Many of the buildings across the site had begun to deteriorate due to industrial use, previous modifications, water ingress and storm water discharge. Our team’s analysis of the site concluded that as the buildings have been constructed with robust materials (steel, concrete, brick and asbestos sheeting) they appear to have withstood the deterioration and retained much of their original detail.

Purcell have combined an analysis of physical evidence (the landscape and surviving fabric) along with documentary evidence (including comparative analysis and additional research) to develop conservation policies and management actions to ensure the significance of the place is maintained. In conjunction, our team has developed policies to guide maintenance and possible change for future use to ensure the buildings’ longevity.