City to undertake maintenance works on Alexandra Fountain

The City of Greater Bendigo will undertake maintenance works to fix internal leaking in the top section of Bendigo’s iconic Alexandra Fountain.

The Alexandra Fountain is one of Bendigo’s best known and important landmarks. It is protected by the City of Greater Bendigo’s Planning Scheme and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, the Register of the National Estate and is classified by the National Trust of Australia.

City of Greater Bendigo Manager Property Services Daniella McClure said the work is being undertaken with approval from Heritage Victoria and is expected to take eight weeks to complete.

“The project will involve removal of the fountain’s upper bowl section by crane so that we can rectify the internal leaks and prevent any damage to this important landmark,” Ms McClure said.

“The Alexandra Fountain is an important part of the city’s history and its future and it is important to maintain it in good working order.”

Alexandra Fountain was funded from the proceeds of the Bendigo Juvenile Industrial Exhibition (1879), a £500 gift from local mining magnate and philanthropist George Lansell and a further £700 from the former Sandhurst City Council (now the City of Greater Bendigo).

It was designed by noted local architect William Vahland and was erected using local craftsmen.

The fountain was named in honor of the Princess of Wales – Princess Alexandra and was officially opened on July 5, 1881 by her two sons the Prince George (who was later to become King George V) and his brother Prince Albert.

Other than the Exhibition Fountain, built in 1880 in the Melbourne‘s Carlton Gardens, Bendigo’s Alexandra Fountain is the largest and most ornate municipal fountain in Victoria.

The City undertook a major refurbishment of the fountain in 2017 which included restoration of the fountain’s cast balustrade and masonary, repairs and painting of the statues and render, plumbing and electrical upgrades.

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