The Wunghnu Water Tower was constructed in 1906.

The tower, designed by General Sir John Monash - one of Australia’s most renowned engineers, used the innovative Monier reinforced concrete system.

At the time, this method was a breakthrough in construction technology, replacing traditional brick towers topped with steel tanks as a more cost-effective and durable design.

At 15 metres and holding 151,000 litres of water from top to bottom, the Wunghnu Water Tower, at the time of construction, was unique in Australia for its size and design. It played a vital role in providing a reliable water supply to the township, which had previously faced delays and challenges in securing such infrastructure.

The tower served the community for decades before being decommissioned in the 1980s, replaced by a ground-level tank and a small, elevated tank on a steel stand. Today, while no longer in use, the tower remains a landmark. Originally guaranteed to last for one year, it has stood for over a century, passing all expectations of its service life.

The tower is an example of an early reinforced concrete water tower, being the first in the state to be constructed in this way and used as a design template for other towers in Victoria.

Recognition of the heritage significance of the tower is evidenced by its inclusion on the Moira Shire Heritage Overlay and its nomination for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Even though it is no longer functional, the Wunghnu Water Tower is testament to early 20th-century engineering and the growth of rural Victoria.