 Built by the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department in 1935 as a sewer vent, it is of brick construction rendered in Art Deco style and stands tall, making it the second tallest sewer vent in Australia (after a structure in Sydney).The vent was intended to safely discharge acidic gas with the potential to damage Perth's sewer network and was hence built on top of Highgate Hill above a high point in the system.It proved unsuccessful, inadequately venting the sewer gas and – under certain weather conditions – dispersing what gas it vented over the surrounding houses and police station.