Melbourne Water is building a new pipeline to meet growing demand for water in the northern and western suburbs of Greater Melbourne and to support development in the planned growth area.
The new pipeline will improve the reliability of water supply in the northern suburbs and free up capacity to transfer more water to the western suburbs. The project involves construction of a 20km pipeline from the Yan Yean Water Treatment Plant to the Bald Hill, Kalkallo tank site. Construction commenced in early 2023, and reinstatement works should be completed by the end of 2024.
As the new pipeline is being constructed for necessary bulk transfer of water, no connections can be made to properties along the alignment.
Melbourne’s population is projected to increase from 4.6 million in 2016 to 6 million in 2031, and ultimately to 8 million people in 2051. Around 60% of this growth is expected to occur in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, with 851,000 new residents projected by 2031 (Victoria in Future 2016, Victorian Government).
The new pipeline has been designed and timed to meet growing water demands and improve reliability of supply in the northern suburbs, while freeing up capacity to transfer more water to the western suburbs.
Construction on the new pumping station and upgrade works at the Yan Yean Water Treatment Plant, and the new 20km bulk water transfer pipeline is now complete. Once tested and commissioned, the new pipeline will enable bulk water transfer from the Yan Tean Water Treatment Plant to the Bald Hill Reservoir Tank.
We are constructing a 1.5-kilometre water supply pipeline and have installed a large water tank on the top of Bald Hill, Kalkallo. This will be connected to a greater pipeline planned for the future.
Works involve excavation to establish a foundation for the new pipeline and tank. The tank is 10 metres tall and approximately 36 metres in diameter, and was delivered to the site in segments and installed by crane.
As part of a related project in the area, we are also planning to build a new pipeline to improve the reliability of water supply in the northern suburbs and free up capacity to transfer more water to the western suburbs.
The project involves construction of a new 20-kilometre pipeline from the Yan Yean Water Treatment Plant to the Bald Hill, Kalkallo tank site, as shown on the following map. As the new pipeline will be constructed to transfer water, no connections will be made to properties along the alignment.
The pipeline has been split into two 10 kilometre sections (The Eastern and Western sections).
Construction of the pipeline is complete, and we are now in the final stages of testing and commissioning.
Work to reinstate public and private properties continues, as we demobilise our site compounds.
Early investigation works have been completed.
Early works and site establishment
Construction of the Yan Yean Pumping Station is now complete.
Construction and commissioning of the new pump station is complete, and the pump station has been activated and is now operational.
As reinstatement works continue at the treatment plant and along the pipeline alignment, you may notice:
For further information regarding the project or to provide feedback please see the contact details below.
Download our introductory project bulletin for an overview of all of our current and planned projects in Yan Yean:
Contact us with any comments or queries: