With the new water mains in place and the pipe track reopened, all that remains to be done on the project is the planting of more grass and small plants along the track this autumn.
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life. Clean, affordable water is readily available to our homes and businesses whenever we need it, via a network of underground water mains. Over time, these mains age and need replacing. That's why, at Melbourne Water, we are undertaking water main upgrade works across Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs. These upgrades will ensure we can continue to supply our customers and the wider community with a safe and reliable water supply today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Construction update
About the project
Melbourne Water is replacing corroded sections of the water main between Dunrossil Drive (Kilsyth) to Yarraduct Place (Croydon South).
Replacement works will include:
- Replacing sections of the M54, M55, and M56 water mains with two new 1350mm pipelines.
- Most works will be within Melbourne Water's 'pipe track' or grassed reserve, the pipeline does cross some roads, including;
- Bayswater Road, Croydon,
- Mt Dandenong Road, Croydon,
- Parrs Road, Croydon, and
- Norton Road, Croydon
Why is this project needed?
The M54, M55, and M56 water mains are between 80 and 100 years old and are reaching the end of their service life. Our water network depends on these mains to transport and distribute water between the Olinda and Mitcham Reservoirs.
These works are essential to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for customers and the wider community now and into the future.
Your water supply is not expected to be interrupted during our works. If you experience any issues with your water, please call Yarra Valley Water on 13 27 62.
Project timeline
Construction works commenced mid-2023 and are estimated to take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Mid 2022
Tender Period
December 2022
Project awarded
Early 2023
Detailed design and Preliminary works
Mid 2023
Construction commences
Late 2024
Reinstatement of pipeline, parks and reserves including additional amenities
Early 2025
Project completion
We are committed to keeping the community updated as the project progresses. As more information becomes available, we will notify the wider community via a letter drop and provide an opportunity for feedback.
What to expect during construction?
Whilst we will make every effort to ensure inconveniences are kept to a minimum, there will be some localised impacts:
Noise
- There will be some noise associated with the construction of the new water main. We will work closely with the appointed contractor to manage noise impacts as much as practicable.
Parking
- We understand that the loss of parking is a key concern for local residents and businesses.
- We will try and limit the number of car parking spaces impacted and the duration they are needed to complete our works.
- We will inform you about impacts on car parking before works taking place in your area.
Traffic changes
- The majority of our works will take place on roads, parks and reserves.
- To complete our works safely, there will be changes to local traffic conditions. Approved traffic management contractors will be used to direct traffic, pedestrians and cyclists safely around our worksites.
- We will work closely with local Councils and the appointed construction contractor to stage the works to minimise impacts on local traffic.
- We will provide the local community with more information about expected changes to traffic conditions as more information becomes available.
Working hours
- At this stage in the project, we anticipate that majority of the works will be completed during standard construction hours of Monday to Friday between 7 am and 6 pm and Saturdays from 7 am to 1 pm.
- Nightworks may be required where the pipeline crosses under roads to minimise traffic disruption. Night works will be 9 pm to 7 am Sunday to Thursday. Affected residents and businesses will be informed of this prior.
Melbourne Water will communicate with residents and businesses about the works through door knocks, letters, phone calls and site signage.
We do not anticipate any impact on your water or sewerage services during these works.
Respecting the landscape
To construct the new water main, removal and pruning of some trees along the alignment will be necessary.
Careful vegetation management is important for the following reasons:
• Trenching and working beside trees can undermine their root systems, making them unhealthy, unstable and unsafe.
• Occasionally, trees are located directly over critical infrastructure and require removal to provide access.
• We prune trees along the alignment to reduce the possibility of damage from machinery during our works.
• The roots of trees and shrubs close to water mains can cause corrosion, blockages and damage, impacting water supply and reducing the service life of water main pipes.
Melbourne Water takes tree removal seriously and seeks to avoid it wherever possible. We have worked with an arborist to adjust the water mains location, designed to minimise the project footprint and chosen a construction methodology to reduce the impact on tree roots.
We will work closely with Maroondah City Council, Yarra Ranges Council and local community groups to identify replanting opportunities as part of our reinstatement works.
Community bulletins
Frequently asked questions
- Why is it important?
-
We replace water mains to ensure the supply of safe and reliable water now and into the future for our customers and the wider community. Water mains typically last at least 80-100 years. When they leak multiple times in a short period of time, it indicates that a pipe has come to the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
- Will any trees be removed?
-
To construct the new water main, removal and trimming of some trees along the alignment will be necessary. Careful vegetation management is important for the following reasons:
- Trenching and working beside trees can undermine their root systems, making them unhealthy, unstable and unsafe. These trees have been conservatively identified for removal, however, we are using a specific methodology to increase the number saved.
- Occasionally, trees are located directly over critical infrastructure and require removal to provide access.
- We will also prune trees along the alignment to reduce the possibility of damage from machinery during our works.
- The roots of trees and shrubs close to water mains can cause corrosion, blockages and damage, impacting water supply and reducing the service life of water main pipes.
Melbourne Water takes tree removal seriously and seeks to avoid it where possible.
- What steps have been taken to avoid tree removal?
-
Melbourne Water has been working to minimise the number of trees to be removed. We are:
- adjusting the new water main location to avoid trees where possible;
- implementing design efficiencies that minimise the project's footprint; and
- using construction methodologies aimed at minimising impacts on tree roots.
- Are the trees identified for removal being replaced?
-
We recognise that trees are important for the community and therefore it is important for the project to offsetting or replace the trees removed.
Melbourne Water will be offsetting tree removal and replanting trees as close as possible to the impacted area. Some trees may not be able to be replanted in the same location as the roots may impact the new pipe and cause corrosion and damage to the new pipe. If replanting cannot occur nearby alternative locations for replanting will be agreed with Council.
- How will wildlife be protected?
-
A qualified wildlife handler (ecologist and zoologist) will be on-site during any tree removal to:
- complete a wildlife pre-clearance check before construction
- checking the site for fauna and marking trees likely to have habitat
- attempting to catch and relocate fauna (without causing it distress). If this isn't possible, the contractors will move to the next tree and return to try again later.
- relocating nests or nesting boxes.
It is preferable to relocate fauna within the same site. If this is not possible, the wildlife handler will advise on a relocation strategy.
- Why is the pipetrack and shared use path closed during works?
-
The shared use path on the pipetrack has been closed for the duration of the project for the following reasons:
- movement of large vehicles in the area are a safety risk to cyclist and pedestrians sharing the space
- digging and trenching within the pipetrack have made the surface uneven, once work is complete the path will be reinstated to a safe condition before reopened to the public.
Contact us
If you want more information or have any questions or concerns, contact the Kilsyth to Croydon South water mains renewal project team on: