Melbourne Water is undertaking water main upgrade works in Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs. These upgrade works will ensure Melbourne Water can continue to supply our customers and the wider community with a safe and reliable water supply now and into the future.
Construction updates
The project team continues construction across two work sites, with works successfully crossing Rooks Road and heading south within the pipe track reserve. Connection works are also progressing well within the pipe track reserve off Percy Street, with works expected to be complete by 21 October.
A third construction site on Lucknow Street will be established from Monday 10 October, when digging and pipelaying will recommence at Mitcham Road and progress west toward Mitcham Reservoir. Construction already within the pipe track south of Rooks Road will cross Lorikeet Street and Mount Pleasant Road from Monday 24 October. These works will take approximately three weeks before we close the pipe track between Mount Pleasant Road and Menin Road to continue pipelaying toward Canterbury Road,
Update as of 6 October
About the project
Melbourne Water is replacing three aging sections of the M22 and M46 water mains between Mitcham and Syndal.
Replacement works will include:
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Replacing sections of the M22 and M46 water mains and installing a single new 1.15-1.35m diameter water main between:
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Mitcham Reservoir to the intersection of Springvale and Canterbury Road, Forest Hill.
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The intersection of Hawthorn and Mahoneys Road to Aston Court, Burwood East.
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Cherry Street to High Street Road, Glen Waverley.
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While most work will be within Melbourne Water’s ‘pipe track’ or grassed reserve, the pipeline does cross some roads, including Burwood Highway in Burwood and High St Rd in Glen Waverley.
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Abandoning a section of the M22 water main between the Waverley Road Basin and the Monash Freeway, Mt Waverley.
Why is this project needed?
The M22 and M46 water mains are 90 to 100 years old, with the M46 built in 1912 and M22 in 1927. Sections of the M22 and M46 water mains are nearing the end of their service life.
This work will ensure Melbourne Water can continue to supply our customers and the wider community with a safe and reliable water supply 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
The project is currently in the detailed design phase. Construction works are planned to commence in early to mid-2022 and take 12 to 18 months to complete.
November 2021
Project awarded
Early 2022
Detailed design
Early-mid 2022
Construction commences
Mid-late 2023
Construction complete
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 3 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.
Frequently asked questions
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 residents and businesses be notified before work begins?
Melbourne Water will continue to maintain contact with directly affected residents and businesses through door knocks, notification letters, phone calls and site signage to ensure you are informed of upcoming works.
To keep you up to date with what we are doing, how the works are progressing and when we will be in your area, we will also provide web updates. If you wish to receive email updates, please contact the project team at [email protected].
Will my water service be disrupted?
Your water supply is not expected to be interrupted during the course of our works. If you experience any issues with your water, please call Yarra Valley Water on 13 27 62.
What are the work hours for the construction crew?
Most construction works will occur during standard construction hours of Monday to Friday between 7 am and 6 pm and Saturdays from 7 am to 3 pm.
Nightworks may be required where the pipeline crosses under roads to minimise traffic disruption. Residents and businesses will be advised if works are necessary outside of these hours.
Will any trees be removed?
The removal and trimming of some trees along the pipe track will be necessary.
Melbourne Water understands the value of trees to communities. We will work closely with Whitehorse City Council, Monash City Councils and local community groups to identify opportunities to enhance the pipe track.
Contact us
If you want more information or have any questions or concerns, contact the Mitcham to Syndal Water Mains Renewal project team on:
Community bulletins