Melbourne Water has launched work on a new 720-metre Hobsons Bay main sewer, with works slated to finish in mid-2024.
The works would create a new sewer which crosses beneath the Yarra River from Spotswood in the west to Westgate Park in the east.
Melbourne Water has advised businesses directly neighbouring the works areas that noise levels will be moderate to loud during piling and excavation works from June 2022 to April 2023.A Melbourne Water spokesperson said the $206 million project was being undertaken to allow for the rehabilitation of the existing sewer main which was built in the 1960s.
“This is the biggest project currently being delivered by Melbourne Water and is expected to take three years to complete,” the spokesperson said.
“The new sewer and the upgrade of the existing sewer will help reduce risks associated with only having one river crossing that carries almost one-third of Melbourne’s sewage.
“The project will also provide a significant increase in the sewer system’s capacity, which will be required to cater for population growth, particularly as Fishermans Bend is developed over coming years.”
Located at depths of up to 30 to 35 metres below the surface, the sewer works would involve the construction of two shafts on either side of the Yarra River and a tunnel boring machine being used to construct the new sewer.
Melbourne Water has aimed to deliver the project with a net zero carbon footprint through using innovative construction techniques which are currently in development.
Scienceworks visitors can also view information on the works and view the progress of the sewer’s construction on a special display.
Matthew Sims
