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Water outage on Network Drive, Port Melbourne, Saturday 11 July between 7am and 12pm. 

Recycled water at Fishermans Bend

As part of the Fishermans Bend project, we’ll design and construct a water recycling plant (WRP) to mine sewage from the Hobsons Bay sewer main and treat it to class A recycled water standard. The WRP site is located just off Sardine Street within the Fishermans Bend Employment precinct (see map below). The precinct scale size of the plant means it will allow us to supply recycled water to properties and outdoor areas such as parks and gardens to create drought-resilient green spaces which enhance liveability.

We’re currently in the concept design phase for the WRP. During this phase we’ll investigate potential design options and what process the WRP will use to treat the wastewater.

We’re planning for the future by investing in alternative water schemes to make our communities more resilient to climate change and conserve our precious drinking water supplies.

WRP Site Demolition Project (Stage 1)

We are preparing to begin demolition of the existing buildings at South East Water’s Sardine Street site. This is an important step toward delivering the water recycling plant and supporting the broader water strategy for Fishermans Bend. 

The Fishermans Bend Water Recyling Plant (WRP) Site Demolition Project will be delivered in two stages to prepare our Sardine Street site for future use.

We are currently in Stage 1. This stage includes demolishing four existing buildings and disconnecting associated services and assets. Asbestos removal and demolition is planned to start in July 2026 and is expected to take up to five months to complete, depending on weather and site conditions.

In the next stage of the project, we will relocate underground assets and services.

Demolition work is planned to start in late June 2026 and is expected to take up to five months to complete, weather and site conditions permitting.  

What we're doing

Stage 1 will be delivered in three phases:

1. Phase 1 involved early works to help plan and prepare for the project. This phase is now complete.

2. Phase 2 will prepare the site for demolition. This includes installing new perimeter hoarding along Network Drive (please see parking impacts section below), removing asbestos from buildings, and setting up temporary site compounds at the Sardine Street site. We are currently in this phase of the project. 

3. Phase 3 will involve demolishing four existing buildings on the Sardine Street site. This will be done in stages. Starting with building 1 (see map below for building locations).

During these works, you may notice:

  • Increased dust, vibration and noise
  • More activity at the Sardine Street site (approx. 6 to 8 truck movements per day)
  • Additional hoarding and temporary fencing

We will take steps, including setting up exclusion zones, employing spotters, implementing public protection measures, dust suppression and air monitoring, to manage these impacts and minimise disruption where possible. See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document for more information. 

When it's happening

You can expect us to work Monday to Friday between 7 am and 7 pm and Saturday between 8 am and 3 pm as required. On the odd occasion, we might need to work at other times for safety, technical or permit reasons.

Early to mid June 2026: we commenced hoarding installation and started preparing our Sardine Street site for upcoming works. 

  • Parking: A new perimeter fence will be installed along SEW’s property boundary. As a result, parking within the South East Water land along sections of Network Drive will no longer be available for public use from 1 June 2026. See map above for more information.
  • Temporary hoarding and fencing: Temporary hoarding and fencing will be installed to keep the site safe during demolition. These locations may change as the project progresses, and we will continue to work with impacted stakeholders.

July 2026: Asbestos removal from exisiting buildings commenced. 

Asbestos will be safely removed from buildings, by a licensed asbestos removalist and under the supervision of a construction hygienist, before demolition begins.

July - November 2026: Demolition works are planned to start from July 2026 and are expected to take around five months to complete, depending on weather and site conditions.

The buildings will be demolished in order, starting with Building 1.

What might impact you

We’ll do our best to keep impacts to a minimum, however these are the kinds of things you might notice while we complete demolition works:

  • Reduced parking along Network Drive (see parking impacts information below)
  • Increased dust around the site  
  • Construction and demolition noise
  • Increased activity at the Sardine Street site with more workers, vehicles and equipment in the area.

We'lll take steps, including setting up exclusion zones, employing spotters, implementing public protection measures, dust suppression and air monitoring, to manage these impacts and minimise disruption where possible. For information more information on asbestos removal see the FAQ section below.

Don't miss these details

We’re working with BFHI (Beca, Fulton Hogan, Interflow joint venture) to help us.

A temporary site compound will be set up on SEW’s Sardine Street site to support the works.

We'll keep those in the area updated as the project continues.

Where we'll be working

Parking impacts

A new perimeter fence will also be installed along South East Water’s property boundary. As a result, parking along sections of Network Drive (on SEW property) will no longer be available for public use from 1 June 2026.

We ask that all vehicles and equipment are removed from this area before this date. For more detail, please refer to the map above.

Frequently asked questions

Our delivery partner Beca, Fulton Hogan, Interflow Joint Venture (BFHI) will undertake these works on behalf of South East Water.

As part of the early works, we’re doing site investigations, such as surveying and subsurface investigations to inform the demolition works.  

A new perimeter fence will also be installed along South East Water’s property boundary. As a result, parking along sections of Network Drive will no longer be available for public use from 1 June 2026. 

Access to businesses on Sardine Street and Network Drive will be maintained during these works.

Documents

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Fishermans Bend: Project overview

Learn about our full scope of works within Fishermans Bend.

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Send us an email
Fishermansbend@sew.com.au

 

Call us
1800 055 465