Works in Melbourne - Stages 4, 5 & 6

 

You might not notice a lot of the work we do because most of it is beneath your feet. Every day, we’re maintaining and upgrading the pipes and pumps that keep the sewage network flowing.

With upcoming works in St Kilda Road, Union Street, Beatrice Streets and around Albert Park you might see us or our delivery parter ZJW (Zinfra, Jaydo, WSP Joint Venture) around.

Here’s what to expect while we get the job done.

 

What we're doing

The project will increase the capacity of the sewer network to cater for population growth in the area and future proof the sewerage system.

We're still undertaking investigation works around the project area, so you might see us around. These works include cultural heritage investigations, soil sampling and service proving activities. 

We're planning to start works in your area during stages 4, 5 & 6 of construction.

Stages 1 to 3 in Albert Park and St Kilda West are almost complete.

Stage 4 will start in the St Kilda Road Service Lane at the Union Street end and head northbound. We'll then work in Beatrice Street before returning to finish in Union Street.

When it's happening

We've been undertaking investigative works along the proposed alignment since mid-November 2022. Construction of the new sewer started in Albert Park in mid September 2024. We're now ready to start works on stages 4, 5 and 6.

  • Stage 4 - St Kilda Road Service Lane (heading northbound from the Union Street end)
    Mid July - October 2025
  • Stage 5 - Beatrice Street
    October - December 2025
  • Stage 6 - Union Street
    December 2025 - March 2026

We expect to finish the whole project by mid 2026.

Working hours are Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. On occasion we may need to work outside these hours for safety, technical or permit reasons. This may include Saturday works between 9.30am and 3.30pm. We'll send an email or SMS before any weekend or out-of-hours works.

There will be no interruption to your water or sewer services while we work.

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 work:

  • More trucks and less car parks on the streets around you.
  • Driveway access restrictions. We'll be in touch if this affects you.
  • Some lane closures and a change in normal traffic flow.
  • Intermittent loud noise and vibration when we install shafts during sheet piling. This will take 1-2 weeks when we start at a new location, and 1-2 days when we pack up. See video below.
  • Other noise from machinery like saw cutting, generators and beepers when trucks reverse.
  • You'll notice that our traffic management team are around too, to make sure people, bikes and cars can move around safely.

We'll provide more information about impacts closer to construction when we finalise our design, permits and traffic management plans.

Don't miss these details

We'll be completing this project in stages and will notify each area prior to construction commencing. Information about the whole project can be found here.

You shouldn’t notice any change to your water or sewer services while we work.

When we’ve finished the job, we’ll leave things how we found them and make sure we return any areas we’ve impacted as close as possible to their original condition.

What is sheet piling?

In some locations, we need to install sheet piles to reinforce our drill pits. Sheet piles are sections of sheet steel with interlocking edges that are hammered into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support. Vibration hammers are used to install sheet piles, meaning you may experience periods of intermittent noise and vibration.

This noise and vibration won't happen throughout the whole works period. Usually it will be intermittently for 1-2 weeks when we start at a new location, then 1-2 days when we start to pack up.

Where we will be working

Frequently Asked Questions

We manage an infrastructure program which involves replacing, maintaining and upgrading the existing water and sewerage infrastructure above and below the ground, so you can always rely on us when you need a drink, a bath, to wash the clothes or dishes and every time you flush or send water down the drain.

 

There are more of us living in the Albert Park area now and, with potential storm surges, floods and extreme weather events from climate change, we need to make sure everyone is protected from sewage surges or overflows. Sewage surges or overflows happens when flooded sewerage pipes aren’t large enough and don’t have the pressure, to take sewage and additional storm water run-off to the local treatment plant.

We’ve awarded the contract to Zinfra, Jaydo, WSP Joint Venture (ZJW) 

South East Water and their appointed contractors will keep you informed about the project and construction in your area, and we’ll work with you to discuss your access needs before we start to build.

The new sewer pipes will be laid beneath the road or footpath, depending on the outcomes of geotechnical investigations and the location of utilities.  The pipes will be laid using trenchless technology, where shafts are dug, then bores are sunk, and pipes pushed through behind them. This is the best way to lay pipes in built up areas because it limits the disruption to the local community.

No, but please don't hesitate to call our 24/7  Faults and Emergencies team on 13 28 12 if you experience disruptions at any time.

Construction hours will be Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm. On the odd occasion we may need to work at other times, including night works, for safety or technical reasons. If we do, we’ll make sure we let you know in advance so you can plan accordingly.

We'll endeavour to make sure your driveway isn’t blocked during construction, but if it is, we’ll let you know beforehand, so you have time to organise alternative parking. But don’t worry. We will be around to help you get out of your driveway in an emergency. 

We'll speak with you in the lead up to construction to understand more about your deliveries, waste removal and customer access, and work with you to make sure these are not impacted. If we do need to block your driveway for a short period of time, we’ll work out alternative arrangements with you prior to works commencing.

Prior to construction commencing we’ll be in touch to understand more about your parking arrangements. We do apologise if local parking is impacted but will work to make sure this is for as short a time as possible.

When we’ve finished the job, we’ll leave things how we found them and make sure we return any areas we’ve impacted as close as possible to their original condition.

No. There is no cost to the property or business owner for these works. 

Need to get in touch?

We're here to help.

Albert Park Branch Sewer Upgrade

Contact us via phone

1800 330 129

Contact us via email

engagement@sew.com.au 

Contact us via post

Albert Park Branch Sewer Upgrade
PO Box 2268
Seaford VIC 3198

Translator Interpreter Service
All languages 03 9280 0779

 

National Relay Service (NRS)
TTY: 13 36 77 (ask for 131 851)