South East Water’s major upgrade to parts of the Port Melbourne sewer network is underway, supporting population growth as part of Australia’s largest urban renewal project, Fishermans Bend.
The $40 million critical infrastructure works involve extending the current sewer network to facilitate the future relocation of a major sewer pump station on Salmon Street, Port Melbourne.
The future pump station will be 11m deep, replacing the existing 100-year-old pump station which currently sits within a traffic island, posing a significant safety risk.
The crews are using innovative methods like microtunnelling to install new pipes deep underground, minimising community disruption and keeping traffic flowing above while we work below.
This three stage project includes relocating a 100-year-old pump station currently sitting in a traffic island and extending the sewer network to support 80,000+ future residents by 2050.
South East Water’s industry partner Beca, Fulton Hogan & Interflow Joint Venture (BFHI) is undertaking the works which will be delivered in 3 stages.
Stage 1 is nearing completion with the installation of new sewerage pipes.
South East Water General Manager Charlie Littlefair said the upgrades were essential to keep up with future demand on the sewerage network in the area.
“By 2050, Fishermans Bend is expected to house around 80,000 people, so renewal projects are essential to increase the capacity of the sewerage system to take away more waste for more people.
“Our crews are now excavating shafts and installing pipes using a process called microtunnelling.
“The machine is lifted into the ground and pushes so slowly that it can barely be seen to be moving – all while Salmon Street traffic is flowing above.”
South East Water expects Stage 1 to be complete in early 2026.
Stage 2 which includes building the new pump station is in the design phase. Stage 3 will involve decommissioning the old infrastructure.
The Salmon Street project will continue into 2027 when the current pump station is decommissioned.
Do you have news for the international trenchless industry? Contact journalist Gerald Lynch at gerald.lynch@primecreative.com.au
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