12 April Update
Works are progressing on the Barwon Heads sewer upgrade.
This month we are finishing the installation of the Stage 1 temporary sewer pipeline. (See the project map below for details)
Upcoming road closures:
Geelong Road/Carr Street intersection: From Monday 29 April to Friday 10 May 2024 Geelong Road will be closed between the Carr Street and Geelong Road intersection and prior to the intersection of Seaview Avenue and Geelong Road, Barwon Heads. Seaview Avenue will be accessible from Geelong Road. See the map below for details.
Altered traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of both road closures. Access to private properties for residents and emergency services will be maintained. If we need to temporarily restrict vehicle access to driveways during the works, we’ll doorknock and let you know. Traffic controllers will be on site to assist you.
From mid/late May to August 2024, there will be rolling road closures on Geelong Road between the Barwon River and Sheepwash Road (see below for details). We will soon confirm the exact dates of all upcoming road closures and what to expect, to provide as much notice as possible and allow you to plan ahead. We will also have Variable Message Signs (VMS) with flashing messages to provide prior warning of traffic impacts where possible.
SPEED ZONES: We know the lowered speed zone can be frustrating. Unfortunately to temporarily raise this again, we would need to complete another full risk assessment for VicRoads and submit a new Traffic Management Plan. With a large increase in traffic movements ongoing, the decision to retain the lowered zone was made for the safety of workers and vehicles using Barwon Heads Road.
About the project
Barwon Water is upgrading the existing sewer pipeline between the Barwon River and Barwon Heads pump station on Barwon Heads Road.
This critical project is part of our ongoing commitment to providing high quality, secure and affordable water and sewerage services to the Barwon Heads community.
To ensure there is no disruption to the sewerage pipeline network during the life of the project, a temporary sewerage pipeline, known as a bypass, will be created. The temporary pipeline will ensure continued high quality sewer services while works to upgrade the existing pipeline are undertaken. This will be constructed along Geelong - Barwon Heads Road between the pump station and the Barwon River. See map below for the location of the bypass.
Installation of the temporary sewer pipeline will begin in March 2024, followed by construction of the upgraded sewer pipeline. Construction activities are expected to go for approximately nine months, depending on the weather, and are scheduled to conclude in late 2024.
The renewal of the pipeline will take place in stages along the Geelong – Barwon Heads Road.
Project area map
Why does the pipeline need to be upgraded?
This pipeline is a very important piece of sewerage infrastructure, in that it takes sewage from Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff to the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Breamlea.
Community members might recall that in late 2021 this pipeline failed unexpectedly, leading to an emergency response and complex repair works to ensure a reliable sewerage service continued.
Investigation into the leak identified issues in the main requiring that it be replaced.
This project will upgrade the damaged pipeline and ensure we can continue to provide high quality, secure and affordable water and sewerage services to the Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale communities.
What to expect during construction
Construction activities will occur Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm. If Saturday work is required, it will take place between 7am and 1pm. If night works are required, impacted residents will be notified in advance.
During construction, there will be some local impacts. Barwon Water apologises for this inconvenience, and we will aim to minimise impacts to the local community. Below is some helpful information to be aware of.
Construction area
All construction activities will take place within the road reserve, some private properties (these property owners are aware of the works) and in some locations, the road itself. Temporary fencing and/or traffic management will be in place to ensure public and worker safety during construction. Please be mindful of construction vehicles entering and exiting roads along the construction area.
Construction materials will be stored in two locations of the Barwon Heads Community Park:
- Between Barwon Heads Bowling Club and the tennis courts
- Scout Hall car park
See the project map above for details.
We apologise for the disruption at the community park and will minimise impacts as much as possible.
Works on the sewer main replacement will need to be carried out in two stages:
- Barwon River to the Barwon Heads Road /Sheepwash Road intersection
- Barwon Heads Road/Sheepwash Road intersection to the Barwon Heads Sewer Pump Station (1939 Barwon Heads Road).
The temporary pipeline will be laid in the Community Park, under the road itself (resulting in partial lane closures) and within the Barwon Heads-Geelong Road reserve. (See the project map above for details)
Traffic impacts
During works, there will be some altered traffic conditions including:
- reduced speed limit around work areas
- single lane closure at times
- road closure at times with detours in place
- increased truck and construction vehicle movements in the area
To support vehicle access to various locations (including Village Park), the temporary pipe will be laid under key access points/driveways.
Barwon Water will confirm details, dates and times for these altered traffic conditions and encourages the local community to allow extra time to complete journeys safely.
Stage 1 traffic impacts: Rolling road closures
The existing sewer pipeline is located underground, in the middle of Geelong Road (between the Barwon River and intersection of Sheepwash and Geelong Roads).
To safely remove the existing sewer pipeline and replace with the new pipeline, we will need to carry out the works in sections. This means that during the pipeline replacement works, each section of pipeline we replace will require Geelong Road (between the Barwon River and intersection of Sheepwash and Geelong Roads) to be closed to traffic in both directions.
Traffic management will be on-site, and detours will be in place.
To minimise disruptions to the local community we are planning to work in small sections at a time (please see map below).
The main sewer pipeline replacement works are scheduled to begin in mid/late May. Stay tuned for further details.
Map showing rolling road closure sections
Schedule of rolling road closure
The below information provides an outline of how the rolling road closures will work:
Section 1 | Between the Barwon River and Seaview Avenue will be closed. |
Section 2 | Between Riverside Terrace and Hitchcock Avenue will be closed. |
Section 3 | Between Hitchcock Avenue and the Kindergarten entrance will be closed. |
Section 4 | Between the Kindergarten entrance and halfway past Jasper Avenue will be closed. |
Section 5 | Between halfway from Jasper Avenue and Sheepwash Road will be closed. |
It is anticipated that the section closures will take 2–3 weeks to complete. Construction timings will be dependent on weather and the condition of the existing pipe. Barwon Water is aiming to complete the work as safely and swiftly as possible.
Closed bus stops during works
The bus stops along Geelong Road (Seaview Avenue/Geelong Road, Harry Blythe Field/Geelong Road and Barwon Heads Tennis and Athletics Club/Geelong Road) will be relocated temporarily during rolling road closures. We are working closely with bus companies and Department of Transport and Planning to determine the temporary locations of the bus stops and these will be shared with the community once confirmed.
Bus stops shown in map below:
1 Seaview Ave/Geelong Rd
2 Harry Blyth Field/Geelong Rd
3 Barwon Heads Tennis and Athletics Club/Geelong Rd
4 Knox Drive/Carr St
5 Knox Drive/Carr St
6 Taits Rd/Carr St
7 Taits Rd/Carr St
Location of bus stops on map
Maintaining private property and emergency services
Access to private properties for residents and emergency services will be maintained throughout the works. In the event we need to alter any access to private property driveways, Barwon Water will be in contact to discuss this, ahead of any works commencing.
Noise
There may be some increased noise, dust and vibrations. Barwon Water will aim to minimise impacts to residents.
Site facilities
A temporary site office is on private property near the Barwon Heads Sewer Pump Station on the Geelong-Barwon Heads Road.
Caring for the environment
Barwon Water has conducted flora and fauna assessments along the route of the temporary bypass pipeline to ensure minimal disruption to native plants and animals during construction.
Some trees and vegetation will need to be trimmed to enable the safe construction of the pipeline. Trimming will be undertaken by a certified Arborist, and an ecologist will be on site during trimming if impacts on wildlife are considered possible.
Your sewer services
Prior to renewing the existing sewer line, a temporary bypass will be constructed. This means your sewer services will not be interrupted by these works.
