About the project
Barwon Water is upgrading the existing Melbourne to Geelong pipeline (MGP) to help safeguard year-round water supply to customers under dry conditions. The planned upgrade works will ensure Barwon Water can continue to provide high quality, affordable and secure services to our customers.
The pipeline
The MGP is an underground pipe connecting Geelong’s storage basins (at Lovely Banks) with Melbourne’s water supply network (at Cowies Hill, west of Werribee).
The MGP is one of several important back-up water sources that can supplement the existing water supply system in response to dry conditions. Accessing these back-up sources is part of a balanced approach to managing water resources and providing greater water security as our region's population grows.
Construction
Construction began in late-2024 and will be completed by spring 2025. Construction activities will occur Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm. If Saturday work is required, it will take place between 7am and 1pm.
During construction, there will be some local impacts. We apologise 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.
Construction sites include:
- Ballan Road low lift pump station in Wyndham Vale
- Lovely Banks pump station
- Pettavel Basins in Mount Duneed
- Montpellier basins in Highton
- Multiple sites where thrust blocks and pipe replacement works will take place.
Please be mindful of construction vehicles entering and exiting roads along the construction area.
Traffic impacts
During works, there may be some altered traffic conditions.
Barwon Water will confirm dates and times for any altered traffic conditions and encourages the local community to allow extra time to complete journeys safely.
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.
Caring for the environment
Some trees and vegetation will be removed or trimmed as part of these works. Barwon Water has conducted detailed flora and fauna assessments to ensure minimal disruption to native plants and animals during construction.
Your water supply
Some properties connected to Barwon Water’s network may experience disruptions to their water service during the works. If this impacts your property, you will be notified with further information.
Lovely Banks existing pump station building. Photo taken March 2023.
Latest News
In late-November 2024, Barwon Water started works at the West Werribee Dual Tank Site in the road reserve fronting 1000 Cobbledicks Ford Road, Wyndham Vale 3024.
As part of these works, please note:
- There will be a temporary change in traffic conditions around the Ballan Road and Cobbledicks Ford Road intersection in December 2024 and March 2025. This includes a road closure on Cobbledicks Ford Road, as well as traffic management and reduced speed limits. We encourage you to plan ahead and allow extra time to complete journeys safely.
- During construction there may be increased noise and dust. We will aim to minimise impacts to local residents.
- Construction works will take place during business hours (between 9am and 4pm) during the week (Monday to Friday).
- During these works, there will be no interruptions to water or sewerage services.
Starting in early December 2024 until October 2025, Barwon Water will be commencing construction works at the Lovely Banks pump station site fronting 602 Anakie Rd, Lovely Banks.
As part of these works, please note:
- There will be a temporary change in the traffic conditions on Anakie Rd, such as traffic management and reduced speed limits. Heavy trucks turning off Anakie Rd may require assistance from traffic management controllers. We encourage you to plan ahead and allow extra time to complete journeys safely.
- During construction there may be increased noise and dust. We aim to minimise impacts to local residents.
- Standard working hours for our planned construction works on site will be between 8am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-1pm on Saturday (only by exception).
- During these works, there will be no interruptions to water or sewerage services.
Between late-January 2025 and August 2025, construction works will occur to upgrade pipework and pump infrastructure at the Pettavel Basins site at 210-240 Reservoir Road, Waurn Ponds.
Initial work will involve hammering through rock and rock crushing which can cause a significant amount of noise and dust. While we will aim to manage the impacts of this, we acknowledge that the work will take at least four weeks and apologise for this disruption.
As part of the MGP related work, please note:
- During construction there will be increased noise and dust, as noted above. We will aim to minimise impacts to local residents and businesses.
- Standard working hours for our planned construction work on site will be between 7am-5 pm Monday to Friday and 7 am-1 pm Saturday.
- Access to private property for local residents, businesses, and emergency services will be maintained at all times.
- Minor traffic management may be in place when large trucks are entering and exiting the site along Drayton Road.
- Properties with temporary disruptions to their water service as part of these works will be contacted directly.
Barwon Water will be conducting early investigation works that will require the exposure of the pipeline in the road reserve between Tarneit Road and the north end of Holstein Crescent.
These works will begin on Tuesday 18 March and last 1-2 days.
As part of these works, please note:
- During the investigation works, there may be increased noise and dust created because of hydro-excavation activity. We will aim to minimise impacts to local residents.
- There will be large trucks parked close to the works site.
- Works will take place on weekdays between 7am and 6pm.
- During these works, there will be no interruptions to water or sewerage services.
Between early-April 2025 and August 2025, construction works will occur to upgrade the infrastructure at our Montpellier Basin sites at 124 and 125-223 Scenic Road, Highton.
Initial works may involve hammering through rock over 3-4 days in mid-April, which can cause a significant amount of noise and dust. If rock hammering is required, we will aim to manage the impacts of this and apologise for the disruption.
As part of these works, please note:
- Construction activities will occur Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm. If Saturday work is required, it will take place between 7am and 1pm.
- During construction there may be increased noise and dust. We will aim to minimise impacts to local residents and businesses.
- Access to private property for local residents, businesses, and emergency services will be maintained at all times.
- Minor traffic management may be in place when large trucks are entering and exiting the sites along Scenic Road.
- There’ll be no interruptions to water or sewerage services as part of these works.
