14 September 2009
$41 MILLION FOR FRANKSTON FLOOD PROTECTION
Melbourne Water has announced $41 million to build a stormwater drain to help improve drainage in Frankston and provide increased protection from flooding.
Project Director, Phil Corluka, said that as a low lying area of Melbourne, Frankston is subject to serious flooding during severe wet weather.
“The Frankston Drainage Improvement project has been designed to significantly reduce the incidence of flooding in the city’s central business district,” Mr Corluka said.
“The project will involve the construction of a 1.5 km underground drainage pipeline starting at the Monash University Peninsula Campus car park and ending at Kananook Creek.”
“Tunnelling will take place up to 10 metres underground with a tunnel boring machine used to cut through sandy clay. The machine will excavate a 3 metre outer diameter tunnel to house the new concrete stormwater pipeline.
“Melbourne Water helps protect properties from flooding by advising developers and local councils of flood levels, and by investing millions of dollars a year in inspecting and maintaining the drainage system.
Mr Corluka and the Frankston City Mayor, Colin Hampton, helped to launch the start of site-works on the project in Beauty Park today.
“Asset renewal is a major priority of this Council and we are very pleased that Melbourne Water is undertaking this important project, which will prepare Frankston for future flood events and create a significant number of employment opportunities,” Councillor Hampton said.
The project will create up to 50 jobs during construction.
Four temporary work shafts will be built along the route of the pipeline including one in Beauty Park, which will serve as the project’s main site base.
The Frankston Drainage Improvement project is being constructed by the Pipelines Alliance, a partnership between Fulton Hogan, Jaydo, GHD and Melbourne Water.
The project is expected to be completed in early 2011.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford - (03) 9235 1587; 0400 690 502