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Melbourne Water has launched a new stage of a major upgrade at the Maroondah Reservoir, the third of a five-stage program to increase the amount of water delivered from the reservoir to Greater Melbourne by 20 per cent.
Built in the 1920s near Healesville, Maroondah Reservoir supplies about 200 million litres of drinking water to Melbourne each day. Key elements of the system, including the outlet tower and sections of the aqueduct, are approaching the end of their serviceable life and will be replaced to ensure water quality and supply resilience.
The Maroondah Stage 3A project will deliver a new outlet tower and approximately four kilometres of a new, underground, closed pipeline, with works to start around mid-2029. Melbourne Water has begun early engagement with local communities to gain their insights as it commences early works including site investigations, planning and functional design.
Melbourne Water Executive General Manager of Service Asset & Lifecycle, Matthew Daley, said the project formed a critical part of Melbourne Water’s long-term strategy to renew the historic Maroondah Aqueduct System.
“This upgrade is about making sure Melburnians can rely on safe, high-quality water. We’re taking action now to keep this critical water infrastructure reliable and resilient for the future,” Daley said.
The existing section of the aqueduct runs through densely forested and hilly terrain. Consequently, the route for the new pipeline has been chosen to balance and minimise environmental impact and community disruption, avoiding major tree removal and road closures wherever possible.
Construction works will need to occur on a small number of private properties along the route and Melbourne Water has started direct discussions with affected landholders.
The heritage-listed Maroondah outlet tower will be decommissioned and retained as a preserved landmark through remedial works that maintain its heritage values while ensuring it is no longer operational.
Melbourne Water will continue working with the directly impacted residents, community groups, traditional owners and other statutory stakeholders as project planning progresses.
Construction is scheduled between mid-2029 and mid-2032, subject to approvals and detailed design. Stage 3A forms part of a progressive program to renew the 27-kilometre Maroondah aqueduct system, following earlier stages completed in 2009 and 2017.
For more information on the project, visit Replacing Maroondah Reservoir outlet tower and aqueduct | Melbourne Water
