Melbourne Water makes a splash at Ozwater ’25

A Melbourne Water project team has won a national industry award in the category of Infrastructure Project Innovation for their work on the Hobsons Bay Main Upgrade Project, at an industry awards ceremony hosted by the Australian Water Association in Adelaide on Wednesday night. 

Melbourne Water and industry partner John Holland Group built a duplicate of the 1960s-era Hobsons Bay Main Sewer, which handles 30 per cent of Melbourne’s wastewater. 

The project involved the construction of a 670-metre tunnel under the Yarra River through challenging geological conditions. 

The project won a Victorian Infrastructure Project Innovation award last October, which qualified the team to attend Ozwater ‘25 as national finalists. 

The project was recognised for its sustainability, achieving net-zero emissions by using low-carbon concrete, powering site facilities with solar energy, and using carbon offsets. 

“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s ability to overcome significant engineering challenges while delivering this critical piece of infrastructure which will make a positive social impact for decades to come,” said Melbourne Water Senior Project Manager, James Le. 

"We can be rightly proud as an industry of our record of completing innovative programs and projects, and I offer my congratulations to the other award winners and finalists.” 

A Melbourne Water project team won in the same category last year, for the Eastern Treatment Plant Biogas Handling System Stage 1 Upgrade.

The team successfully maximised biogas conversion to bioenergy, as part of Melbourne Water's commitment to reaching net zero. 

Learn more about the Hobsons Bay Main Upgrade Project.

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