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We're duplicating Elwood Main Drain to improve drainage and reduce flooding in Elwood and Brighton by increasing the capacity of the drainage network.
The Elwood Main Drain Duplication project will provide an improved flood mitigation system with capacity for future stormwater flows whilst ensuring local amenity, environment, heritage and community interests are protected and enhanced during delivery of the project.
Why is this project important?
The Elster Creek catchment has a long history of widespread flooding, which has repeatedly affected Elwood and surrounding suburbs. This project will reduce flooding for Elwood and Brighton, with an improved stormwater drainage system and increased capacity to divert water during high rainfall, storms or floods.
What are we doing?
We're building 660 metres of new drain from Elsternwick Park to the Elwood foreshore.
The project also involves building:
- a new drain inlet in the south-west corner of Elsternwick Park (next to the existing inlet structure)
- a new outlet on Elwood Beach (which means doubling the width of Elwood Pier)
- a diversion structure in Elster Creek to direct floodwaters through the Elsternwick Park retarding basin
- maintenance pits above or next to the drain.
Project area
Timeline
Concept development: 2021 - 2022
We investigated the possibility of many different options for the location of the new drain, but the highly-developed nature of the area means that the available options are constrained.
The most feasible option with the least community impacts overall is to construct a new drain next to the existing Elwood Main Drain between Elsternwick Park and Port Phillip Bay.
Site investigations: 2022 - 2024
Site investigations include inspections of the existing drain, ground surveys and geotechnical investigations to inform the detailed design.
Detailed design, planning and approvals: Late 2023 - late 2024
We’re working with City of Port Phillip, Bayside City Council and other agencies in the planning, design and approvals for the project.
Construction: mid 2025 to early 2027
Construction is anticipated to start mid - 2025.
Reinstatement: 2027
Restoration of areas affected by our works.
Community benefits
Although flooding cannot be eliminated entirely, the Elwood Main Drain Duplication project will reduce flood risk for the Elwood community and help to address our future challenges of continued urban development and climate change impacts. The project will provide an improved drainage system with capacity for future stormwater flows whilst ensuring local amenity, environment, heritage and community interests are protected and enhanced during delivery of the project.
Managing impacts
We’re working with the City of Port Phillip and Bayside City Council to minimise large disturbances to our communities in Elwood and Brighton as much as we practically can.
Like any major project, there will be some disruptions during construction. These disruptions will vary in their timing, duration and degrees of impact. We’ve been speaking with people who will be the most affected, and we’ll continue to plan for and manage local impacts by working closely with councils, residents, businesses, Elwood Park sports clubs, Elwood Croquet Club and others.
Keeping you informed
We will inform the local community, impacted residents and businesses through a variety of communications and engagement activities. This will include signage, community newsletters and notifications, door knocks, social media and more. We'll provide more information, including the timing of activities, as the project progresses and more details become available.
Visit the project's Let's Talk page to view frequently asked questions, ask the project team a question and sign up to receive email updates.
Contact the project team
1800 841 444