Maribyrnong Main Sewer Connection project

In Melbourne, a safe, clean and healthy environment is essential to our way of life. Our city is always changing with more people wanting to call Melbourne home. Without improvements and innovations, our sewerage network would reach capacity and our waste would impact on the health of our environment.

That’s why we’re building a new 1.2 kilometre sewer in the suburb of Maidstone to accommodate Melbourne’s growing population. Keeping our city healthy is essential to our way of life today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Why this project is important

This sewer is one of the main sewers in Melbourne Water’s sewerage network. The new sewer will:

• Provide a secure and reliable sewerage service for more than 86,000 people over the next 100 years
• Transport sewage to the Western Treatment Plant, located in Werribee
• Protect the Maribyrnong River by containing sewage flows.

What are we doing?

The new sewer will be built over stages, using a combination of construction techniques.

We have completed the first stage between Hampstead Road and Medway Golf Course in Maidstone.

This work included:

• Tunnel boring machine (TBM) – excavation of launch shaft to install TBM to dig 800 metres of sewer underground at approximately 30-40 metres deep
• Open cut trenching – the remaining section of the sewer will be constructed underground at a depth of 2-4 metres

Stage 2 to connect the new pipeline to the Maribyrnong Main Sewer (MRM) is currently on hold.
We are reviewing the proposed pipe-bridge design and an alternative tunnel option to carry the new sewer across the Maribyrnong River using the new flood modelling, to ensure there are no adverse impacts to the flood plain.

More information will be available in late 2025.

Site investigations

• We will be conducting investigative works to inform plans and designs for upcoming sewer network improvements at 12 Larwood Close (playground reserve) and along the Maribyrnong River Trail, between the pipe bridge and Canning Street, from Monday 13 October to Friday 31 October, subject to weather.
• Further investigations will be conducted from 17 November to 28 November along the Maribyrnong River Trail.
• The investigative works will involve soil and rock sampling using a small drill rig which will create some noise and vibration, but no odour.
• There will be increased activity in and around the reserve and the Maribyrnong River Trail on weekdays between 7am and 6pm.
• The works area will be cordoned off during the investigations for the safety of workers and the public.
• Please note that the playground will remain open and pedestrian access will still be available on the Maribyrnong River Trail. Cyclists there will need to dismount and walk past the work area.

Timeline