Werribee Hangar 1 relocation and restoration

Hangar 1 is located on a parcel of land on the corner of Airforce Road and Princes Highway, Werribee. To support the development a P–12 independent school, as part of the Riverwalk Estate community infrastructure development, we will disassemble, relocate and reassemble Hangar 1 closer to Hangar 2 near the B-24 Liberator Museum and demolish the workshop at the Werribee Satellite Aerodrome site. 

Melbourne Water manages large areas of land across Greater Melbourne for operational purposes including water supply, sewerage, drainage and biodiversity. Some of this land can also be used for commercial and community uses. We are committed to enhancing livability for the greater Melbourne region, today, tomorrow and for generations to come. 

Project benefits 

• continued heritage protection at the new consolidated Hangar site,

• land will be made available for a new P-12 independent school within Riverwalk Estate, subject to planning approval,

• enhanced visitor experience at the B-24 Liberator Musuem Preservation of historic value with a renewed educational and tourism focus, and

• B-24 Liberator Museum will have a new entrance from Dutchelm Avenue via Farm Road.  

Scope of works 

The project involves: 

• Disassembly, relocation, and restoration of Hangar 1 next to Hangar 2 

• Numbering and restoring each piece before reassembly  

• Removal of the lower-heritage workshop. 

• Heritage registration removal from the old Hangar 1 and workshop site after relocation. 

 Site establishment 

Our delivery partners, Safety Focused Performance Joint Venture, will begin preparations for construction.  You may notice: 

• temporary fencing and site offices,

• site investigations (surveying, geo-testing, dilapidation reports, tree protection),

• a temporary vehicle crossing from Princes Highway for construction vehicles, and

• storage for plant, equipment and materials on a temporary laydown area. 

What to expect during construction 

We aim to minimise disruption, but during works, you may notice: 

• construction traffic: increased truck and machinery activity. Traffic controllers and a management plan will be in place,

• driveway access: we expect to maintain private property driveway access but will notify you in advance if a closure is needed,

• dust: water trucks and street sweepers will be used to minimise dust and transport loads will be covered,

• noise and vibration: some minor disturbances expected during excavation and machinery operations. We will work closely with the appointed contractor to manage noise impacts as much as practicable, and

• asbestos: we may encounter asbestos while we work. Removal will be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal company. An asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) will be developed to ensure that adequate measures are in place to minimise risk and to meet regulatory requirements. 

We appreciate your patience and support as we restore this important heritage site while building for the future of Werribee. 

Timing 

Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to-6pm and, Saturday 7am to-1pm. This is in line with EPA guidelines.  

Some night work will be required, and we will notify impacted residents and businesses before this happens.  

We’ll let you know if we need to carry out any urgent work outside these hours.  

Project timeline