Upper Darebin Creek sewer project
We are investing $9 million in critical sewer infrastructure to support more people moving into Melbourne’s north in the future – including Epping and Wollert.
By 2050, the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) predicts this northern growth area will be home to around 300,000 people, with 100,000 homes, and supporting around 80,000 jobs.
The new Upper Darebin Creek Sewer will go through three large properties (identified in the map below), nearby road reserves, and Darebin Creek.
Project timeline
The project’s timelines are:
- Late 2021 - Design completed
- May 2023 - Construction activities start
- Early 2024 - Construction expected to be completed
- Mid 2024- Sewer will be operational
Project updates
May 2022
In March, we started working with an Aboriginal owned and managed business, Have A Dig, to identify the potential impact that our excavation may have on culturally sensitive areas. We will then look at ways to avoid or reduce our impact on these sensitive sites. This cultural salvage program involves a combination of hand and mechanical archaeological digs to identify, record and preserve artefacts.
May 2023
We’re starting work to build a new sewer pipe to support growth in Melbourne’s north.
Starting in Maserati Park, the pipe will go under Darebin Creek to Lydgate Terrace and over to the corner of Chetham Street.
We expect the first section to take about 6 months to complete, subject to ground conditions and weather.
Work to complete the remaining pipeline through the new Elana Place development and north past the Boral quarry will continue into 2024.
Project design and approvals
Planning approvals
In March 2021, we worked with Whittlesea Council to establish the relevant planning permits to commence the project.
Environmental considerations
We are committed to work in harmony with the environment. When we design and construct the sewer pipe, we believe minimising impacts to Darebin Creek and the surrounding environmentally sensitive areas is paramount.
Between 2020 and 2021, we obtained approvals from Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) and Melbourne Water to construct the sewer.
Cultural heritage considerations
As part of the project’s design investigations, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) was developed for the land where the sewer pipe will be located. The CHMP was approved by the Registered Aboriginal Party for the area, which is the Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Conservation Cultural Heritage Council.
Community impacts
The Upper Darebin Creek Sewer’s construction activities will:
- not affect water and/or sewerage services in this area.
- not require us to enter residential properties.
When construction starts in May 2023, you may notice intermittent construction noise, dust, and vehicles using Lydgate Terrace and Ladislaw Drive (from Monday to Saturday). We will make every effort to minimise these impacts
Contact us
If you have any questions or feedback about the project, please contact Renu Adhikari, Project Manager, on 9872 2555 or email [email protected]