M4 Water Main Renewal Project
What we're doing
We'll use a construction method called slip lining, which involves installing a new pipe inside the existing pipe. This approach helps reduce construction impacts and time spent working in the area.
Work timing and hours
Works are expected to start mid-October and be completed by mid-November 2026.
Working hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 am to 5 pm
- Saturdays: 7 am to 2 pm (if required).
What you need to know
- Safey fencing, barriers and traffic controllers will be in place.
- Footpaths will remain open.
- Workers, construction vehicles and machinery will be in the area.
- There may be temporary noise, dust and vibration.
- We don’t expect any interruption to your water or sewer services.
- You may notice reduced water pressure, this is normal and temporary.
- Works will be delivered by our contractor MFJ Constructions.
What you need to do
- Follow all road and detour signage.
- Place your bins out as usual on collection night.
Traffic and parking changes
Trafic changes
- The inner southbound (citybound) lane on Holmes Street between Mitchell St and Albion St, will be closed 24-7 during the project.
- Southbound traffic will flow via the southbound tram tracks.
- Mitchell St and Albion St will stay open.
- The intersection between Balmoral and Holmes will be closed, except to residents of Holmes St
Local traffic impacts
Residents on Holmes Street between Mitchell and Balmoral Avenue
- Vehicles can enter and exit via temporary access points near Mitchell St and Balmoral Ave.
Residents on Holmes Street between Balmoral Avenue and Albion Street:
- Vehicles cannot enter via Holmes St.
- Must access via the detour: Albion St → Inverness St → Balmoral Ave → Holmes St
- Can exit via temporary access point on Holmes St.
Residents on Balmoral Avenue, Lyndhurst Cresent, Inverness and Alsace Streets:
- Vehicles cannot turn onto Holmes St from Balmoral during working hours.
- Access will be available via Inverness St, Alsace St or Lyndhurst Cres onto Albion St.
Parking
Parking will not be available on the eastern side of Holmes St between Mitchell and Albion St.
Download map of Holmes Street works (PDF, 3768KB)
Contact us
Construction enquiries
Michael Nathanielz
[email protected] or 9852 0300
Project enquiries
Aaron Kee, Yarra Valley Water
[email protected] or 9872 1627
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours will you be working?
• 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
• 7 am to 2 pm, Saturdays (if required).
Will there be noise or other disruptions?
There may be temporary noise, dust and vibration.
Will my water or sewer services be interupted?
No.
We don’t expect any interruptions to water or sewer services during these works.
Why are you renewing this water main?
The M4 Water Main has been supplying water to Melbourne’s inner north for more than 100 years and is nearing the end of its service life.
Renewing approximately 4.9 kilometres of water main will improve network reliability, reduce the risk of service interruptions, help prevent the loss of precious drinking water and ensure a resilient water supply for the future.
Do you have any updates on when the main works will start?
The main construction works are currently planned for delivery in two distinct stages:
- Lygon Street, Brunswick East: expected to start around mid-2027
- Nicholson Street and Elizabeth Street, Coburg: expected to start around mid-2028
Timing may change as planning progresses, and we’ll continue to provide updates as more details are confirmed.
Project updates
July - September 2026
May - August 2026
July 2024
We've checked the condition of the existing M4 water main under the Bell Street bridge. To do this, a section of the Merri Creek Trail was closed overnight between Harding Street and De Chene Reserve, Coburg.
We had people at key locations to direct pedestrians and cyclists to an alternative route along Nicholson Street to cross Bell Street at the traffic lights.
This detour was planned for Thursday 18 July 2024 from 9 pm until 5 am on Friday 19 July 2024.
The map shows the detour off the Merri Creek Trail at Harding Street, back to Nicholson Street.
January 2024
See our list of investigations completed in early 2024 below:
- 1 Inner Circle Rail Trail and Park Street, near the McIlwraith Street intersection
- 2 Chambers Street, near Brunswick Road
- 3 Ewing Street, north of Brunswick Road
- 5 Blair Street, near the Glenlyon Road intersection
- 13 Barrow Street, north of Moreland Road
- 14 Barrow Street, near The Grove intersection
- 15 Barrow Street, near the Rennie Street intersection
- 16 Barrow Street, near the Harding Street intersection
- 17 Gladstone Street, north of Harding Street
- 18 Younger Street, near the Bell Street intersection
- 19 Elizabeth Street, north of the Bell Street intersection
- 20 Elizabeth Street, between Raymond and Hope streets
- 21 Elizabeth Street, south of Murray Road
- 22 Elizabeth Street, north of Murray Road.
Map of water main investigations
November 2023
See our list of investigations completed in late 2023 below:
- 4 Ewing Street, near the Cocoa Jackson Lane intersection
- 5 Garden Street & Glenlyon Road, near the intersection
- 6 Glenlyon Road & Blair Street, near the intersection
- 7 George Street, near the Albert Street intersection
- 8 Blyth Street, near the Nash Street intersection
- 9 Blyth Street, near the & Errol Avenue intersection
- 10 Barrow Street and Harding Street
- 11 Victoria Grove, near Albion Street intersection
- 12 Barrow Street, near Donald Street intersection
- 13 Barrow Street, south of the Moreland Road intersection
- 15 Barrow Street and The Avenue, near the intersection
- 16 Barrow Street and Hardwick Street.
M4 water main early investigations_November 2023