Sewer investigation works in your area from November 2025

 

South East Water will be installing a new sewer main in South Melbourne and Southbank as part of the South Melbourne Sewerage Upgrade. 

NIGHTWORKS THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY SOUTHBANK & SOUTH MELBOURNE

As part of investigation works, which commenced on Monday 16 February, our delivery partner BFHI will be conducting nightworks in Southbank along City Road, Clarke and Kavanagh Streets. 

We've now scheduled reinstatement works for Thursday 26 February, depending on the weather. This will also be done at night. 

They'll also need to work at our site compound at 34 Tope Street, South Melbourne to help us complete this work. Working hours are between 7pm and 5am. Night works help us maintain a safe environment for pedestrians, road users and our project team. We'll work as quickly as possible to minimise disruption. 

What we're doing

This project will involve installing a new underground sewer pipe and maintenance holes running from the corner of Stead Street and Palmerston Crescent, South Melbourne and heading north up Tope Street and ending near the corner of Clark Street and City Road, Southbank. Works will also include a proposed sewage pump station on Market Street, South Melbourne. 

This essential project will increase the capacity of the sewer network to cater for population growth and future proof the sewerage system. Please see map below: 

When it's happening

Investigation works for this project (stage 2) will start in November 2025. We anticipate investigation works to take around eight months to complete with construction commencing in mid-2026. Our standard working hours will be Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm and Saturday 7am to 5pm, weather permitting. We anticipate some work will need to be completed as out of hours night work for permit and safety reasons. Investigation works will involve the following activities:  

  • A small team of construction personnel conducting visual inspections.
  • Drilling small holes to collect soil samples to understand ground conditions.  
  • Locating underground services using ground penetrating radar and non-destructive digging.   
  • Visual inspections of trees and shrubs to identify potential construction impacts. 

We have appointed our delivery partner Beca Fulton Hogan Interflow (BFHI) to complete investigation works for us. 

Where we'll be working:

South Melbourne Sewer Upgrades

Project Overview

What you might hear and see

Frequently Asked Questions

We manage an infrastructure program which involves replacing, maintaining and upgrading the existing water and sewerage infrastructure above and below the ground, so you can always rely on us when you need a drink, a bath, to wash the clothes or dishes and every time you flush or send water down the drain.

BFHI will undertake these works on behalf of South East Water.

No. If you experience any disruption to your water or sewerage services please call our 24/7  Faults and Emergencies team on 13 28 12.

During these works we may need to block your driveway access. If this is necessary, we will notify you in peron and where possible, provide at least 24 hours' notice so that alternative parking arrangements can be made.

To safely undertake these works, traffic conditions may change so please take care when travelling around the construction sites. 

When we’ve finished the job, we’ll leave things how we found them and return any areas we’ve impacted as close as possible to their original condition.

There is no cost to the property owner for these works. 

Documents

Need to get in touch?

We're here to help.

South Melbourne Sewer Upgrade - Stage 2

Contact us via phone

1800 728 256
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Contact us via email

southmelbourne@sew.com.au 
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Contact us via post

South Melbourne Sewer Upgrades
PO Box 2268
Seaford VIC 3198

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TTY: 13 36 77 (ask for 131 851)