Mirboo North Rising Main Replacement

Project background

The Mirboo North rising main is a pipe that transfers treated water from the Mirboo North water treatment plant up to the township of Mirboo North. Without it, the town would have no access to mains water. The Mirboo North rising main is over 70 years old, and in the last few years it has failed five times. The existing water main is located underground. It runs beside and underneath the Strzelecki Highway, from the Mirboo North water treatment plant up to the town.

About the project

The existing pipe has reached the end of its expected life, so rather than continue to patch up leaks and bursts;

Gippsland Water will replace the entire pipe in a new location. Replacing the pipe in the roadway is not ideal. It was originally installed one metre away from the road, but over time the Strzelecki Highway has been re-aligned several times and in some places covers the existing pipe to a depth of up to three metres.

What are the benefits?

Replacing the rising main will:

• Make Mirboo North’s water supply more reliable

• Reduce traffic disruptions whenever maintenance or repair work is needed

• Reduce safety hazards to Gippsland Water staff and contractors.

How will the environment be protected?

Our staff and contractors have completed ecological and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage field surveys and assessments along the proposed alignment between Little Morwell River and the Grand Ridge Rail Trail. This work assists with project planning to ensure that our construction footprint will avoid and minimise any harm to native vegetation and protect cultural heritage.

Will there be any impacts on the community?

There will be works within the Strzelecki Highway road reserve which will lead to delays during the construction phase of this project. Gippsland Water will notify the community well in advance. There will also be some minor disruptions to the water supply for properties along the Strzelecki Highway during the construction phase. All affected customers will be contacted beforehand, and kept informed when the time comes.

When will it be completed?

The project is currently in the detailed design phase, with works expected to be carried out over summer and autumn in the 2019-2020 financial year. Replacement of the Mirboo North water main was approved by the Essential Services Commission as a key project for delivery in Gippsland Water’s 2018-2023 price submission.

Community information session

Project experts will be available to discuss the project with residents at the upcoming Mirboo North Community Forum on 6 May 2019 at the Mirboo North RSL.