Mirboo North Rising Main Replacement

Project background

The 4km long 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.

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.

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 on a new alignment.

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?

We have completed ecological and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage field surveys and assessments along the proposed alignment between Little Morwell River and the Walter J Tuck Reserve. This work assisted with project planning to ensure that our construction footprint will minimise any harm to native vegetation and protect cultural heritage.

The alignment and construction of the main was also based on extensive community consultation. In key locations of the project, we’ll be using underground boring rather than open trenching to minimise disturbance on surrounding vegetation and facilities.

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 alignment during the construction phase. All affected customers will be contacted beforehand, and kept informed when the time comes.

When will it be completed?

The majority of the works will be carried out over summer and autumn in the 2019-20 financial year.

Community fact sheet

Click this link for to see our project fact sheet.