Sewer flows under CBD

THE twenty-five-million-dollar Ballarat sewer build has reached an important part in its progress with over four hundred metres of pipe installed under Peel Street, from Scott Parade to Little Bridge Street.

Central Highlands Water project manager Mick Dwyer said the organisations and contractors have been working on the crucial and challenging CBD section of sewer since April.

“This critical section through the Ballarat CBD was always going to be one of the most complex, due to the proximity of Peel Street businesses to the sewer path plus the difficult ground conditions beneath the surface,” he said.

“Our commitment has always been to keep roads open and traffic flowing for local businesses, and we are very pleased to announce that works are now finished in this area.”

Stage on of the the project, announced in February, will see six kilometres of new pipeline from Ballarat East to Ballarat South.

Much of the build has seen micro-tunnelling take place underneath intersections, however, attempts at Little Bridge Street were unsuccessful due to stable ground and CHW had no choice but to excavate.

“The need to change our approach at the Little Bridge Street intersection was unforeseen, even with the significant amount of investigation works completed prior,” said Mr Dwyer.

“We decided to complete the excavation works at night, to minimise impact on local traders and enable the intersection to operate as per normal during the day.

“We sincerely thank all businesses for their patience, as well as their input and feedback throughout construction.”

Central Highlands Water managing director Paul O’Donohue is pleased to see the important project making good progress.

“This major community infrastructure project builds on the legacy of those before us and will secure Ballarat’s wastewater future for another 100 years,” he said.

Works will now begin further down Peel Street, south of Little Bridge Street towards Eastwood Street.