Barwon Heads sewer works to start in 2024

WORKS will start next year to upgrade the sewer pipeline in Barwon Heads between the Barwon River and the town’s pump station on the Geelong and Barwon Heads roads.

Last week, Barwon Water announced it had made progress on its plans for the $9.5 million project, which is needed to prevent sewer spills in the future, protect the environment and maintain reliable sewerage services.

“This pipeline is a very important piece of sewerage infrastructure, in that it takes sewage from Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliffe to the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Breamlea,” Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming said.

“Community members might recall that in late 2021 it failed unexpectedly, leading to an emergency response and complex repair works to ensure reliable service continued.

“Since the failure, Barwon Water has undertaken detailed investigations into the failure, designed a replacement and allocated significant funding for its upgrade to prevent a similar incident in the future.”

He said work on the pipeline was planned to begin in February 2024 after the peak summer holiday period.

“The construction works are complex and will require an aboveground temporary sewer pipeline to be installed before the main works begin.”

A temporary pipeline will be laid to ensure continued high-quality sewer services while upgrades to the existing pipeline are completed.

Works on the sewer main replacement will be carried out in two separate locations.

The first stage of works will be from the Barwon River to the Barwon Heads Road and Sheepwash Road intersection, with the second stage to be from the Barwon Heads Road and Sheepwash Road intersection to the town’s sewer pump station at 1939 Barwon Heads Road.

The temporary pipeline is likely to be laid next to Village Park and Geelong Road and on the Barwon Heads-Geelong Road reserve.

Some parts of the temporary pipe may be placed on the road itself, resulting in partial lane closures, or within the road reserve.

To support vehicle access to various locations, including Village Park, the temporary pipe will be laid under existing access points and driveways.

Barwon Water says the position of the temporary pipe is still being finalised and will be shared over the coming weeks.

Construction activities are expected to go for about nine months, depending on the weather, and scheduled to conclude in late 2024.

“We appreciate these works are going to have an impact on local residents and businesses, the Village Park and visitors to Barwon Heads,” Mr Cumming said.

“We will be out and about in the local community over the coming months, sharing information about the project in local newsletters and with local community groups. We’re keen to hear from the community to ensure our construction activities have as little impact as possible.

“We will do all we can to minimise impacts and keep the local community informed throughout the project.

“We thank the local Barwon Heads community for their support during our project investigations and development.”

For more information, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/barwon-heads-sewer