Yarra Valley Water invests for the future

Yarra Valley Water is investing over $2.6 billion as part of its five-year plan to provide essential water and sewerage services for a growing Melbourne. 

Victoria remains the fastest-growing state in the country with the Victorian Government’s Victoria in Future 2023 report, predicting its population will reach 10.3 million by 2051.

Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Growth and Distribution, Bridie Fennessy, said it’s crucial that we continue to build infrastructure to service this growing community for generations to come. 

“More than 30% of Victorians rely on our services every day. We service some of Melbourne’s most rapidly developing suburbs, including those in the Northern Growth Area.” 

The Buttress Crescent water pump station and pipeline is one example of Yarra Valley Water’s projects to secure water supply for the future. 

The $6 million project involved building a new water pump station and 1.8 km pipeline in South Morang to support increased demand and ensure a reliable water supply network to the Mernda reservoir.

“As one of Melbourne’s major growth areas, it’s going to need a lot of water for new people moving into the area,” Ms Fennessy said. 

The pump station, located near the intersection of Buttress Crescent and McArthurs Road, transfers water into the new pipeline and up to the Mernda Reservoir.

This project has also provided an opportunity to preserve some of Melbourne's first engineered water supply system, with a section of the new pipeline crossing the historic Yan Yean Water Supply system – a state-listed heritage site dating back to 1853.

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Water Archives.

The original pipeline rested on an old bluestone base of the Morang aqueduct. The 150-year-old bluestone base was a key feature of Melbourne's water supply system at the time. 

“Preserving Melbourne’s heritage and restoring this pipeline ensures it will continue to contribute to the liveability of our beautiful city for generations to come,” Ms Fennessy said.

Yarra Valley Water’s commitment to investment in infrastructure is set out in its 2023-28 pricing submission, approved by the Essential Services Commission.

The new pipeline has been designed to meet growing water demands and improve reliability of supply in the northern suburbs, while freeing up capacity to transfer more water to the western suburbs.

“Replacing and renewing aging infrastructure is a key part of our commitment to ensure a reliable water supply, now and into the future,” Ms Fennessy said.