Under the contract, John Holland will employ a tunnel boring machine (TBM) to tunnel beneath the Yarra River from Port Melbourne to Spotswood.
The John Holland Group has been awarded a contract to carry out one of the largest upgrades to Melbourne Water’s sewerage network, creating over 20 jobs in the process.
The $200 million project will duplicate the Hobsons Bay main sewer, which is responsible for carrying more than 30 per cent of Melbourne’s wastewater to the Western Treatment Plant (WTP).
Works on this important upgrade will begin at Scienceworks early next year and the project is due for completion in 2024.
Tunnelling beneath the Yarra is expected to take place between March and August 2023.
Minister for water Lisa Neville said this vital project highlights the state government’s commitment to delivering essential water infrastructure to support the city’s growing population.
“This sewer, originally built in the 1960’s and which runs under the Yarra River from Westgate Park in Port Melbourne to Spotswood, is integral to the Melbourne sewerage network,” Neville said.
Neville added this significant investment will ensure the reliability of Melbourne’s sewage service for the next century – and also create local jobs.
Melbourne Water’s general manager major project delivery Eamonn Kelly has congratulated John Holland Group on being successful after an extensive tender process.
“We’re delighted to announce John Holland Group has been selected as the preferred contractor to carry out this important project as part of our overall upgrade to the Hobsons Bay main sewer,” Kelly said.
“Once the duplicate sewer is complete it will allow flows to be diverted from the original pipeline.”
John Holland executive general manager infrastructure Andrew English said the company was proud to continue its long-term partnership with Melbourne Water.
“This will benefit millions of Melbournians and importantly, create opportunities for people to join our industry,” English said.
The project will partner with Melbourne Water to create two annual scholarships and ongoing employment for Aboriginal university students, and 12 traineeships and apprenticeships.
For more information visit the Melbourne Water website.