Elwood Main Drain Duplication

Working in close collaboration with Melbourne Water, the City of Port Phillip and Bayside City Council, Touch Projects is managing and delivering the Elwood Main Drain project with a particular focus on negotiating land access agreements. 

The Elster Creek runs through Elwood, and its catchment has a long history of flooding due to its low-lying position. Storm surges from Port Phillip Bay also cause flooding from Elwood Canal. This is a highly developed urban area, with continuing development expected, along with the added impacts of climate change. After much intensive investigation, it was determined that the most feasible and cost-effective option with the fewest community impacts would be to duplicate the existing main drain. This will mitigate potential flooding through improved drainage capacity and stormwater management. 

The approach to building the new drain is to utilise pre-cast culverts, installed with an open trench method due to the shallow position of the existing drain. Additionally, works include a new inlet next to the existing one in Elsternwick Park; doubling the width of Elwood Pier to accommodate a new outlet on Elwood Beach; a diversion structure in Elster Creek to direct floodwaters through the retarding basin in Elsternwick Park; and maintenance pits above or next to the drain.

Benefits of the upgrade will be less flooding downstream of Elsternwick Park through improved drainage and higher capacity, reduced annual damages of $2.5 million, improved community safety through reduced flood risk, and reduced impacts to properties subject to flooding.

This is a highly complex project, requiring careful planning and design to ensure it is delivered safely and efficiently. Interfacing with myriad stakeholders has also been key, including councils, the Environment Protection Authority, project delivery team, and local residents, businesses and sports clubs. Every step has been taken to ensure that works integrate with the masterplans for Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and Elwood Foreshore, and to minimise disruptions to the community as much as possible.