Work starts in mid-2026
What we’re doing
| 1 | We’re moving 250 metres of new construction to the north side of the existing drain |
| 2 | New pier, housing outlets for both drains, remains on the preferred south side |
| 3 | New inlet structure remains next to existing in Elsternwick Park |
| 4 | Throttle (diversion structure) at Elwood Canal |
Process
Throughout September to December 2025, we worked with JH-KBR JV to challenge the construction methodology:
- how each section will be built
- the sequencing of works
- traffic management
- how we minimise impacts on residents and the broader community.
The area beyond the intersection of Ormond Esplanade and St Kilda Street into Elsternwick Park is very constrained and no further design changes were possible.
Benefits and impacts
Moving to the north means we can maintain pedestrian access along Head Street to:
- The Bay Trail
- Shared connections to foreshore paths and beaches on either side of our worksite at Elwood Pier
- Elwood Lifesaving Club
- Elwood Bathers
- Lady Foster Kindergarten.
Major impacts to some homes and a road closure have been avoided, along with some disruptive service relocation works.
We will continue to work with Bayside City Council (BCC) on how to proceed with the future of BCC local drainage on Head Street, outside of the Elwood Main Drain Project.
Where
impacts are unavoidable, we will be fair and reasonable in
reaching agreements with stakeholders, communities and residents.
This is a complex project
The new drain is big, with two dual-cell pipes (4m wide x 2.5m high) set inside culverts about the same size as 4 lanes of an Olympic swimming pool at the deep end.
We’re working in dense urban and highly used marine environments, from the Elwood foreshore to Elsternwick Park.
It’s essentially the scale of a level crossing removal - for water.
Concrete culverts and sheet piling
What to expect
We’ll make every effort to minimise the impact of these essential works on the local community and the environment.
Trees and shrubs
We understand the importance and value of trees and plants to local communities. However, the removal of trees and vegetation is unavoidable.
We’ve gone through a careful design process to avoid impacts to significant native vegetation and will provide further information on the trees and vegetation to be removed. We will obtain the relevant permits from Bayside City Council and City of Port Phillip.
Replanting and landscaping
Once works are complete, we will replace lost vegetation by replanting in the local area and rehabilitate disturbed areas in accordance with plans approved by City of Port Phillip and Bayside City Council. More information on tree planting and landscaping works will be shared with the community as the project progresses.
When are works happening?
We’re working on updates to permits, construction timelines and procurement for this complex construction project and will be ready to start in mid-2026.
Some site investigations and early works have begun. Services (power, internet, gas and sewer) need to be relocated to make way for the new drain. The service authorities and their contractors will commence the service relocations in March 2026.
Minimising community impacts
To improve community outcomes and the experience of residents living close to construction, we’re focusing on:
- talking to people face-to-face
- being transparent about the nature of our works and impacts
- seeking community input
- identifying, managing and mitigating community and stakeholder issues and impacts
- ensuring we are aware of the issues that cause disruption to the local community and residents where we’ll be working
- establishing clear expectations about how much disruption communities should expect.
We will work closely with construction teams to mitigate impacts where possible and where impacts are unavoidable, we will be fair and reasonable in reaching agreements with stakeholders and residents.
We’ll be reaching out to have more detailed conversations with directly impacted residents, businesses, sports clubs and community groups over the coming weeks.
Why this project is important
In Melbourne, rain, storms and floods are a natural part of our weather cycle. As our city and suburbs grow, we face more challenges than ever to ensure the rainfall that falls on the ground, flows through the landscape and is safely carried away from built up areas into rivers and creeks.
This project was developed from an investigation into flood mitigation options in and around Elsternwick Park, which was a key initiative under the Elster Creek Catchment Flood Management Plan (2019-2024).
Frequently asked questions
The City of Port Phillip has developed a masterplan for the Elwood foreshore to ensure it meets the demands of a growing community and a changing climate. This will be implemented over the next decade.
We’re working in partnership with the City of Port Phillip to ensure our projects are integrated and achieve the best possible outcomes for the community.
It is likely that the Elwood Main Drain Duplication project will be completed before the implementation of the Elwood Foreshore Precinct Masterplan begins.
For more information on the masterplan, visit the City of Port Phillip website.
Bayside City Council is transforming the former Elsternwick Park golf course into a natural oasis to bring nature back into the urban area, providing refuge and tranquility for both wildlife and visitors. The new wetlands and water bodies will improve the quality of water flowing into Port Phillip Bay and provide a diverse habitat that, along with new trees and vegetation, will encourage native wildlife back to the area.
Melbourne Water and Bayside City Council are working closely together on the planning and design of a new wetland system (southern area of Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve) to ensure our projects are integrated and complement one another.
For more information on the Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve project, visit Bayside City Council's website.
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