We investigated the feasibility of multiple alignment and location options for the new drain, but the highly developed nature of the area means that the available options are severely constrained. The most technically feasible and cost-effective option that has the least impacts to the community overall is to construct a new drain next to the existing drain, which does mean that there will be impacts to the Elwood Croquet Club.

The clubhouse is located within the path of where the new drain needs to be built. To protect the new and existing drains, no built infrastructure can be located on top of them due to their shallow proximity to the ground’s surface and their weight capacity limits. The clubhouse and playing courts will unfortunately need to be demolished, and a new clubhouse and courts will be built.

What happens next

We have met with the Elwood Croquet Club together with City of Port Phillip to talk about the project and work through what this means.

The design and build of the new clubhouse and playing courts will be led by City of Port Phillip and supported by Melbourne Water. The Elwood Croquet Club will be consulted to inform the design.

City of Port Phillip and Melbourne Water are currently working hard in the background to investigate options to support the club’s operations during construction of the project.