Fence installation

• Why do you need to replace the fence around Silvan Reservoir?

• Melbourne is one of the few cities globally where drinking water primarily comes from protected catchments, which provide some of the cleanest water with minimal treatment.

  Silvan Reservoir, classified as the highest category protected catchment, is now at risk due to its aging and compromised fence line.

  To safeguard this vital resource and meet our obligations to protect critical infrastructure, we must replace the current fence with a high-security barrier. This upgrade will significantly enhance our security, ensuring we continue delivering top-quality water without the need for extensive and costly treatment.

  For more information on water quality, visit our website to read about why Melbourne’s water tastes so great.

• Will the fence be installed in the same place as the existing fence?

• Yes. There may be some small adjustments (where we can avoid existing trees for example).

• What sort of fence will be installed?

• The new high security fence will be similar to other high security fences around Melbourne, including Melbourne Airport. A palisade fence will likely be installed along part of the alignment next to the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The terrain in this area is steep palisade fencing is easier to install on the gradient and will lead to less waste if the longer sections were to be used. There will be provision for CCTV at some locations and intruder detection devices (to be installed at a later date) to further ensure the fence keeps out unauthorised intruders.

• Will you need to remove or trim existing vegetation?

• Yes. A qualified arborist will determine if any vegetation that needs to be trimmed or removed. Our aim is to minimise vegetation removal. The fence needs a cleared zone on both sides of the fence for the fence to be effective in keeping the reservoir secure from unauthorised entry. Trees hanging over the fence, or growing too close to the fence will be trimmed or removed.

Access to the surrounding area

• I​s Melbourne Water aware of plans to build a shared path along Monbulk Road?

• We are aware of a long-held community desire for a shared path along Monbulk Road. In response the project team for the Silvan Reservoir High Security Fence project have met with Council and the MADCOW community group to discuss a possible future path. To date, Council has no firm plans or funding for a shared path along Monbulk Road.

  Melbourne Water is currently in the initial design phase of the Silvan High Security Fence project and will continue to work with Council to assess the viability of accommodating a path. In some areas, where the path would be located, there is considerable conflict between Melbourne Water assets, native vegetation and the roadway. These factors will also be considered in any decision.

• Will wildlife be able to cross the fence safely?

• We are working with a specialist to advise Melbourne Water on ways to enhance fauna crossings through the new fence.

  While we are still in the initial design stages to determine the nature of the fencing used, we do not intend to use razor/barbed wire.

  
  

• Why does the fence need to be so far from the reservoir? Why can't we access the bushland surrounding Silvan Reservoir?

• The land around the reservoir provides a further protective buffer to keep the drinking water reservoir protected.

• Why can't I access Silvan Reservoir directly?

• There is very limited public access to our protected catchments which protect the water quality at its source, meaning this water needs very little treatment. Melbourne’s protected catchments provide the majority of our drinking water.

  We protect our catchments through regular security patrols, CCTV and supplementary surveillance technology. Unauthorised access and activities within our protected catchments may be subject to a fine or prosecuted under the Water Act 1989 (Vic).

Water supply

• What are you protecting the water from?

• Every activity in a protected catchment poses a major risk to our drinking water supply. These include:

  • untreatable pathogens carried by humans, livestock and pest animals
  • contamination from camping and toileting
  • poo or urine from pets
  • sediment from disturbing soil around the catchment
  • rubbish left behind
  • pollutants carried by shoes or bike tyres
  • disease from animal carcasses
  • bushfires.
• What happens if there is a bushfire?

• Bushfires in our catchments impact the quality and quantity of our water. If ash or sediment is washed into a reservoir, we need to wait until the debris settles. We take preventative action to avoid bushfires in our catchments, including grass cutting, removal of excess storm debris, strategic planned burns, maintaining fire breaks and working closely with our catchment management partners.

• Where does the water from Silvan Reservoir go?

• Melbourne's water can be transferred all around the city to ensure continued water supply. Water from Silvan Reservoir can supply most parts of metropolitan Melbourne, and can store water transferred from Upper Yarra, O'Shannassy and Thomson Reservoirs. Silvan Reservoir typically services suburbs spanning from Emerald to Somerton and as far west as St Albans and Werribee.