Water and Wastewater

Sunbury Outfall Sewer Duplication

Location
Sunbury, Victoria
Value
$5.6 million
Client
Greater Western Water
Status
Complete
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About the project

BMD Urban upgraded the Sunbury Road outfall sewer, a critical infrastructure project designed to support the rapidly growing population north of Melbourne. The project has improved service reliability for future developments and reduced long-term maintenance and repair costs by replacing aging infrastructure.

The project involved duplicating the existing Sunbury outfall, originally constructed in the 1970s. Spanning almost 1 kilometre, the work included installing dual pipelines from Powlett Street in Sunbury to the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant.

As the first contract awarded by Greater Western Water, this significant project replaced a 50-year-old concrete sewer line at risk of failure. Early engagement with the client allowed BMD to mitigate risks by adjusting the pipeline alignment and adopting alternative construction methods. A temporary bypass pumping system, capable of handling up to 1000 litres per second, ensured minimal disruption and accelerated completion.

The BMD Urban team overcame challenges such as unstable ground conditions, deep excavations in restricted corridors, live sewer work, and groundwater management, delivering the project on time and within budget while maintaining exceptional safety and quality standards.

Scope

The scope of work for the Sunbury Road outfall sewer upgrade was delivered in two phases:

Powlett Street to Jacksons Creek:

Connected two new DN618 GRP sewer pipes to an existing maintenance hole upstream

Connected a DN1100 GRP sewer pipe to an existing maintenance hole downstream

Constructed five new maintenance holes and coordinated the transition to the new line using a live sewer bypass


Harker Street to the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant:

Connected a DN1100 GRP sewer pipe to an existing maintenance hole upstream

Connected another DN1100 GRP sewer pipe to an existing maintenance hole within the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant downstream

Completed embankment construction, including installing galvanised steel posts and native landscaping

Built five new maintenance holes, coordinated the transition to the new line via live sewer bypass, and relocated Greater Western Water’s stormwater infrastructure

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Innovations

Conducted pipeline inspections using CCTV and laser ovality measurement to ensure structural integrity and enable quick defect remediation.

Used Propeller’s 3D modelling to overlay designs onto existing layouts, resolving service clashes early and enhancing coordination.

Deployed sewer bypass technology with real-time monitoring, ensuring precise control during high-risk operations.

Improved safety and efficiency with cutting cradles for secure handling of large pipes.

Used battery-operated bevelling tools for precise cuts on PVC and GRP pipes, ensuring accurate joint applications.