Take care around Mirboo North water main construction

Work to replace and realign an aging water main in Mirboo North has begun.

Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming said the $2.9 million Gippsland Water project would improve the reliability of water supplies to the township and reduce the risk to the Strzelecki Highway from water main breaks.

“This is an important project that will provide significant savings in the long term,” Ms Cumming said.

“A large part of the old pipeline travelled under the highway, meaning that any breaks or leakages affected the highway as well as water supply to our customers in Mirboo North.”

Ms Cumming said the alignment and construction of the main was based on extensive community consultation, ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

“In key locations of the project, we’ll be using underground boring rather than open trenching to minimise disturbance on surrounding vegetation and facilities,” Ms Cumming said.

The 4km route of the new water main runs from the water treatment plant near Lyrebird Walk, along beside the highway, before crossing into open land, and through the golf course and the recreation reserve to link in with existing town water pipes near the start of the rail trail.

Ms Cumming urged locals and passers-by to take care while the works take place.

“We’ll be working in and around the Strzelecki Highway at times until the middle of the year, and we’re asking motorists to please pay attention to changing traffic conditions, during this time,” Ms Cumming concluded.