Works require river exclusion zone - Fyansford
09 Jun 2026
A suspended water main that crosses the Barwon River in Fyansford will be dismantled and removed to reduce public safety risk and allow the area to reopen.
Following a condition assessment that identified a range of structural issues, Barwon Water has now determined that this existing 65-year-old water main will not return to service.
A contractor has been engaged to safely dismantle and remove the overhead structure, using cranes that will operate from both sides of the river.
These emergency works to dismantle and remove the pipework and suspension bridge will begin in late June and are expected to be completed by early July.
After these works are complete and the area is made safe, the exclusion zone will be lifted and on-water activities can resume.
The pipe on this bridge has been drained and taken offline without impacting customers’ water supply, with local services being redirected through other feeds in the network.
Situated to the east of the Barwon and Moorabool junction, this operational structure provided services to parts of the north-west of Geelong.
Built in 1961, the bridge was partially upgraded in the 1980s, extending its service life without replacing the load-bearing cables.
Assessments are underway to determine the best long-term replacement, with Barwon Water considering the potential delivery of a water main that passes underneath the river.
Putting pipeline under river is a safe and reliable solution, as it removes the need for an exposed structure and reduces risk to community and environment, compared to suspended crossings.
The future of the tower structures – which do not form part of the current emergency works – will be considered as part of the recovery and replacement assessments.
Investigations into this proposed approach are continuing and will be subject to planning and regulatory processes.
A temporary exclusion zone was introduced around the suspended water main in mid-May.
Fencing was installed around the tower areas on both sides of the river, while physical barriers were placed on the water to advise river users not to pass underneath it.
15 May 2026
Barwon Water is preparing to carry out essential works on a suspended water main in Fyansford.
A structural assessment has identified issues with the 65-year-old structure that need to be rectified.
To ensure public safety as we remove the risk posed by the structure and undertake the necessary works, a temporary exclusion zone has been implemented on the Barwon River.
This section of river is to the east of the Moorabool and Barwon junction. Access along the adjacent walking / cycling paths will be maintained.
The structure is solely used to support the water main across the Barwon River and is not accessed by the public.
It can be taken offline without impacting customers’ water supply or pressure, with local services being redirected through other feeds in the network.
