Wittenoom Street water pipeline

We are installing a new 340m underground water pipe through Wittenoom Street, between Bennett Street and Plain Street (including its intersections) to secure the supply of water in the City of Perth.

Work will commence in mid-September and is expected to be complete by early 2025.

The pipe will be installed on the Southern section of the street; however, the full street is considered a work area and will be closed (local traffic only).

When construction begins in mid September, the pipeline will be constructed via two methods, as below:

1. Open trenching. This will involve digging up roads and/or the ground. The pipe will then be laid in the ground and covered back over. This will be the method for the Wittenoom Street section.
2. Auger boring (trenchless technology). This will involve excavating two pits (map below)on each side of the highway, and then using machinery to drill under the highway. The new pipe will then be thread through the tunnel and connected to the other side. T

From 28 October, the drilling work will commence and is expected to take approximately 3 weeks. This construction method will minimise the traffic impact to Plain Street.

Heavy duty vehicles and machinery will be required during construction which will attract noise, vibrations, and dust in the area.

The project will commence at the Bennett Street / Wittenoom Street end (Stage 1) and will be delivered in stages of approximately 80m. Each stage is expected to take approximately 3 weeks. Below is a map that shows the approximate size of each stage.

Yes - Wittenoom Street (between Bennett and Plain Street) will be temporarily closed and accessible for local traffic only, as per our approved traffic management plan. Traffic detours will be in place within the broader East Perth area.

The project will start at the Bennett Street/ Wittenoom Street end (Stage 1) and will be delivered in stages of approximately 80m. Each stage is expected to take approximately 3 weeks (traffic detour maps below).

Once the pipe in Wittenoom Street is installed, the pipe will be connected to existing network at both Bennett and Plain Street intersections. This work is planned for early 2025 and will involve road closures. Further information regarding this work will be sent closer to the date.

We understand and appreciate that this causes temporary inconvenience and disruption, please follow onsite traffic management throughout the work to ensure the safety of road users and the community.

We anticipate each stage of the Street will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. Below is the estimated schedule and associated traffic detour maps.

Start date (approximate)	Stage (Approx. 80m sections)	Traffic Detour Map
16 September 2024	Stage 1 – Between Bennett and Leahy Walk	COMPLETE
October 2024	Stage 2 – Leahy Walk loop	COMPLETE
28 October – 1 November                     28 October – 18 November	Wittenoom Street work, between Bennett Street and Leah Walk                Drilling under Plain Street, from two sides of Wittenoom Street
Late 2024	Stage 4 – Final section until Plain Street
November - TBC	Bennett Street Connection	Map in development
Mid December	Final reinstatement work on Wittenoom Street
Mid December - TBC	Plain Street Connection	Map in development

The above schedule includes a Christmas shutdown period between 21 December – 5 January 2025. Throughout this time, work will be paused, and fencing will be removed temporarily.

As with any construction work, delays may occur once work commences. We will provide timely updates if we expect any significant change to the above schedule.

If you have any concerns, please contact us directly. 

Water Corporation undertook a comprehensive tender process to select its contractor, DM Civil. DM Civil are responsible for delivering the work under the supervision and approval framework of the Water Corporation.

The majority of work will be completed on weekdays between 7am and 5pm. However, some Saturday work will be required, but we will endeavour to keep it to a minimum.  Some weekend work may be carried out to shorten the overall time we are onsite or if there is an operational requirement.

As with any construction activities there will be an increase in noise and dust in the area from heavy duty vehicles and machinery.

Property access will be maintained throughout most of the work, however some properties will have temporary restricted access to their driveways for up to 1 day. If your property will be impacted, we will contact you in advance to ensure minimal disruption.

We understand and appreciate that this causes temporary inconvenience and disruption to the community, and we are committed to working with residents and businesses to minimise this as much as possible.

Construction will involve some noisy work, including road cutting (where required), excavating, and compacting.

Water Corporation follows a thorough reinstatement process to ensure all impacted areas are replaced like for like, where practically possible. Unfortunately, our work will result in unavoidable impact to roads and verges.

Once the new pipe is in the ground all open trenches will be backfilled, compacted, and reinstated. We will work closely with the City of Perth, residents, and businesses to ensure all reinstatements are carried out to an acceptable and high standard.

• Belinda Salvoni, Water Corporation Community Engagement Advisor, on (08) 9420 2144 or Belinda.Salvoni@watercorporation.com.au
• Wing Leung, Water Corporation Project Manager, at wing.leung@watercorporation.com.au or (08) 9420 2965
• Tessa McGrath, DMC Project Manager, at Tessa.mcgrath@dmcivil.com.au or 0438 364 426.