FAQs
How do you know the pipe needs replacing?
This water main renewal in Avalon is part of a wider program by Sydney Water that aims to assess the condition of our pipes across Greater Sydney to get information about which pipes need to be repaired or replaced. This ongoing program reduces leaks and breaks and helps maintain a reliable good quality drinking water supply.
The existing water main in Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon was built in 1949 and is one of these mains that has been identified as being at the end of is lifespan and needs replacing having had multiple breaks over the past 5 years. It is one of our larger water mains, known as a critical water main, supplying over 5000 customers.
How will the new water main be installed?
We’ll use two types of construction methods to install the new water main – open trench and tunnelling.
Open trench
We’ll install the new pipe in Section 1 using the open trench method. Each night, we’ll dig a trench, lay the water main, backfill the trench, and temporarily restore the road. We’ll repeat this process as we move from The Crescent to Dunbar Park. The work will be done during our night work hours and take about 22 weeks to complete.
Tunnelling
We’ve found technical challenges in Section 2, including other buried services, soft ground, and high groundwater. We’ll use a tunnelling method to install the new water main in this area. This involves digging entry and receival pits at either end, and installing the main by tunnelling between the two points. The work will be done during our day work hours and should take about 12 to 16 weeks.
How will the work be staged?
Our work is planned to start in March 2025 and is expected to finish in October 2025. weather and ground conditions permitting.
We’ll have two crews working at the same time for so that Section 1 (night work) and Section 2 (day work) can be done together. This helps us finish more work in the quieter months and avoid the next summer peak season. The below image provides an overview of how we will stage this work.
We’ll start night work on Section 1 first and we’ll write to you again to confirm when the second crew will start on Section 2.
After the new water main is installed, we’ll do final connections, clean, and prepare the new pipe for use. Once that’s done, we’ll pack up and restore any areas affected by our work.
The final connections and restoration work is usually less disruptive and should take about 12 weeks to complete. This part of the work will also be done at night.
What are your night work hours?
Most of our work will be done at night to reduce the impact on daytime traffic flows and local businesses.
Night work hours will be used on Old Barrenjoey Road between The Crescent and Dunbar Park (‘Section 1’ see map above).
Our night work hours are 8 pm to 5 am, Monday nights to Friday mornings (four nights a week). We won’t work Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights.
What are your day work hours?
Some of our work needs to be done during the day in ‘Section 2’ (see map above).
Our standard day work hours are 7 am to 6 pm, weekdays and 8 am to 1 pm, Saturdays (occasionally, if needed). We won’t work Sundays or public holidays.
What traffic changes will be in place
- this section of Old Barrenjoey Road will be one-way (southbound only), with traffic directed around our work area via the carpark next to Woolworths
- on-street parking on this section of Old Barrenjoey Road will be restricted for the duration of the tunnelling work
- all parking in the Council carpark next to Woolworths will remain free for use.
Traffic changes - Section 1
In Section 1, we’ll need to temporarily close part of Old Barrenjoey Road where we’re working at night.
Our friendly traffic controllers will maintain access for residents, and parking on either side of our work zone. General traffic will be detoured via connecting streets.
At the end of each night shift, we’ll restore the road so it can be used as normal during the day.
We’ll need up to borrow up to eight parking spaces for equipment storage next to our work area. This storage area will move along the road as we progress.
Traffic changes - Section 2
Our work area will be very space-constrained during the tunnelling work in Section 2.
We won’t be able to pack up our work areas at the end of each shift. This means that these traffic changes will be in place 24/7 for the 12 to 16 weeks while we work in this area.
An overview of the traffic and parking changes for Section 2 is shown on the map below.
What can I expect?
- in the grass reserve next to the carpark near Woolworths
- a storage area in the parking lane (eight spaces used) that follows as we work progressively down the road for Section 1.
- in the grass reserve opposite Avalon Primary School.
Noise
There will be some noise from our equipment and machinery during the work. When working at night, we will finish the noisiest work (e.g. saw cutting or jackhammering) by midnight, minimise vehicle movements and avoid unnecessary loud noises where possible.
Impact to your services
Your water services may be temporarily interrupted on four or five separate nights during off-peak hours. If you are affected by this shutdown, you will receive a separate letter with more information.
Temporary laydown areas
We’ll need three temporary storage areas to support these works including:
Restoration
We’re working closely with Northern Beaches Council to plan this work. We’ll temporarily restore the road to allow for continued use. When work is complete, we’ll liaise with Council to complete permanent restoration.