By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Yarra Valley Water has signed a new nine-year agreement with Abergeldie and Service Stream to deliver reliable water and sewerage services to more than two million Victorians.
Under the contract, the partners will provide works that form part of Yarra Valley Water’s Reliability Program – this includes planned inspections, maintenance and renewals of water and sewer networks and associated network assets designed to support the health and wellbeing of customers, communities, and the environment.
Yarra Valley Water is the third largest water authority in Australia and manages over $6.2 billion in assets.
Through this program, the aim is to provide more reliable services to new customers in the northern growth corridor and expect to provide drinking water, recycled water and sewerage services to more than 160,000 new properties over the next 20-years in the north.
Yarra Valley Water Distribution and Growth General Manager, Bridie Fennessy, said the agreements have an initial nine-year term with the capacity to be extended up to 12-years.
“We’re excited to move forward with the Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure and Service Stream teams as we work together on our Reliability Program over the next decade,” she said.
“These new long-term partnerships reflect our commitment to deliver safe, reliable and affordable water and sewerage services, as well as providing a timely response if something goes wrong.”
According to YVW, from 2023 to 2024, it renewed nearly 32 km of ageing water mains and over 45 km of ageing sewerage pipes.
“This program is crucial because it supports our commitment to maintain and renew our water and sewerage network to keep up with Melbourne’s population growth.”
Ms Fennessy said the increased expertise generated by dual partnerships would ensure the smooth delivery of Yarra Valley Water’s Delivery Reliability Program.
“Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, and water is a vital part of our everyday lives. Through these partnerships, we’ll continue renewing and replacing ageing water and sewerage pipes and conducting ongoing maintenance across our network infrastructure,” Ms Fennessy said.
“We know that dealing with water and sewerage issues at home and work makes life harder for customers, and is inconvenient and unpleasant, so we work towards guaranteed service levels every day.”
“Our Reliability Program ensures we maintain high service levels and continue to deliver on our customer commitments – this is reflected in our high customer satisfaction ratings from April 2023 to March 2024.”
The agreement aligns with Yarra Valley Water’s 2030 Strategy, focused on reliable assets and services, to successfully deliver commitments made to customers in the 2023 to 2028 pricing period.
Abergeldie CEO Mark Bruzzone said the company is excited to continue its ongoing partnership with Yarra Valley Water.
“We are thrilled to be selected as one of two Delivery Partners to provide services as part of the Reliability program,” Mr Bruzzone said.
“Our success in being chosen reflects our commitment to Yarra Valley Water’s 2030 strategic goals, focusing on transforming around the customer and helping communities to thrive with initiatives that drive social outcomes and environmental excellence.”
As part of Yarra Valley Water’s Reliability Program, the partners will rehabilitate up to 50 km of sewer and water infrastructure every year.
Service Stream’s Program Director Water Reliability, Cameron Neales, also welcomed the partnership.
“We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Yarra Valley Water and support the accessibility of clean and reliable water and sewer services to more than two million people across Melbourne every day,” Mr Neales said.
