This is a large and complex project, works are expected to start from early-June and continue through to late-November 2026. From June, a large freestanding scaffold will be built around the tower over a period of six weeks. The tower will then be cut into large sections and a crane will be used to remove the tower section-by-section.

By late November, we expect the tower to be removed.

During parts of the project, road closures are needed to ensure the safety of the public and workers. Road closures including Pakenham Street and part of High Street are likely to be in place from mid-June until late-November. Pedestrian access along the Pakenham Street footpath opposite the tower will remain open.

A lane of High Street, closest to the tower, will need to be closed during stages of the project which will result in southbound traffic being reduced to a single lane. Signage, detours, and traffic management will be in place during the works.

We understand these closures may affect how residents move around the area, access their homes, or go about their day. While we know this may be inconvenient, these measures are essential to ensure everyone’s safety while the tower is safely removed.

Proposed road closure map from Tuesday 9 June until late-November 2026

The height of the Echuca Water Tower (32 metres) along with the size of the crane required to safely remove sections of the tower determine the safety exclusion zone for the project.

During the works the exclusion zone will need to be in place resulting in southbound traffic on High Street being reduced to a single lane.

As the tower is reduced in height this exclusion zone may be able to be reduced.

We are taking steps to help minimise disruptions where possible. This includes installing shade cloth on the scaffolding to provide privacy and measures to reduce noise and dust.

Works will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. Occassional works may occur on Saturdays and be limited to between the hours of 7am and 3pm.

There will be some periods of increased noise, particularly during activities such as concrete cutting and the use of a crane to remove large concrete panels.

Residents and businesses in Pakenham Street between High Street and Hare Street will be most impacted due to their proximity to the tower, the safety exclusion zone and the project worksite. Part of this area will have pedestrian access only during the works.

There will also be traffic impacts due during the project due to detours being in place. Signage, detours, and traffic management will be in place during the works.

No. Now that new water supply infrastructure has been installed this water tower structure is now a redundant, disused asset and is no longer part of the active water supply network in Echuca.

Your water supply will not be interrupted during these works.

The Echuca Tower is on reserved Crown land. Coliban Water manages the land because it has been used for water supply, but Coliban Water does not own it.

At this stage there are no plans for Coliban Water to utilise the land into the future.

Provided this remains the case, once the tower is removed and the land is no longer needed for water supply, the reservation will be lifted and Coliban Water will no longer manage the land. At this point in time, it will sit at a state-based government department level.

Yes, we have considered other uses for the tower, or whether sections of the tower could be retained, however due to the results of the structural assessment and the expected ongoing deterioration due to the tower's age they are unviable. We need to prioritise and manage the tower's potential long-term safety risks.

Yes, works have happened across our region to remove decommissioned and disused assets to create safer work sites for our crews and contractors, including water towers in Serpentine and Pyramid Hill.

You can keep up to date with any works happening at the tower on this page or via our website at coliban.com.au.

Work on the façade of the tower began in 2024, with scaffolding and temporary fencing installed to ensure public safety.

Due to its age, we inspect the tower regularly to determine required maintenance and repairs. In October, we began additional works which included commissioning an independent structural assessment to guide longer term repairs and maintenance.

Other investments in the local water network mean the tower is no longer essential for the delivery of Echuca's water supply.

Considering the safety risks, and after exploring all other options, the decision was made in November 2025 to decommission and remove the Echuca Water Tower.

We are now preparing to remove the tower.

We are monitoring weather each day and completing visual and structural assessments to keep a close watch on any changes at the site. Immediate action would be taken if changes are identified.

There is currently temporary fencing around the site to ensure public safety from any falling debris given the age of the water tower.

We have also drained the water from the tower and removed it from Echuca’s water supply network.

While we are keeping a close eye on the Echuca Water Tower, we encourage you to contact us if you notice any signs of cracks or fallen debris.

You can contact us directly on 1300 363 200 or contact emergency services on 000.

We use the AIIMS structure to manage emergencies effectively. This includes:

• Incident Manager: will lead the response and make key decisions.
• Planning: will assess the situation, predict impacts, and develop action plans.

• Operations: ensure network services are running correctly, and work towards restoring services.

• Logistics: support will be provided for personnel, equipment, and community needs.

• Public Information: clear, timely updates will be shared through official channels to keep the community informed.

This structured approach ensures a coordinated, efficient response to protect lives and property.

We have held interagency meetings with:

• Campaspe Shire Council
• DEECA
• Victoria Police
• SES
• CFA
• Echuca Regional Health
• Department of Transport
• Vic Roads

In 2023 a significant $10 million upgrade project at the Echuca Water Treatment Plant was completed.

The works included the installation of two steel water storage tanks able to hold 3.3 megalitres of water along with new pumps, a pump station, and a new ultraviolet water filtration system.

The completion of the four-year project has improved capacity, storage, and disinfection at the plant, whilst ensuring Echuca’s security of supply.

This investment has put us in a good position to manage treating and supplying water to Echuca residents without the need of the Echuca Water Tower.

Across its region, Coliban Water manages infrastructure assets valued at $2.2 billion.

Each year, we develop an Annual Works Plan and roll-out planned maintenance to this property, plant, and equipment.

Our planned maintenance tasks are carefully developed and scheduled to regularly assess the condition of our assets, minimise the risk of failure, and maintain assets so they safely meet required levels of service.

The Annual Works Plan also covers maintenance completed by our service partner, ServiceStream, across:

• Water treatment
• Water reticulation
• Sewer treatment
• Sewer collection
• Recycled water

The Annual Works Plan is monitored and maintained through work order completion and planned maintenance feedback.

The Echuca Water Tower was completed in March 1915 at a cost of £2,973.

It is 32.9 metres high and can hold more than 680,000 litres of water when full at a height that achieves a consistent water pressure (head) of between 25 and 30 metres.

A revolutionary design for its time, it was built using 646 tonnes of reinforced concrete by the firm Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Co Pty Ltd (founded by Sir John Monash).

The Echuca Water Tower was originally connected to the steam-powered pumping plant at Echuca East and designed to bring tapped water to local homes.

Sir John Monash (1865-1931) was an Australian civil engineer and military leader.

Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest military commanders, he rose to become the highest-ranking officer in the Australian Army during World War 1.

After the war he had a distinguished civilian career, later becoming the manager of the Victorian State Electricity Commission where he was instrumental in developing Victoria's brown coal reserves, which led to the creation of the Yallourn Power Station.

The Echuca Water Tower was a notable early engineering project of Sir John Monash. Other engineering projects include Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, Princes Bridge, and Outer Circle railway line.

Coliban Water has managed the Echuca Water Tower since 1992. Prior to this the tower (and other local water and sewer assets) was managed by the local council.

We complete regular inspections of the tower as part of our ongoing repair and maintenance program, ensuring it remains safe and fit for purpose as part of Echuca’s water network.

Due to the fact it was built to different construction standards 111 years ago, we inspect the tower regularly to determine required maintenance and repairs.

Over the years, we have completed smaller-scale, non-structural work to the facade of the tower and a range of other upgrades to on-site equipment and infrastructure ensuring it has remained safe and fit for purpose.

With the Echuca Water Tower no longer part of Echuca’s water supply, we’re preparing for the next stage – the careful and safe removal of the structure. This is a large and complex project, with works expected to start from Tuesday 9 June and continue through to late-November 2026.

Because of the tower’s location, temporary road closures will be required on parts of High Street and Pakenham Street near the site. These closures are likely to be in place from Tuesday 9 June until late-November.

Initial works will involve the removal of nearby power lines and the installation of additional footings at the base of the tower. A freestanding scaffold structure will then be built to assist with the removal of the tower.

With the Echuca Water Tower no longer part of Echuca’s water supply, we’re preparing for the next stage – the careful and safe removal of the structure. This is a large and complex project, with works expected to start from early-June and continue through to late-November 2026.

Because of the tower’s location, temporary road closures will be required on parts of High Street and Pakenham Street near the site. These closures are expected to begin from Tuesday 9 June and remain in place until late-November.

Works will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, with some occasional work on Saturdays between 7am and 3pm. We will limit noise, dust, and inconvenience wherever possible, while keeping our team, contractors, and the community safe.

Scaffolding in place around the Echuca Water Tower is currently being removed. If you're passing the tower, you may see signage and additional temporary fencing. Please follow any instructions provided to ensure your safety while work is underway.

What to expect next?

We have received the final report of an independent structural assessment commissioned to evaluate the long-term safety of the Echuca Water Tower.

The report confirmed the tower is operating past its expected lifespan with structural issues likely to pose a future risk to Coliban Water staff, contractors, and members of the public.

Following engagement with external stakeholders the decision has been made to decommission the tower and plan for its removal.

In December 2025, we made temporary changes to the way the local water network operates and lowered the water level in the tower to less than 60%. Some customers may have experienced slightly lower water pressure since this time.

Work has started on a project to transform the Echuca water supply from an elevated storage to a direct booster pump system.

Work to install the direct booster pump system, including two new surge vessels, a back-up power supply, and upgraded controls is nearing completion. This will return water pressure to early 2025 levels and allow us to disconnect the tower from the supply network.

We are currently working on a series of projects to ensure community safety and the continuity of water supply in Echuca. As a result, you may experience some minor variations in water pressure over the coming months.

The projects include:

• Adopting new operating protocols including reducing the volume of water held in the tower.
• Implementing new works and operational approaches across the network to ensure adequate water pressure.
• Working closely with Campaspe Shire Council, CFA, SES, and Victoria Police.

Work is continuing at the Echuca Water Tower since our last update to neighbours.

The shade cloth has been removed from around the tower as we prepare to complete the following work in the next two to three weeks.

• Patching and repairs to the rendered exterior.
• Further structural assessments and surveying to guide longer-term repairs and maintenance.

We will evaluate the ongoing need for scaffolding based on the results of these assessments. We expect the scaffolding to be be removed in the coming months.

Safety signage, additional fencing, and the temporary footpath around the tower will remain in place.

Every effort will be made to keep noise to a minimum.

There will be no interruption to your water supply.

Today we will begin removing the shade cloth attached to the scaffolding at the Echuca Water Tower. There will be additional fencing and a temporary footpath around the tower for pedestrians to use.

Additional safety signage is in place alerting the community to beware of any falling debris given the age of the tower.

As part of routine inspections last year, we identified loose material on the outside of the Echuca Water Tower requiring removal and repair.

Scaffolding has recently been erected on site so our team can safely carry out required work. Temporary fencing is in place to ensure public safety.

We are working closely with Campaspe Shire and communicating regularly with those in the surrounding area.

There is no impact to Echuca's drinking water supply.

The tower plays a critical role, providing water pressure via gravity to the surrounding water network in Echuca.

Repairs will be carried out carefully to ensure minimal change to the existing appearance of the tower.

First constructed in 1915, the water tower is a piece of historic infrastructure that requires continual inspections, maintenance, and repairs as it ages. We inspect the tower every six months.

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