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We're holding two community drop-in sessions where you can learn more about the future of the Echuca Water Tower. We look forward to seeing you there.
Wednesday 11 March 2026
11am - 1pm
Mercure Port of Echuca, 465 High Street
Wednesday 18 March
4pm - 6.30pm
Mercure Port of Echuca, 465 High Street
Can't make it on the day
We're here to help. If you have any questions or feedback please call 1300 363 200 during business hours or email coliban@coliban.com.au.
From a height of 32.9 metres, the Echuca Water Tower has provided water pressure for locals for 111 years.
Its innovative design was the vision of Sir John Monash. Construction commenced in July 1914 and was completed in 1915. The tower was built using 646 tonnes of concrete by Monash's Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Co at a cost of £2,973.
The tower was originally connected to the steam-powered pumping plant at Echuca East, bringing tap water to local homes for the first time.
Due to its age, and the fact it was built to different construction standards, we inspect the tower and complete regular maintenance and repairs.
The first evidence of structural issues was discovered during work to the facade of the tower in 2024. Scaffolding and temporary fencing was installed at this time for public safety.
We commissioned an independent structural assessment to help guide the future management of the tower. This assessment found the tower has exceeded its expected lifespan and that current structural issues, and expected ongoing deterioration, are likely to pose a future risk to staff, contractors, and members of the public.
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. In the meantime, we have adjusted the way we manage the local water network to ensure we continue to provide reliable water pressure for the community.
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:
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.
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.
More history about the tower can be found here.
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.
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.
We discovered signs of structural issues during routine maintenance on the facade in September 2024. At this time scaffolding and temporary fencing was installed for public safety.
In October 2025, we received the results of an independent structural assessment, which determined the tower is now operating past its expected lifespan and has significant structural issues posing a potential future safety risk to the community and our team.
The decision to decommission and remove the Echuca Water Tower is disappointing as we recognise the significance of its age and history to the local community.
However, with the safety of the community and our team the priority, we feel there is no other option but to remove the tower.
Yes, we have considered other uses for the tower or whether sections of the tower can be retained. However, expected ongoing deterioration means these options are not viable and pose an unacceptable safety risk over the long-term.
Yes. As part of our management of the region’s water and sewer networks, we have removed or decommissioned a range of assets to create safer work sites for our crews, contractors, and/or the local community.
Recently we have removed water towers in Serpentine and Pyramid Hill.
Work will continue on-site from April 2026 to prepare for the safe removal of the tower. Pedestrian exclusion zones, traffic management, and temporary road closures will be used to ensure safety.
We expect the work to remove the tower to occur toward the end of 2026. Scaffolding and a crane will be used to remove the tower section-by-section over a period of two to three months.
There will be machinery noise during the removal process. All work will be completed on weekdays during daytime hours and every effort made to reduce noise and dust.
Each day our Operations Team monitors weather conditions and we complete regular visual and structural assessments to monitor for any changes. Immediate action will be taken if changes are identified.
A range of operational changes due for completion during March 2026 will allow us to remove the tower from the local water supply network.
Temporary fencing will remain in place to ensure public safety.
No. Ongoing investment in Echuca’s water network means the Echuca Water Tower is no longer required to deliver water pressure.
Work started in November 2025 to transform the Echuca water supply from an elevated storage to a direct booster pump system. This means water pressure will be delivered using a direct pump system, which incorporates two new surge vessels, back-up power supply, and upgraded control panels.
While this work was underway, some customers may have noticed reduced water pressure from time-to-time. With work completed in March, water pressure should now return to early 2025 levels.
In recent years we have also completed a $17 million water and wastewater upgrade. This included a $10 million program of upgrades to the Echuca Water Treatment Plant, including the installation of two steel water storage tanks to hold 3.3 megalitres of water, new pumps, a pump station, and new ultraviolet water disinfection system.
We also invested $5 million to build new storage tanks and booster pumps in Echuca West.
| We manage water and sewage infrastructure 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
assess the condition of our assets, minimise the risk of failure, and to ensure
they can safely meet required levels of service. Our Annual Works Plan also covers maintenance completed by our service
partner, Service Stream, across:
The Annual Works Plan
is monitored and maintained through work order completion and planned
maintenance feedback. |
We use the nationally recognised Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) to manage emergencies. This includes:
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.
You can keep up to date with any works happening at the tower on this page or via our website at coliban.com.au.
We have held interagency meetings with the following agencies and we will continue to work with them throughout the project:
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.
Did you know? Sir John Monash appears on Australia's $100 note.
We acknowledge and respect Victoria Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to being a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families.
1300 363 200
Email coliban@coliban.com.au
National relay service 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 200
