We are restoring a heritage-listed culvert in Mollison Street, Malmsbury. This culvert is on the Coliban Main Channel which transfers water from Malmsbury Reservoir to the Bendigo and Castlemaine water treatment plants.
The culvert is in poor condition and poses safety risks. Completing these works will enable the ongoing use of a critical Coliban Water asset, whilst repairing and preserving a heritage-listed place.
The restoration will involve dismantling the end walls, sureing up the foundations and retaining walls behind it and then rebuilding it using the original material.
To complete the restoration, we are planning to remove 10 metres of non-native vegetation on either side of Mollison Street. We will also maintain 640 metres of vegetation along the channel. We have applied for a planning permit to remove the vegetation.
These works will be completed after the rural season has closed on 8 May 2026.
Planning permit application
We’re planning to remove non-native vegetation as part of renewal works on the heritage-listed culvert on the Coliban Main Channel near Mollison Street, Malmsbury. A planning permit application to remove the non-native vegetation has been submitted to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
This permit will help us complete renewal works by providing access to the area where rehabilitation works will be completed.
As part of Council’s period of public advertisement, you can review the proposal and provide feedback through the Macedon Ranges Shire Council website.
Frequently Asked Questions
A planning permit is a legal document that allows a certain use or development to specific land, which is only approved by council when all requirements are met.
We have submitted a planning permit application to remove the non-native vegetation. This will allow us to access the culvert sites.
We are still finalising a timeline and waiting for approval of our planning permit application.
The Macedon Ranges Shire Council reviews all feedback received and makes a decision after the 14-day advertising period has closed.
If the permit is approved, we will complete the works this year after the rural water season has closed.
Removing vegetation will allow access to renew the heritage-listed culvert and end walls on each side of Mollison Street.
We will remove about 10 square metres of non-native vegetation on either side of the channel to allow access for our works.
We will also maintain about 640 metres of vegetation on each side of the channel.
All native vegetation in the area will be identified before works start and be protected via an exclusion zone.
Renewing the culvert will involve dismantling the end walls, installing concealed concrete retaining walls and reconstructing the culverts with the original material to match their existing design and in their original location, in accordance with the Heritage Permit.
