SA Water has commenced installation of its largest trunk water mains in over a decade, laying new 1,200mm-diameter pipes across Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
More than 3.5km of new main have already been installed across four sites, with current works focused on a 2.4km stretch under Petherton Road in Davoren Park.
The pipeline will connect to Elizabeth North, boosting network capacity to service the $3 billion Riverlea development – a future home for around 40,000 people.
“This is a monumental moment in our mission to build more homes,” said Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion.
“For the first time in more than a decade we are installing 1200mm diameter pipes, which will build capacity in the system and enable future growth.”
A second construction crew has begun laying pipe along Woodford Road in Elizabeth North, with both teams progressing towards a central meeting point at the Gawler rail line near Broadmeadows Station.
To cross under the railway, crews will use horizontal directional drilling – installing a 36m sleeve beneath the track to avoid service disruptions. The section will also be double-encased for added protection in the event of a leak.
The works are part of the State Government’s $1.5 billion water and sewer infrastructure investment under the Housing Roadmap, which is designed to unlock up to 40,000 new allotments statewide. Riverlea alone will eventually comprise around 12,000 homes.
This first tranche of works represents a $419 million investment, with completion targeted for early 2026.
A second $772.2 million tranche – recently tabled in Parliament – will fund 12 additional projects, including 10km of new trunk main to further support Riverlea, and water and wastewater infrastructure for housing growth areas in Angle Vale, Onkaparinga Heights and Virginia.
Crews are expected to break ground on these additional projects from late 2025.
