Young Street drainage improvements

We’re improving the drainage channel in the Council-managed reserve between Young Street and Hodgson Road in Kew. 

Project budget

$1.66 million

Council has allocated funding for this project in its 4-year foreshadowed budget.

About the project

Dense vegetation and soil erosion have damaged the open concrete drainage channel. In some places, water has washed away soil beneath the concrete.

We understand this has been concerning for nearby residents, particularly where erosion has caused vegetation to fall onto private property and cause damage.

Our investigation found that regular maintenance will not fix the problem. We’ll replace the damaged open channel with a new underground drainage pipe to provide a safer, longer-term solution.

We expect work to start in November 2026 and finish by mid-2027.

Construction

Hodgson Street closure

To keep the community safe, we'll need to close a small section of Hodgson Street for the duration of the project. If there's periods of times the contractor can reopen it, they'll do so. 

The closure will extend from the corner of Hodgson Street and Stevenson Street to the bend where Young Street meets Hodgson Street. 

During closures, drivers can follow the detour via Young Street, Walmer Street, McEvoy Street and Hodgson Street.

Once we've confirmed dates for the road closure, we'll contact nearby properties to explain any impacts and changes to property access.

Construction hours

Construction hours are:

• Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm
• Occasionally on Saturdays, 9 am to 5 pm

We’ll only work on Saturdays when needed and will keep Saturday work to a minimum.

Tree removal

We need to remove several trees because dense vegetation in the reserve is damaging the drainage channel and contributing to the overflow of stormwater, which is causing erosion. Council’s arborist has assessed these trees as non-native. 

As part of this project, we’ll plant local indigenous species, including trees, understorey plants and grasses, to reflect the Yarra River corridor environment.

Timeline