A new inlet pump station has been built and is fitted out with new screens, pipework and flow control equipment. We’ve also backfilled a 10-metre deep hole that was excavated to allow for this facility.

After months of work, the structure for the two new treatment tanks is now finished. A total of 176 pre-cast panels were delivered to site, 17 wall junctions were added, and 164 stich pours were made to join all the concrete sections together.

Located to the north of the four existing tanks, they will enhance the plant’s treatment processes and increase storage capacity by around 50 per cent. Water testing of the tanks has started and the first sections have passed.

The ultra-violet (UV) disinfection works are ongoing, with the lower channel section complete. The UV equipment for the new tanks has been imported from Canada and the UV system that will be installed on the existing tanks is due in December. This will provide an additional layer of protection for the environment and human health.

Once the IDEA tanks pass final water testing, the exterior walls will be backfilled. This will involve additional truck movements to the site.

In the next few weeks, we’ll be working around the plant’s existing inlet facility on Robinson Street. This facility will be decommissioned once the new section of plant is operational.

We’ll have some traffic diversions in place as our contractors work in this area.

At this stage, we’re still on track to complete the upgrade project in mid-2025. The UV improvements to the existing plant are likely to occur after that.

Vegetation within the project site area was cleared and mulched in preparation for the earthworks where 85,000 cubic metres of material was excavated.

The fill has been used to shape a large sand dune around the east and north of the site which will help minimise visual impacts once the area is revegetated next year.

We know that due to the dry conditions over the past few months, people in the nearby area may have noticed additional sand and dust around their properties as a result of the work. We’re sorry and we’d like to thank everyone in the local area for their patience and understanding.

The earthworks are now complete and we’re now investigating sealing the surface with an interim coating until we’re ready to revegetate the area.

We’ve prepared a draft landscape concept plan which has gone out to community groups and other stakeholders for feedback.

We’re aiming to ensure the revegetation design is a balanced outcome that reflects the needs of the environment, user groups and the wider community.

Representatives from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and Warrnambool City Council joined us on a tour of the existing sewage treatment plant and the upgrade project last month.

The group included the EPA’s chief executive officer Lee Miezis, South West regional manager Carolyn Francis and senior engagement lead Martha-Rose Loughnane, and council CEO Andrew Mason.

We explained the treatment process, improvements to the plant over the years, and the need to cater for increasing loads due to population growth and industrial development in our region.