Coliban Water’s board has approved a major redevelopment of the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant.
The multimillion-dollar investment will more than double storage and increase irrigation capacity at the plant, as well as update treatment processes, so that only Class B water is used for off-site irrigation and tertiary treated water is released to the Campaspe River.
The project is expected to be completed by December 2020, pending planning and regulatory approvals.
The phase two upgrade works follow on from phase one currently underway, which includes a series of improved treatment processes in the lagoons and tanks for storage of Class B water for irrigation at Hardwicks Meatworks.
The total cost of the combined upgrades amounts to between $15-$17M, with the redevelopment expected to be able to serve the Kyneton region until 2040.
Managing director Damian Wells said the project would be funded from Coliban Water’s existing capital works program.
“This is a huge investment, it’s a generational investment that factors in growth of the Kyneton town and takes us out to 2040,” Mr Wells said.
“The Essential Services Commission regulates our water pricing for customers and we’re in year two of a current five-year water plan so there will be no increase to customers’ bills as a result of this decision.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed news of the upgrade.
“Kyneton is a rapidly growing domestic and commercial region, so we need to make sure the treatment facilities can meet the growing demand,” Ms Thomas said.
The announcement coincided with a statement issued by that the Environment Protection Authority Victoria yesterday that had laid 11 charges against Coliban Water following a comprehensive investigation into the release of treated effluent to the Campaspe River.
The charges relate to discharges that occurred from May to August 2019, which the prosecution will allege caused an environmental hazard, polluted waters, and resulted in non-compliance with licence conditions during 2018 and 2019.
Breaching licence conditions, causing an environmental hazard and pollution of waters are criminal offences under the Environment Protection Act 1970.
