The Castlemaine community had an opportunity to have its say on plans to upgrade the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant at two public drop-in sessions this month.
Feedback from the public acknowledged the need to upgrade the plant to meet the area’s growing population, while ensuring improved wastewater treatment that will continue to benefit Campbells Creek’s flora and fauna.
The two drop-in sessions – one at the Maxi IGA complex in Castlemaine and one at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant – were held for the public as part of the review of the project’s Development Licence Application to the Environment Protection Authority.
Plant program director Danny Childs said speaking with people during the site visit showed the passion they had for the environment surrounding the plant and the interest there was in the upgrades.
About 10 people toured the plant on December 12 to learn more about the plans for the site, while several customers also registered for further sessions to be held in 2025.
“Not only were we able to show people where the new plant is proposed to be built, we were able to give them an understanding of the treatment process that delivers the essential service for the community,” Mr Childs said.
Coliban Water also hosted a six-hour pop-up session, speaking with more than 30 people at Maxi IGA Castlemaine complex on December 3 about the upgrades.
The key messages heard from the Castlemaine community included the need for improved treatment of wastewater and a continued acknowledgement of the important role regular water flows have in Campbells Creek’s ecology.
Feedback on the DLA closed on December 16, but the community will have a chance to provide feedback on the planning permit application in the new year.
Mr Childs said some early works had been completed at the Langslow Street site including planting more than 150 native plants and shrubs to assist with visual screening.
“We are also in the process of installing a bird hide, which will allow people to keep an eye on the birds who call our lagoons home,” he said.
Following the approvals for the project, upgrades will take several years to complete. The upgrades will take place in the plant’s existing boundary and increase the plant’s treatment capacity, improve the quality of treated wastewater and provide more resilient sewer services to the growing Castlemaine community.
The plant currently treats wastewater from 15,500 residents and businesses in Castlemaine and surrounding areas. Growth forecast estimates the Mount Alexander Shire’s population will hit 22,000 by 2028.
