This project will supply at least 4,000 megalitres (ML) each year of high-quality recycled water for:
Stage 1 of the Western Port Recycled Water Scheme includes:
The Greater Bunbury region is experiencing a drying climate which poses risks to the future sustainability of groundwater use for Bunbury’s drinking water supply. The region is projected to experience a significant decline in water security due to:
The project will deliver an advanced recycled water treatment plant and supporting infrastructure, including a distribution network.
This project will investigate the construction of an advanced water treatment plant in Tamworth, New South Wales (NSW). The plant, if constructed, could recycle up to 12 megalitres (ML) a day of wastewater from large commercial and industrial users.
In Tamworth, the 4 major food processors use a quarter (25%) of the town's treated water supply. This project will investigate a recycled water solution that would:
The project involves upgrading the existing Portarlington water reclamation plant, which processes municipal wastewater, effluent or industrial wastewater into Class B water that can be used for a variety of non-drinking purposes.
Upgrades to the water reclamation plant include the installation of an ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis plant. This will improve both water quality and the volume of recycled water supplied.
The project will investigate the construction of a new reservoir with a storage capacity of up to 1,350 megalitres (ML).
Upgrades to the recycled water network will also be explored, which would help meet the high irrigation demand of the region. This would be achieved by supplying an estimated 750 ML of recycled water to the area.
The detailed business case will:
The business case looked at enabling recycled water use in the Sunbury-Bulla-Keilor agricultural area. The region has a large amount of land that could be used for productive purposes such as cropping and grazing of livestock.
To enable delivery of recycled water to the region, the project includes consideration of options to construct:
Benefits being pursued include:
The business case was completed in December 2023 and investigated the benefits of augmenting an existing water recycling plant and constructing a distribution network to Cora Lynn and surrounding areas, including:
• augmenting the existing Pakenham water recycling plant
• constructing a distribution network to move water from the plant to the Cora Lynn and Catani regions.
This project is expected to construct a distribution network for recycled water in the Bicheno region, including distribution pipelines and a pump station.
This will increase the availability of reliable recycled water, with the aim of initially providing an additional 64 ML per year of water.
The project will bring the existing recycled water system up to modern standards, maintain protections for the community and environment, and ensure the system will meet Bicheno’s needs for years to come.
The detailed business case will develop a detailed design and assess the benefits of extending the supply of recycled water from Riddells Creek Recycled Water Plant to the Sunbury Recycled Water Scheme.
The proposal also includes upgrading the Riddells Creek Recycled Water Plant to Class B treated water.
If built, the project aims to create opportunities to supply agribusiness properties north of Sunbury. It will also increase the available supply to farmers in the Parwan-Balliang Irrigation District.
The project involved completion of a detailed business case to investigate the merits of work to enable supply of recycled water to the Tyabb, Somerville and Pearcedale regions. The business case investigated work including construction of a transfer main, pumping infrastructure and reticulation access.
The detailed business case was completed in June 2022. The Victorian Government will consider the findings of the business case to determine next steps in accordance with state infrastructure priorities.