Scone sewage treatment plant gets upgrade

Preliminary investigations for an upgrade to Scone’s sewage treatment plant are now complete as a critical first step in the planning process that will help future-proof wastewater services for the town.

The New South Wales Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program allocated $30,000, combined with $20,000 from Upper Hunter Shire Council, to conduct preliminary investigations into increasing the plant’s capacity and improving treatment processes to help improve outcomes for the community and the environment.

New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW), Director of Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty, said, “We want to ensure regional councils have the support they need to provide modern sewage services, and that’s why we’ve stepped up our support for the Upper Hunter to get this project off the ground.

“The existing facility has served the community for 80 years, and it’s fair to say that it’s seen better days, so these funds are a critical step in determining what new infrastructure is needed, whether it is upgrading or building a new treatment plant, that will last for generations to come.”

This initial development phase provides a clearer overview of the ageing infrastructure, the amount of wastewater that must be treated daily, and how the sewage is currently processed.

The 1940s facility had its last upgrade in 1983, and some of the original plants are now well past their design life.

This is in addition to nearly $30,000 from the program to fund an environmental study that provides a snapshot of the water catchment where treated effluent is discharged.

“We’re grateful to have the New South Wales Government’s support because now we can start looking at all the options on the table to help lock in the infrastructure we need for today and the future,” Upper Hunter Shire Mayor, Maurice Collison, said.

“I am pleased we have completed these important preliminary investigations, which will help us progress the project into the next stage of development and ensure we are treating our wastewater to the highest possible standard.”

These preliminary investigations are a precursor to assessing the best design options for a wastewater upgrade, including new technology that is fit for the 21st century and will treat effluent to a higher standard.

The Safe and Secure Water Program supports over $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with more than 260 in various delivery stages.

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