Sewer expansion project completed and ready for connections

The $5 million Heathcote Sewer Scheme Project has been completed – including the construction of a sewer pump station and new sewer mains – with Coliban Water now notifying property owners that they can connect to the expanded sewer network. 

Coliban Water Manager Infrastructure, Corey Bourne, said the project ensures more of the Heathcote community has access to a safer and environmentally friendly way to manage their domestic wastewater. 

“By expanding our sewer network we ensure wastewater is safely contained and transported to our Heathcote Water Reclamation Plant, where it is treated and reused for irrigation,” Mr Bourne said.

“As well as creating a healthier and safer environment, the project also allows for future development and population growth for Heathcote. 

“Healthy people and environment, and prosperous economies are two of the four strategic directions in Strategy 2030, our ten-year plan to achieve our vision of water to live, grow and enjoy.

“Around 150 properties are expected to connect with further connections planned as vacant lots are developed.”

The Heathcote Sewer Scheme Project is part of a Backlog Sewer Program to provide reticulated sewerage services in urban areas where septic tanks were still in use. 

“Local councils identified residential areas where properties had been built before sewerage services were available. The program included extensions of our network around Markovitch Lane, Junortoun – completed in 2014 – and Reckleben Street, Castlemaine – completed in 2016. 

“There has been a lot of development around Reckleben Street in the four years since we completed the expansion, which wouldn’t have been possible before the works,” Mr Bourne said.

Works began on the Heathcote Sewer Scheme Project in September 2018, with the construction of 10kms of sewer main and a sewer pump station. 

“A lot of planning, investigations, design, assessments, approvals and community consultation goes into a project like this,” Mr Bourne said.

Around 30 per cent of the mains were installed using boring or directional drilling, a trenchless method that reduces the need for excavation and prevents damage to trees and root systems.

“Cultural Heritage Management Plans were conducted to assess the potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage and work out how to protect artefacts,” Mr Bourne said.

 “We worked with the Taungurung Land & Waters Council, the traditional owners in the area, to carry out field investigations and dig test pits along the proposed pipeline alignments.

“Ecological assessments were also conducted to identify and protect flora, particularly native vegetation, and fauna.

“With the construction work now complete we will be writing to property owners within the next two weeks outlining the process for them to connect to the network.”

The contractor for the Heathcote Sewer Scheme Project was Steve Standen Drainage.

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