One of our biggest infrastructure projects has hit an important milestone with the first concrete pour of the Bendigo Solids Handling Project completed.

The concrete slab is the foundation to the new electrical switch room which will support the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant’s long-term development plans. These electrical upgrades began in 2025 alongside detailed design works.

Construction of the new solids handling facility is expected to begin later this year following earthworks to prepare the site.

• Once complete in 2028, the Solids Handling Project will deliver benefits including:
• The capacity to treat 20% more solids on-site, with allowance for future development and expansion.
• Reduced carbon footprint and energy use through more efficient and sustainable technology.
• Reduced odour from the sludge and solids treatment process.
• Better resilience for the impacts of climate change and periods of extreme wet or dry weather.
• Continued compliance with our Environmental Protection Authority operating licence.
• Increased recycling of nutrient-rich biosolids that can be reused as a sustainable fertiliser on crops, parks and gardens.

This project is part of an $82.6 million contract to deliver stage one of these planned upgrades to the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant which will be carried out of the next five years.