As the winter weather descends on the region, we are continuing our work to progress our proposed plans to upgrade the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant, ensure our plant continues to operate as best it can and enhance some community assets, so they are ready for spring.

Business case/Procurement

Our Business Case for the proposed plant upgrades has been submitted to the state government’s Department of Treasury and Finance for assessment.

During the assessment of the Business Case, we are focusing on the procurement phase on our project. This includes preparing technical and performance specifications, risk allocations and legal/commercial frameworks in anticipation of the Business Case being approved.

Stream gauge repairs

Works to upgrade our stream gauge at Campbells Creek have started and continue through July. This important infrastructure helps us measure how much water flows through the creek and monitor its long-term health.During the works you may notice machinery in the area.

When complete the gauge will sit in a clearwater part of the creek and be unaffected by vegetation.

Benefits of this project include being able to track live data in the creek, improving the health of the creek for animals that call Campbells Creek home and enabling us, DEECA and DJAARA to undertake a flow study on the creek. Completing these works will also improve the habitat for animals of the creek.

Planning Permit submission

We are continuing to work with Mount Alexander Shire Council to keep our Planning Permit application progressing.

Following public advertising in April and May, the application is with Council for review and decision. We’ll keep you updated on any developments.

Noise update –We have installed temporary acoustic panels around the blowers. Our second new blower has arrived and will be installed in the coming months.

Maintenance works –We have completed our program of essential maintenance works that began in May. This included cleaning, inspecting and re-coating the steel lining on our two Dissolved Air Flotation tanks that help thicken sludge before it goes to the Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion system.

In April, we also cleaning and inspecting our ATADs, which turn sewage sludge into a valued biosolids product for agricultural reuse. Prior to that we emptied one of our aeration tanks to complete important maintenance.

We encourage you to call us on 1300 363 200 to report odour. The more we receive these reports, the more we can build a picture of the areas of our plant that need the most urgent attention.

Our next update will be on Friday 5 September 2025.