Connect Coliban
27 March 2026
It’s been a busy start to the year at Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant. The project to upgrade the plant has taken its next step, extensive maintenance works have been completed to help the plant operate at its best and we have had some surprise guests at the bird hide.
As part of the major upgrades to Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant, we received an exciting number of Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions from contractors to build and operate the new plant.
After a thorough evaluation process, we have successfully shortlisted two contractors to take to the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the project. This will begin in April and go through to August 2026.
During the ECI process there will be close interaction with the shortlisted contractors to draw out the industry’s best and most appropriate designs and solutions for the new plant. This stage is confidential until we award the contract to the winning bidder, but we will keep you as up to date as possible throughout.
BirdLife CEO visits
In February, we were delighted to welcome BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar to the Castlemaine Bird Hide for a special community visit.
Members of BirdLife Castlemaine District, Friends of Campbells Creek Landcare Group and Coliban Water staff enjoyed a morning of sharing insights, bird sightings and a celebration of the important role the hide plays in supporting the connection of local biodiversity and community engagement.
It was fantastic to see such strong community support and excitement for this unique habitat tucked within our Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant. Even better - more locals signed up for Bird Hide keys on the spot.
If you want to explore this amazing local asset for yourself, email bcwrp.upgrade@coliban.com.au to request access.
PlatyPatch Project
Works on the Campbells Creek Platy Patch project are ongoing with earthworks and rock placement complete.
The Campbells Creek Platy Patch project aims to improve streambank and aquatic habitats critical for platypus and other threatened species along Campbells Creek.
It will create spaces that will benefit both the local community and native plants and animals with more than 15 hectares of the creek to be improved with weed control and revegetation. This will provide perfect conditions for platypus to survive and thrive.
The next stage of the project will involve planting specific habitat vegetation. This vegetation is currently being grown at the nursery. Once the plants are established and weather conditions are favourable, the team will plant them at the site.
Cambells Creek Platy Patch is a joint project between the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Coliban Water, and Friends of Campbells Creek.
The work forms part of the landmark $24 million Platy Patch Project, a four-year, statewide initiative to improve platypus habitat at 14 different sites across Victoria.
Platy Patch is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute, with the support of One Tree Planted, Ballarat City Council, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
In January, we completed maintenance on the biofilter beds to improve odour from the plant.
Biofilter beds contain a thick layer of mulch containing odour-eating bacteria that clean the odorous (smelly) air created during the sewage treatment process.
Replacing this mulch is part of routine maintenance and helps us manage odours generated from the plant.
Maintenance was completed on the aeration system in February. This saw two of our four aeration tanks emptied and the aerators at the bottom of them replaced.
These tanks allow different microorganisms to do their job and break down the organics in the sewage before it is separated into sludge (which becomes biosolids) or liquid (which will be treated to become recycled water).
These maintenance works have already improved our treatment performance and energy savings at the plant.
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 in June 2026.
We acknowledge and respect Victoria Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to being a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families.
1300 363 200
Email coliban@coliban.com.au
National relay service 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 200
