Planning a better future for Scone wastewater
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 NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program allocated $30,000, combined with $20,000 from Upper Hunter Shire Council, to carry out preliminary investigations into increasing the capacity of the plant and improving treatment processes to help get better outcomes for the community and the environment.
This initial development phase provides a clearer overview of the ageing infrastructure, the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated every day and how the sewage is currently processed.
The 1940s facility had its last upgrade in 1983 and some of the original plant is now well past its design life.
It comes on top of nearly $30,000 from the program to fund an environmental study that provides a snapshot of the water catchment where treated effluent is discharged.
These preliminary investigations are a precursor to assessing the best design options for a wastewater upgrade including new technology fit for the 21st century that will treat effluent to a higher standard.
The Safe and Secure Water Program is supporting over $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with more than 260 in various stages of delivery.
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 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.
“While this is an early phase in the journey, it’s also an incredibly important one to ensure we have the right information to get the best outcome for the community and the environment, and I look forward to watching this project take shape.”
Mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire, Maurice Collison said:
“We’re grateful to have the NSW 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.
“I am pleased we have completed these important preliminary investigations that will help us progress the project into the next stage of development, so we can make sure we are treating our wastewater to the highest possible standard.
“Wastewater services are a critical part of the day-to-day operations of any regional community, and we want to make sure that our treatment plant is in the best shape to meet the demands of a growing population while maintaining a higher level of effluent to better protect the environment.”
