Yarra Valley Water is investing more than $20 million to expand the Craigieburn Sewage Transfer Hub – which the utility believes to be the largest control facility of its kind in Australia.
The expansion will include two new above-ground storage tanks, next to the two existing storage tanks. When complete, the tanks will hold up to 30ML of sewage, with the potential to expand to 120ML in the future.
Yarra Valley Water General Manager of Growth and Distribution, Bridie Fennessy, said this development is crucial to meet the needs of the region’s growing population.
“Investment in Melbourne’s rapidly developing Northern Growth Corridor is essential to ensure the system can meet the increasing demand for water and sewerage services.”
“We have some of the fastest growing suburbs in the nation and we’re committed to supporting new communities by providing essential infrastructure,” Ms Fennessy said.
The State Government’s Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) predicts that the expansion of Melbourne’s northern growth corridor will accommodate a population of more than 300,000.
“The Craigieburn Sewage Transfer Hub will provide a reliable sewerage system, improve sewer network efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of sewage spilling into the environment during heavy rain,” Ms Fennessy said.
“It will allow greater flexibility in our network and help us to keep up with demand.”
Ms Fennessy said the Craigieburn facility represents an innovative approach to sewage management.
“The Hub is a unique storage and distribution facility with plans for future expansion to over 120ML and up to eight tanks,” she said.
The state-of-the-art facility sends waste from the Amaroo main sewer to Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant, storing excess flows as needed. This approach offers a cost-effective and innovative alternative to constructing a large sewer system.
“The tanks are filled and emptied via a gravity system, with only one valve required per tank. This eliminates large operational and maintenance costs,” Ms Fennessy said.
The custom-designed tanks feature striking 50m-wide domed lids, which were lifted into position using a 350t crane.
“Unusually, we built the tanks from the top down using jacks to raise the side walls. This innovative approach allowed us to complete the project more efficiently and safely than if we were working at heights,” Ms Fennessy said.
The Craigieburn Sewage Transfer Hub is part of a broader $2.6 billion investment plan by Yarra Valley Water. By 2028, the water utility plans to invest more than $520 million in ten major projects, including renewing water and sewer mains, upgrading treatment plants, and serving an expanding customer base.
“To ensure we maintain service levels and reliability for our existing and future customers, we continue to make significant investments to expand capacity or replace ageing assets in our network,” Ms Fennessy said.
“It’s crucial that we continue to build innovative and adaptive infrastructure like the Craigieburn Sewage Transfer Hub to service this growing community for many years to come.”
Featured image: Yarra Valley Water
