The local community has had its say on Coliban Water’s proposed upgrade to the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant at two public drop-in sessions in December 2024.
Feedback from the public acknowledged the need to upgrade the plant to meet the area’s growing population, while ensuring improved wastewater treatment that will continue to benefit Campbells Creek’s flora and fauna.
The two drop-in sessions – one at the Maxi IGA in Castlemaine and one at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant – were held for the public as part of the review of the project’s Development Licence Application (DLA) to the Environment Protection Authority.
The sessions aimed to help update residents and customers on the project, answer any questions people had about the upgrades and encourage people to provide feedback on the DLA through the Engage Vic website. The public feedback closed on 16 December 2024.
Coliban Water Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant Program Director, Danny Childs, said speaking with people during the site visit showed the passion people had for the environment surrounding the plant and the interest there was in the upgrades.
About ten people toured the plant on 12 December 2024 to learn more about the plans for the site, while several customers also registered for further sessions to be held in 2025.
“Continuing a strong relationship with the community is such a vital part of the project, which is why we were excited to offer people the chance to visit our site and share the exciting details of the proposed upgrades,” Mr Childs said.
“Not only were we able to show people where the new plant is proposed to be built, we were able to give them an understanding of the treatment process that delivers the essential service for the community.”
Coliban Water also hosted a six-hour pop-up session, speaking with more than 30 people at Maxi IGA Castlemaine on 3 December 2024 about the upgrades.
“We loved getting out in the community and hearing about what people are most passionate, concerned or curious about,” he said.
“We also want to stay connected with the community and further strengthen the relationships we have with our neighbours and stakeholders. These two sessions helped us do that.”
The key messages heard from the Castlemaine community included the need for improved treatment of wastewater and a continued acknowledgement of the important role regular water flows have in Campbells Creek’s ecology.
Residents and community members also acknowledged the need to upgrade the plant and increase its capacity to meet future growth in the Mount Alexander region.
Feedback on the DLA closed on 16 December 2024, but Coliban Water said the community will have a chance to provide feedback on the planning permit application in the new year.
“Moving forward in this project there will be more opportunities for the community to engage with us and see the work we are investing into upgrading the infrastructure, to ensure we provide maximum benefits for our customers, the community and environment,” Mr Childs said.
Mr Childs also said some early works had been completed at the Langslow Street site including planting more than 150 native plants and shrubs to assist with visual screening.
“We are also in the process of installing a bird hide which will allow people to keep an eye on the birds who call our lagoons home.”
Following the approvals for the project, upgrades will take several years to complete.
The upgrades will take place in the plant’s existing boundary and increase the plant’s treatment capacity, improve the quality of treated wastewater and provide more resilient sewer services to the growing Castlemaine community.
The plant currently treats wastewater from 15,500 residents and businesses in Castlemaine and surrounding areas. Growth forecast estimates the Mount Alexander Shire’s population will hit 22,000 by 2028.
