At North East Water, our priority is to provide reliable water and sewer services to our customers, protect the environment, and plan for future growth.
Current infrastructure capacity
We've resumed planning support for small-scale housing developments in Mount Beauty, Tawonga and Tawonga South. This follows a temporary pause earlier in 2024 due to capacity constraints in our existing water and sewer networks.
Managing system capacity
With some short-term operational improvements, we can support planning permits and connections for infill developments and small subdivisions of five or fewer lots. These improvements include upgrades to the Mount Beauty Water Treatment Plant, allowing for a modest increase in drinking water production, and the installation of a generator at Tawonga South sewer pump station, helping to minimise sewer events during power outages, especially in wet weather.
Applications for subdivisions of more than five lots will be considered case-by-case, subject to available capacity.
Planned infrastructure upgrades
Planning for long-term infrastructure upgrades is also well underway to ensure future development is supported in these communities. Key projects include:
- New drinking water storage tank: completion expected in 2027-28.
- New sewer pump station in Tawonga South: completion expected in 2028-29.
Additionally, after extensive community engagement, construction of a new $4 million raw water offtake is set to begin later this year.
These projects represent a $9 million investment for these communities.
Planning a development?
During this process we've engaged with affected property owners, listened to their feedback and, from October 2024, we're again able to offer a short-term solution that allows planning permits for smaller-scale development to move forward.
While we recognise the need for larger-scale upgrades to accommodate future growth, we're glad to ease some of the concerns property owners have been experiencing.
If you are considering a development or small subdivision in Mount Beauty, Tawonga or Tawonga South, please email our Property Development team at development@newater.com.au for a pre-development discussion. This will help ensure that your plans align with our infrastructure capabilities and support sustainable growth in the region.