Beechworth sewer improvement

North East Water is continuing to work towards changing parts of Beechworth’s sewer system to prevent the sewer overflowing into the Historic Park during heavy rain events.

Beechworth’s unique granite base limits the soil absorption of rainfall, and during heavy rain events this results in major stormwater flows into the sewer. These heavy flows then cause the sewer system to spill over at an outlet structure on Church Street, resulting in an unacceptable impact on the Beechworth Historic Park. It has been determined that increasing the capacity of the pipe that transfers the sewage to the treatment plant will both protect the environment and allow for future growth of the town.

Over the past twelve months, we have investigated and considered several options. Following a thorough assessment process and extensive community engagement, it has been determined that a larger sewer transfer pipe will be constructed and will run from the existing outlet in Church Street, along Last Street, Sydney Road and Old Chiltern Road then through to the wastewater treatment plant near Woolshed.

View confirmed route

In addition to the new pipeline, North East Water is also upgrading the Beechworth Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on McFeeters Road. This upgrade will increase both the capacity and treatment efficiency of the plant. The total investment of the pipeline and wastewater treatment plant projects is $6 million.

We are working to finalise the detailed design and specifications for the pipeline. Once finalised, we will meet with the community again to view the alignment as determined in the design.

We will also meet with Indigo Shire Council and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to update them and seek further advice regarding the Planning Permit process, before formally submitting the application.

On Thursday 29 March 2018, members of our Project Team, and the Beechworth community walked a section of the proposed route along Old Chiltern Road. Our Team discussed the results of the flora, fauna and granite studies, possible construction techniques, advice received from DELWP and Parks Victoria and the planning permit process. Representatives from Biosis Environmental Consultants and Indigo Shire Council also participated in the walk. 

We will continue to engage with, and inform the community as the project progresses.

For further information on the community engagement for this project, including presentations, newsletters and meeting notes, please click on the “Project documents” button below.