Wannon Water’s $85 million upgrade of the Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant is set to stimulate regional growth and attract new investment once it reaches completion this year. This initiative marks the utility’s largest-ever infrastructure project, designed to accommodate rising sewage volumes while safeguarding public health and the environment.
The upgrade includes the construction of two new treatment tanks, boosting storage capacity by approximately 50%. It also features a new inlet pump station, chemical dosing and odour control facilities, along with an advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney emphasized the project’s importance for the community’s future:
“This upgrade enhances local service capacity, enabling more housing opportunities, job creation, and community development while strengthening health protections.”
Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora recently visited the site alongside Wannon Water Board Directors to witness the progress firsthand.
Board Chair Helen Scarborough expressed excitement as the project nears completion after two years of intensive work:
“By mid-2025, once construction wraps up, we’ll begin commissioning the new equipment and adding another UV system to support the plant’s four existing tanks. This will further safeguard both human health and the environment.”
Efforts are also underway to restore the surrounding landscape. Around 85,000 cubic metres of excavated material have been repurposed to form a large sand dune on the eastern and northern sides of the site. Once revegetated, this will significantly reduce visual impacts. Wannon Water is collaborating with Eastern Maar, community groups, and other stakeholders to finalize a draft landscape concept plan.
Complementing the upgrade, Wannon Water is developing an Effluent Management Strategy, aiming to align with the community’s long-term expectations while exploring future alternatives for effluent disposal. A stakeholder panel will provide input over the next two months.
Ms. Ermacora highlighted how the project will strengthen the region’s appeal for future investments, especially with ongoing population growth and food industry expansion. Currently serving nearly 15,000 households, the plant’s capacity is expected to rise by more than 80%, accommodating 25,000 properties over the next 50 years.
“This upgrade will unlock $199 million in annual economic value and create 1,512 additional jobs for the region by 2040. It’s fantastic news for Warrnambool, Allansford, Koroit, and the wider South West Victoria community,” Ms. Ermacora said.