The mammoth task of moving Hobart’s ageing sewage treatment plant from Macquarie Point is now underway, paving the way for the next development that will call the area home.
The $314 million undertaking will see the plant shifted up the River Derwent to Selfs Point, a move that is essential to clear the site of what has been proposed for a new multi-purpose stadium.
TasWater is leading the project, with the water and sewerage utility aiming to be finished with the construction phase by 2026.
“It took a great deal of work and planning to get to this stage and having shovels in the ground now is very exciting,” TasWater’s Tony Willmott said.
The new Selfs Point facility will increase Hobart’s water treatment capacity, allowing for an extra 8,000 homes and potentially a further 20,000 in the future as other outdated plants across greater Hobart are decommissioned.
Willmott said the relocation is being delivered in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, while TasWater plans to invest an additional $66 million in the Selfs Point expansion.
This will allow for other “underperforming” treatment plants in greater Hobart to be decommissioned.
“The project will provide an estimated 3,420 direct and indirect jobs and, once complete, will have provided an estimated $1.1 billion economic boost to the state,” he said.
Initial groundwork has been completed at both sites, while work on a 4.5km pipeline connecting the two has also begun.
