The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to ensure a more reliable source of drinking water for the Lower Hunter, with a major milestone construction reached at the Belmont Desalination Plant.
Hunter Water has successfully completed the project’s 830 metre seawater intake tunnel, with the tunnel boring machine (TBM) breaking through to the offshore intake location and being safely recovered from the ocean.
Rhiannan, the TBM named after Belmont local and world champion cliff diver Rhiannan Iffland, was used to install the 2.4 metre diameter pipeline beneath the seabed.
With TBM’s rarely retrieved from ocean floor in Australia, recovering the machine marks the completion of one of the most complex and high-risk components of construction on the $530 million Belmont Desalination Plant.
The recovery followed a carefully planned sequence of offshore works carried out over several weeks.
Specialist divers first removed debris from around the machine before positioning and aligning a support cradle to guide the TBM into place ahead of retrieval.
Once safely sealed and stabilised, divers connected the hydraulic recovery system, allowing the 75-tonne machine to be pushed clear and prepared for lifting.
The next stage of works will see the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment and ongoing works to connect the seawater intake structure to the treatment plant.
Once complete, the new plant will allow seawater to be drawn from the ocean for treatment, providing a dependable source of drinking water that can withstand future droughts and a changing climate.
The plant will be capable of producing up to 30 million litres of drinking water a day, enough to meet around 15 per cent of the region’s average daily demand, helping to support water security for generations to come.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
“The Minns Labor Government is investing in infrastructure the Hunter needs.
“This project represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the Hunter’s future, strengthening water security as the region continues to grow.
“The Hunter has always been a place that builds big things, and this project is another example of the incredible engineering capability we have right here in our own backyard.
“This desalination plant is a game changer for our region. It gives families confidence that we have a reliable water supply as our region continues to grow.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Water Rose Jackson:
“This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering one of the state’s most significant water security projects which will help future-proof the regions water supply.
“As our climate changes, we need to invest in infrastructure that helps communities prepare for longer, more intense droughts while securing essential services for future generations.”
Quotes attributable to Hunter Water Managing Director, Jennifer Hayes:
“Recovering “Rhiannan” from the ocean is a significant achievement and reflects the technical expertise, planning and teamwork required to deliver this critical infrastructure.
“This milestone brings us another step closer to delivering a climate-resilient water source that will help strengthen water security for the Lower Hunter.
“The Belmont Desalination Plant is a key part of the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan and will help ensure our region has a reliable source of drinking water during future droughts and changing climate conditions.”
