Old Bar’s sewer network is now better equipped to service the increasing development in the area, thanks to the construction of a new sewer pump station and associated pipe infrastructure.
Old Bar Sewer Pump Station 8 has been built at the western end of Banyula Drive, in a location designed to service new housing on both the northern and southern sides of Old Bar Road, between Red Gum Road and Forest Lane.
A rising main has also been constructed to direct sewage from the new sewer pump station to Sheaffe Avenue, where it connects with the existing network and flows on to Old Bar Sewage Treatment Plant.
MidCoast Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott, said the new infrastructure was vital for ensuring the network could continue to service Old Bar’s growing population.
“Old Bar’s population is forecast to grow considerably over the coming decades and we’re already seeing that growth with the number of new houses being built in the area,” said Mr Scott.
“Projects such as these help to ensure that this growth happens sustainably and doesn’t place undue pressure on the network or the surrounding environment.
“Sewer infrastructure isn’t something that tends to attract a lot of attention, but it’s critical to the health and safety of our urban populations and we’ll continue to focus on improving our networks and ensuring they’re designed to cater for the needs of our communities.”
Mr Scott said the Old Bar project had already reduced pressure on the network, with the new sewer pump station enabling sewage to be diverted from Old Bar Sewer Pump Station 3 at the eastern end of Banyula Drive, which was approaching capacity in terms of the volume of sewage it could process.
With the new pumping station now in operation, focus will turn to the design and construction of new sewer trunk mains to support future development in Old Bar. This will include consultation with landowners to confirm the alignment of the new mains.
