Water infrastructure projects support Melbourne's northern suburbs

Victorian Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville has announced two landmark projects in Melbourne’s northern suburbs that will help support the growing communities in the area.

Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility, located in Wollert, is said to be the first dedicated organic waste processing facility built for providing electricity for water treatment in Australia. The $27 million facility will support local businesses by making the recycling of commercial organic waste easier and more affordable.

The facility will produce electricity to run Yarra Valley’s adjacent water treatment plant with surplus power being exported to the electricity grid as renewable energy. This environmentally sustainable alternative to landfill will not only benefit the environment, it will reduce the cost of living for communities by providing new revenue streams to keep the pressure off water prices.

“By recovering organic waste we introduce a new source of renewable energy and boost growth and investment in our economy, creating more Victorian jobs,” said Neville.

The $130 million Amaroo Main Sewer has also started construction, with excavation underway in Craigieburn. The project represents a $400 million investment over five years in the region and will provide a wastewater infrastructure backbone for the growing northern part of Melbourne.

“The Amaroo Main Sewer project lays the foundations to support population growth, enabling the formation of thriving communities and job creation in the region,” said Neville.

Both projects will support population growth in the north, enabling the formation of thriving communities and job creation in the region. Neville concluded, “These projects are great examples of our water authorities meeting the challenges of the future, including climate change and population growth.”