By Michael Burt
Bellingen Shire Council has called for state and federal government support to expand the Sewering Coastal Villages project into the Raleigh industrial estate and Repton.
Council General Manager Mark Griffioen and Mayor Steve Allan joined Member for Oxley Michael Kemp and Ledonne Constructions at Mylestom last week to mark the halfway point for the ambitious project.
All street sewage mains in Mylestom are now complete, with further works on pump stations to connect 226 properties to the new network in Mylestom and Raleigh now underway.
Ledonne Constructions says the two pump stations at Mylestom and Raleigh should be commissioned by March and the final stage of connecting properties complete in late 2026.
Council General Manager Mark Griffioen said a vital third stage is yet to be funded.
“The Raleigh Industrial Estate and Repton Communities have not been included in the funded portion for this project,” Mr Griffioen said.
“We are on time and on budget for this project. What we are calling for is for the state and federal governments to come up with the money to assist council with delivering this additional stage.”
Mr Griffioen said expanding sewage connections to the new plant at Urunga would be a key driver for economic growth in the shire.
“This is on top of the environmental benefits. Protecting the Kalang and Bellinger River systems is what the project is all about.”
Phase One of the $38 million Sewering Coastal Villages project involved upgrading the Urunga Sewerage Treatment Plant, doubling its capacity to support up to 10,000 people and extending the facility’s operational lifespan by 30 years.
The NSW Government has committed $11 million towards the project through the Safe and Secure Water Program, with the Bellingen Shire Council contributing $27 million.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan welcomed the halfway milestone, describing it as a “fantastic result” for the protection of local waterways, public health and the future growth of Mylestom and Raleigh.
“I know locals in Mylestom and Raleigh are eagerly awaiting the new wastewater system in their towns, which is why it’s great to see tangible progress being made,” Cr Allan said.
“This is about making our region more liveable and preserving our precious waterways for future generations.”
“It’s one of those projects that flies under the radar sometimes because you don’t see much of the infrastructure and people don’t think too much about what happens when they flush the toilet.”
Sewer connection requirements for Development Applications (DAs) in Mylestom and Raleigh will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, according to the Council’s planning department.
Council is currently working with a small number of properties that have active DAs underway while the Sewering Coastal Villages project progresses.
“For future development, where a property is not yet connected but is reasonably able to connect to the new reticulated sewer network, Council may include a condition requiring connection at the applicant’s cost,” a spokesperson said.
“Each DA will continue to be assessed through Council’s standard process, with Planning staff consulting Water and Wastewater staff as required.”
urunga STP drone