A new $360 million wastewater infrastructure project is set to underpin the future development of Perth's burgeoning northern corridor.
A new $360 million wastewater infrastructure project is set to underpin the future development of Perth's burgeoning northern corridor.
Premier Alan Carpenter and Water Resources Minister John Kobelke today launched the $360million project in the soon-to-be-created suburb of Alkimos.
The Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant, associated ocean outlet and sewer mains, are scheduled for completion by 2010.
The Premier and Minister turned the first sod of soil to mark the start of earthworks for the plant, which will see up to three million cubic metres of soil - enough to fill Subiaco Oval to the height of the goal posts 16 times - cleared over the next eight months.
"The Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant will be the next major wastewater treatment facility for Perth," Mr Carpenter said.
"It will join Woodman Point, Beenyup and Subiaco wastewater treatment plants, which currently treat about 80 per cent of Perth's wastewater and are undergoing major upgrades.
"The Alkimos area is expected to become a significant regional centre with a population predicted to reach about 150,000 by 2030.
"Extensive infrastructure is needed to support this growth and the Water Corporation has an important role to provide first-class wastewater and water services."
Work is also well advanced on tunnelling and open-trench construction to extend the Quinns main sewer a distance of 5km, which will link it to the Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Plans are being prepared to bring the main sewer south from Yanchep and Two Rocks to the new wastewater treatment plant.
Mr Kobelke said the plant would have an ultimate capacity of 150 megalitres of wastewater a day and would use advanced secondary treatment technology.
"The Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant will be located within land owned by the Water Corporation that completely contains the odour buffer," Mr Kobelke said.
"The land within the buffer has the potential to become a valuable community asset that accommodates a variety of important social and environmental features."
Mindarie MLA John Quigley welcomed the start of construction work on the new treatment plant.
"The Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant is a significant infrastructure investment that will help sustain the future development of the northern suburbs," Mr Quigley said.
The wastewater treatment plant earthworks and the Quinns main sewer extension are being undertaken by the Alkimos Water Alliance, where the Water Corporation is working in partnership with Brookfield Multiplex, Macmahon Contractors and Zueblin Australia.
"The State Government is committed to building better infrastructure for Western Australia's future," the Premier said.
