The Healesville Sewage Treatment Plant will remain at our existing site at 45 Argoon Road, Healesville.

We’re upgrading the plant to increase the amount of sewage the plant can treat to protect the environment and waterways from sewage spills and to continue meeting environmental regulations.

We’re still designing the site and buildings. We’ll work with our neighbours to consider what the site looks like. This will include the buildings and what we plant in the area.

We plan to start constructing the new facility in 2026 after we receive the relevant approvals and permits. We expect it will take around 2 years to build.

We’ll need approvals before works can start, including a Development Licence issued by Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA Victoria). To be approved for a Development Licence we’ll have to demonstrate that we’re properly managing risks, such as odour and noise. EPA Victoria will advertise our Development Licence application as part of their public consultation process and you’ll be able to provide feedback to EPA Victoria at this stage too.

The treatment plant upgrade also needs planning approval from Yarra Ranges Council. Yarra Ranges Council will advertise our planning permit application as part of their public consultation process.

We’ll design the plant to make sure air quality is always acceptable for the local community.

It’s unlikely you’ll notice odours from the upgraded sewage treatment plant. It’s been operating at its current site since 1987 and will continue to operate under strict EPA Victoria odour control requirements when it’s upgraded.

Our Development Licence application will include information about how we plan to manage potential odours. The community will be able to view this information and respond before EPA Victoria makes a decision on the Licence. Once the application is approved and the Licence is obtained, we must follow all its requirements.

We’ll include noise assessments and modelling as part of the design. This will make sure the facility doesn’t make noise that impacts people in the area.

During construction, we expect typical noise from construction activity and nearby residents may notice increased vehicle traffic to and from the site.

Like all treatment plants, it will operate 24/7. This is to ensure we provide essential sewerage services 24/7 to the community in Healesville and surrounding area.

We don’t expect significant traffic delays or diversions on Maroondah Highway, Heritage Lane or Argoon Road. In the rare event of a big delivery, such as an oversized load, we’ll have permits and traffic management to make the area safe and keep traffic moving.

When the new facility is up and running, the amount of traffic will be the same as we currently get.

Chemicals are used in all sewage treatment plants and some treatment processes. We follow safety guidelines to manage and store chemicals on site.