Project Overview
North East Water is upgrading our Bright-Porepunkah Wastewater Treatment Plant and creating new infrastructure to improve environmental performance and service future population growth.
The works will involve:
- A new mechanical treatment plant to significantly improve wastewater treatment performance including nutrient removal
- A treated water pipeline to the Ovens River downstream of Porepunkah enabling greater use of recycled water
Sewage from Bright and Porepunkah is currently treated in a lagoon-based wastewater treatment plant that was constructed in 1982. The treated water output is currently released via an infiltration basin which indirectly flows to the Ovens River system upstream of Porepunkah. This arrangement does not meet contemporary standards, and a new treated water release method is required.
Concept Design
In 2024, North East Water completed a concept design which considered a range of infrastructure upgrade options that were assessed and shortlisted based on environmental, social, and economic factors.
This shortlisted options were:
- Pipeline to Ovens River upstream of Porepunkah with a large storage for winter release when river flows are higher (indicative project cost of $8-15 million)
- Pipeline to Ovens River’s confluence with the Buckland River (indicative project cost of $15-19 million)
- Pipeline Downstream of Feathertop Winery’s offtake (indicative project cost of $17-22 million).
Feedback on the shortlisted options was sought from key stakeholders and the community including an information drop-in session at the Bright market in April 2024 and an online survey.
Each option involves a major treatment plant upgrade from the current lagoon-based treatment plant to a fit for purpose biological nutrient removal plant process. This upgrade will service current and predicted future population growth in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Shortlisted options were assessed based on a multi-criteria analysis process which was informed by a wide range of information including an ecological risk assessment, river health studies, engineering concepts, and stakeholder and community feedback.
Option 3 was chosen as the preferred arrangement due to key factors including:
- Lower risk to the Ovens River environment based on an ecological risk assessment
- Treated water released further downstream from key recreational river use at Porepunkah weir pool and caravan parks
- Clear community preference based on survey responses and verbal feedback
- Robust engineering solution using best available technology
Next Steps
An engineering design of the preferred arrangement is currently in progress along with further site assessments. North East Water is planning to submit a Development License Application to the EPA for the works in late 2025. The upgrade works will be tendered following EPA and stakeholder agency approvals.
Site investigations to inform the design of the proposed pipeline alignment in mid-2025. This work to identify the presence of any below-ground services, such as communications or energy cabling, is scheduled to take place in the road reserves adjacent to:
- Great Alpine Road
- Station Street (West)
- Station Street (East) and Back Porepunkah Road
You may also see some in-ground geotechnical investigations taking place during the site investigation process. Please note, contractors will not enter private property.
