South East Water is delivering a new sewerage scheme to the towns of Belgrave Heights and Belgrave South. We are committed to working closely with the community to deliver this vital community infrastructure project and we want to keep you informed. If you have any questions or you would like more information, please call 1800 055 465 or email belgraveheights@sewl.com.au
The scheme is required, as there is direct evidence of waste from failing on-site household wastewater units polluting the streams and environment in the area. Many of the existing on-site wastewater units (or septic tanks) can no longer be relied on to protect the environment and consequently there are health risks for the community. This is due to a combination of relatively small allotment sizes, steep topography, shallow rock and impermeable soils and rainfall.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) support this sewerage scheme as the best solution to improve the local environment and reduce the existing health risks.
The sewerage scheme will be provided to existing properties that are unable to sustainably contain and treat their wastewater. In deciding which allotments will be part of the scheme, we take into consideration the size of the property (generally smaller than 0.4Ha), the volume of wastewater generated on-site and the viability of connecting the property to the scheme.
A summary of the costs is provided below:
Scheme Contribution and Application Fees (paid to South East Water Limited).
Connection costs to your house plumbing (by your Licensed Plumber). **These are figures that can only be confirmed once an on-site assessment and quote has been undertaken, so the information provided here is an average estimate.
Ongoing costs for use of pressure sewerage system. **Those properties connected to the gravity sewerage system will not pay for the electrical supply.
The Sewage Disposal Charge is a user pays charge that covers the cost of collection, treatment and disposal of sewage, so it may be safely re-used or released back to the environment. The Sewage Service Charge covers access to the sewerage system itself.
The environmental and health benefits to individual properties and the community as a whole will only be maximised when all properties are connected to the scheme. In addition, you will avoid the ongoing costs of maintaining your on-site wastewater (or septic) system and potentially this will eliminate areas of continual damp or odour on or near your property.
Yes, you can connect, however your connection costs will be higher. If you are considering connecting and you are not part of the scheme, please contact South East Water to understand the costs of connection.
Before connection work can begin to individual properties, construction of the street reticulation pipe work and transfer system needs to be completed. Construction of the pipe network is scheduled to commence in mid 2010 and we anticipate property connections will be available from 2011.
South East Water will notify you in advance and provide you with all the information and documentation you will need to assist you in connecting to the scheme. Following your application to connect, a South East Water representative will consult with you to agree on the location for the pump unit or connection on your property.
We encourage you to budget for the expected costs associated with connection.
Yes, you will be asked to identify your preferred location for the system connection points. We’ll be available to assist you to make this decision to ensure the most cost efficient and practical systems are in place.
This stage of the project includes the construction of a series of pipes that will transfer the wastewater from individual properties to treatment systems located in the area.
We will use the latest technology to minimise disruption to residents and the environment, including installing pipes within the road reserves rather than within your property. Typically, the pipes are laid about one meter deep and in most instances trenchless technology is used to install them. We’ll notify you prior to works commencing to ensure that you are prepared for any disruptions.
The installation of the pump is straight forward and only requires a relatively small hole to be dug and the unit to be lowered and secured. This work will usually be completed within three days. The connection of the pump unit to the pipe work in the street will be via a small pipe approximately 40 mm in diameter and installed 450mm deep.
Once connected to the sewerage system, your septic tank should be decommissioned (by the connecting plumber). This will involve having the waste within the septic tank pumped out and the concrete base broken up before filling it in.
Alternatively, you may wish to re-use your septic tank to store rainwater for garden watering. In this instance, the tank will need to be pumped out and disinfected before storing water. You should check with your Council about the procedures for decommissioning or re-using a septic tank.
A thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken for the project area and all areas of high environmental importance or sensitivity within the project area have been considered as part of this project. Various design options were considered during the preliminary stages of the project, all of which require some vegetation removal in one form or another. The current design option that forms part of this project represents the best possible option to avoid and minimise vegetation loss.
The EIA details how we’ll ensure that we minimise all native tree removal, in particular the vegetation that contributes to the habitat of the Powerful Owl. In this Assessment, the trees noted for removal are a worst case scenario and we will endeavour, wherever possible, to retain all native trees and vegetation.
Removal of native vegetation consists of mostly individual trees within nature strips as well as planted exotic trees. Significant patches of native vegetation have been avoided and will be protected during construction.
To address the importance of this Assessment, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has also been prepared to successfully manage any environmental impacts that could result from the project. The EMP also highlights mechanisms undertaken during construction to safely retain trees flagged for removal and ensure protection of all vegetation and individual trees which are to be retained.
All trees removed will be offset by additional plantings in the area and local advice will be sought to determine the best type of replacement tree to be planted and where they should be planted. We will also work with the Yarra Ranges Shire Council and the Department of Sustainability and Environment to determine the most suitable location for offset activities.
The risk to areas of high environmental importance and sensitivity will be minimised by using appropriate construction techniques, such as directional drilling and by locating the sewer mains clear of significant vegetation. Trenchless technology will be utilised wherever practical but will be limited in areas of shallow rock.
From a broader environmental perspective, the construction and application of the sewer system will greatly enhance the water quality within and outside the catchment area. This will result in a significant reduction in pollutants that are currently above EPA safe operating levels. The proposal will also significantly reduce additional nitrogen leaching into the natural environment, thereby restoring the ecosystem to its natural background levels, enhancing the quality of flora and fauna habitats and reducing vegetation dieback and weed invasion.
As required under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) has been prepared for the entire activity area. Within this CHMP are mechanisms to protect all known archaeological Aboriginal cultural heritage, and minimise the construction impact on any currently unknown archaeological Aboriginal cultural heritage located within the activity area.
Two Aboriginal heritage sites were located during the assessment and have been registered with the Aboriginal Affairs Victoria Heritage Register. The boundaries of these two sites are within road reserves and will not impact on nearby private properties.
The project team are available to provide information to the local community and help deal with any issues or concerns - call 1800 055 465 or email belgraveheights@sewl.com.au for more information.
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