JULY 2023

The work undertaken in July has consisted of protecting the equalisation basins from further damage from broader surface runoff from roadways to prevent additional damage.

Backfill operations have continued when conditions are conducive, with fill imported and placed on site during July.

Works have continued on construction of equalisation basin overflow pipe to outlet  and ring beams are expected to recommence construction in August should weather remain favourable.

JUNE 2023

Work was progressing well and the project was on track prior to the weather events in early June.  Damage was caused to the surfaces of the lagoons and hampered progress due to the volume of water as a result of the heavy rain and surface run off.

The project is now in caretaker mode until more suitable weather.

MAY 2023

The new lagoons are fully formed and work has begun on the installation of the Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL). The GCL is one of the two protective barriers (Liners) required to prevent the ingress of ground water into the lagoons and for the egress of sewerage into the water table.  The GCL liner installation was successfully completed on the 19 May 2023.

The leak detection pipework has also been installed and work has begun on the installation of the Ring Beams. It is anticipated that the Ring Beams will be completed early June 2023, with the installation of the HDPE liner to commence shortly afterwards.

The contractor continues to provide onsite management for the remaining fill deliveries and are providing safe entry and exit for the contractors delivering the fill sourced by Council to the site.  The contractor is continuing to provide the additional fill required to completely fill the Eastern Lagoon from the Hanson Quarry at Kanmantoo.

Construction activities continue on several fronts being; pipework & conduits installation, construction & installation of the concrete Ring Beams, installation of the final poly liner and the filling in of the remaining Eastern Lagoon.

Overall the project is 80% completed as at the 30 May 2023.

APRIL 2023

The lagoon embankments are at full height prior to the final trim and the placement of rubble. The foot print of the new lagoons is completed and has risen approximately three and a half metres from the Eastern Lagoon floor.

Construction activities continue on several fronts being; pipework & conduits installation, construction & installation of the concrete Ring Beam, placement of the Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL), preparation for the installation of the final poly liner and the filling in of the remaining Eastern Lagoon.

Work is continuing to progress well with only two days lost to inclement weather, the project is on track for completion in mid-June 2023.

JANUARY 2023

Council is continuing works to fill in the lagoon at the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Spring Road as part of the preparation for the upgrading of the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Springs Road, Mount Barker.

Council has recognised that the existing lagoon based treatment process in its present configuration is not sufficient to meet the expected future inflows to a consistent suitable level and will no longer be able to address water quality environmental requirements.

The new round of fill deliveries to the Laratinga Water Recovery Plant (LWRP) will commence the week of Monday 30 January 2023.

Traffic control will continue and the condition of the Access Road & Springs Road will be monitored throughout with water carts & street sweepers deployed as required.

Your cooperation and understanding during these times will be greatly appreciated and will ensure the safety of all.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Effluent from individual properties’ septic tanks in Mount Baker, Littlehampton, Nairne and sewerage from Brukunga and Mt Barker is collected for treatment at Council’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on Springs Road Mount Barker.  The plant currently purifies the water to a high standard via a series of lagoons and biological treatment processes.  The treated water is then reused for the Laratinga Wetlands, irrigation of vines, stock watering, the watering of ovals parks & gardens.

To cater for existing and future flows, a new WWTP on Springs Road is currently being designed, with construction planned to begin mid-2024. The new WWTP will be constructed in the area currently occupied by the Eastern Storage Lagoon (ESL). To ensure the existing WWTP is capable of treating inflows until the new WWTP is completed, the existing Western Aeration Lagoon (WAL) is to be desludged to remove residual biosolids & sediment.

The residual biosolids & sediment in the WAL are the result of settling (comprising accumulated dead algae and sediment) and is a normal part of the lagoon process. These biosolids & sediments have been removed previously and stored at Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road Nairne as an operational requirement every few years.

The biosolids & sediments that are collected from the bottom of the WAL will be transported in a semi-dry state, to Council’s licenced receival site at Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road Nairne. Council has engaged Dredging Solutions Pty Ltd and anticipates this work to commence in September 2022.

The transportation of the dried biosolids will involve the use of a semi-trailer with six to ten deliveries per day. The semi-trailer used by Dredging Solutions to transport the biosolids to Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road Nairne is licensed to carry biosolids and is sealed in accordance with the company’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) license.

As per pervious desludging works, the semi-trailer will enter Council’s site from Princes Hwy. The section of gravel road from Princes Hwy to Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road will be monitored by Council. Maintenance grading of this section of Ironstone Range Road will occur as required to maintain the road surface.

No observable odours are expected (as per previous activities of a similar nature) at the site boundary and all stockpiled materials are non-toxic in nature, with no potential for environmental impact.

These processes will be undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) ‘Draft South Australian Bio-Solids Guidelines (2009)’.  Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road Nairne is licensed to receive biosolids & sediment by the EPA.  Only contractors that are licenced by the EPA to perform this type of work are engaged by Council.

Earlier this year in order to prepare the Ironstone Range Road site for deliveries, Council engaged earthmoving contractors to prepare a bunded area to receive the partially stabilised biosolids. Council notified the EPA of Council’s intentions to conduct desludging of the WAL and invited the EPA to inspect the biosolids storage site at Lot 201 Ironstone Range Road Nairne, to ensure Council’s compliance with the guidelines.

Desludging works will commence the week of 19 September 2022 and Council anticipates that the works will be completed by December 2022/January 2023.

AUGUST 2022

Mount Barker District Council’s wastewater treatment plant on Springs Road currently services the townships of Mount Barker, Littlehampton, Nairne and Brukunga, and is the largest council operated wastewater treatment facility in South Australia.

The council has today 5 August 2022 released to the open market, via VendorPanel Marketplace, the procurement of a wastewater treatment plant in Mount Barker to service existing customers and growth.

To receive notification of the tender release and access the procurement documentation, suitable organisations will need to register with VendorPanel specifically for the category of Water and Sewage and any other category that may be relevant to their company.

“The new Wastewater Treatment Plant will have a positive impact on our local environment as well as providing an essential service for existing customers, Mount Barker District Council CEO, Andrew Stuart said,

“It will also have capacity for significant population growth and will support future productive re-use opportunities for the treated water thereby supporting our economy.”

Further details can be found on the council’s website www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au and registrations can be made on VendorPanel at marketplace.vendorpanel.com

JULY 2022

The Mount Barker District Council is committed to maintaining infrastructure throughout the district and has in place a number of wastewater renewal and upgrade programs that takes into account input from local residents and service providers.

Effluent from individual properties’ septic tanks in Mount Barker, Littlehampton, Nairne and sewerage from Brukunga and Mt Barker is collected for treatment at Council’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on Springs Road, Mount Barker. The plant currently treats the water to a recycled water standard via a series of lagoons and biological treatment processes. The treated water is then reused for the Laratinga Wetlands, irrigation of vines, stock watering, the watering of ovals and parks and reserves .

The wastewater treatment plant is nearing the end of its economic useful life and requires an upgrade to improve its performance and cater for future population growth.

Council has recognised that the existing lagoon based treatment process in its present configuration is not sufficient to meet the expected future inflows to a consistent suitable level and will no longer be able to address water quality environmental requirements.

A major upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant is planned to occur in two stages during the next 10-15 years.  Recent interim capital works have been completed to extend the life of the current plant and improve performance in the short term and continue to serve the community until the new plant is commissioned and online.

Some of the objectives to be included in the new treatment plant are a smaller footprint for processing buildings and lagoons, reduced odour levels and energy saving processes including solar where possible.

An open market procurement process will shortly commence to select the preferred contractor to undertake the works included in Stage 1. The works will be located at 100 Springs Road with preliminary construction proposed to commence later in 2022 followed by the main plant construction in 2023 however these activities are not expected to have any material impact on adjacent or nearby properties although some additional heavy machinery noise and movements could be experienced. All activities will be undertaken within the current EPA requirements for wastewater, noise and road use.

MAY 2022

AUDIT AND RISK COMMITEE REVIEWS REPORT