This week’s water sector activity focused on water security, infrastructure renewal, environmental protection, education and community engagement, with utilities and governments investing in resilient services and stronger connections with the communities they serve.
From regional water supplies and major desalination works to wetland protection, water literacy and essential network upgrades, the latest developments highlight the diverse work underway across the sector.
Marine works completed for Belmont desalination plant
Hunter Water has completed major marine construction for the Belmont Desalination Plant, including an 830-metre seawater intake tunnel and offshore intake dome.
The specialist jack-up barge used for the works has departed Belmont, while construction continues on the treatment plant and infrastructure connecting it to the wider water network.
Hunter Water Executive Manager Infrastructure Delivery Justin Watts said: “These works involved some of the most technically complex construction activities undertaken on the project, including offshore tunnelling beneath the seabed, installation of the intake dome and the successful recovery of the tunnel boring machine from the ocean.”
Final pipeline laid for Northern Midlands scheme
The final section of pipeline has been laid for the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, completing its 152.4-kilometre pipeline network.
The $217.96 million project will provide 25,500 megalitres of highly reliable irrigation water each year to about 50 irrigators across Tasmania’s Northern Midlands.
Tasmanian Irrigation CEO Mike Sylvester said: “More than just pipes in the ground, this project is about water security for generations of Tasmanian farmers.”
Regional WA communities receive water security funding
Fifteen projects across regional Western Australia will share more than $901,000 to improve water security, emergency firefighting capacity and access to non-scheme supplies.
The projects include new storage infrastructure, rainwater and stormwater harvesting, irrigation upgrades, strategic planning and mobile water supply assets.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said: “Secure and reliable access to water supplies is vital for regional towns to survive and thrive. This funding investment will strengthen community water security, bolster emergency firefighting capability, and reduce reliance on scheme water supplies.”
Hinze Dam marks 50 years of water security
Seqwater is celebrating 50 years of Hinze Dam, recognising its role in supporting water security and recreation on the Gold Coast.
Built in 1976, the dam underwent major upgrades in 1989 and 2011. The latest upgrade doubled its capacity to more than 310,000 megalitres and delivered a fishway that has since helped transfer more than 500,000 native fish upstream.
Seqwater Manager Operations Southern Region Brendan Coady said: “Most people don't think about where their water comes from when they turn on the tap, but for 50 years, Hinze Dam has been working behind the scenes to provide clean, safe, and reliable drinking water that Gold Coasters depend on every day.”
Port Lincoln water main replacement underway
SA Water is replacing about 480 metres of water main beneath Dublin Street and Luke Street in Port Lincoln. The project forms part of the utility’s four-year, statewide $287 million water main management program and involves installing flexible PVC pipe designed to resist ground movement.
SA Water General Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Peter Seltsikas said: “With a typical lifespan of around 100 years, this upgrade ensures we can continue to provide reliable water services to our local customers into the future.”
Water education program expands to Alice Springs
Power and Water’s That’s My Water! education program has expanded to Central Australia for the first time, helping Alice Springs students explore their local water and wastewater systems.
The 10-week program uses hands-on activities, real-world examples and immersive technology, including a virtual reality journey from the Roe Creek Borefields to the town’s elevated water tanks.
Power and Water Manager Water Demand Joel Spry said: “Teachers play an important role in inspiring curiosity, and providing hands-on activities and a new virtual experience will bring the local water story to life.”
New survey to map Menindee Lakes
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority and NSW Government have initiated a new survey of the Menindee Lakes System to update data on lake capacity and physical changes since the previous survey in 2003.
SA Water will begin surveying Lake Pamamaroo in early September before moving to lakes Wetherell, Menindee and Cawndilla and the Weir 32 weir pool.
MDBA Senior Director River Modernisation Dr Joseph Davis said: “This work will map the shape and depth of the lakebeds, show how water moves through the system and help us understand how sediment may have changed over time.”
Melbourne Water responds to H5 bird flu
Melbourne Water has moved its H5 bird flu incident management team from preparedness to response as detections continue across Greater Melbourne.
The Western Treatment Plant remains closed to birdwatchers, while monitoring continues at the Edithvale-Seaford wetlands, Eastern Treatment Plant and other ecologically significant sites.
Melbourne Water Executive General Manager Service Delivery Sue Jackman said: “The simple message to any visitors is this: avoid, record, and report the sighting of any sick or dead wildlife, and let us work with Victorian authorities in responding, particularly where wildlife is found on Melbourne Water land.”
Visitors are advised not to touch, move or dispose of sick or dead wildlife.
Cressy community helps shape reservoir mural
TasWater and Northern Midlands Council are inviting the Cressy community to help create a large-scale mural celebrating the town’s people, places and heritage.
Tasmanian artist James Cowan, known professionally as Kreamart, will use community input to develop two concepts for a public vote before the final design is selected.
TasWater Community Programs Manager Louis van Ek said: “But this project is about much more than infrastructure. It’s an opportunity to showcase the people, places and stories that make Cressy special.”
The project forms part of TasWater’s Community Art Program, which transforms essential infrastructure into public artworks.
New sewer supports Wollert’s growth
Yarra Valley Water has completed the $20 million Love Branch Sewer in Wollert, delivering additional sewerage capacity for more than 20,000 existing and future properties.
Delivered with MFJ Constructions, the project involved connecting a new two-kilometre gravity sewer to the existing network. Construction measures included reusing dried drilling slurry as backfill and repurposing crushed rock for access tracks and trench works.
Yarra Valley Water Deputy General Manager Asset Delivery and Care Simon Willis said: “This upgrade provides the sewerage capacity needed to support Wollert’s rapid growth and ensures our network remains reliable for the community.”
Winter works strengthen Goulburn-Murray network
Goulburn-Murray Water has completed its 2026 Winter Works program, improving the efficiency and reliability of its water delivery network during the irrigation off-season.
Works included desilting, remodelling and rock armouring sections of channels near Waaia and Lockington, as well as replacing or repairing ageing culverts across several locations.
Goulburn-Murray Water General Manager Infrastructure Delivery Services Alan Shea said: “A key focus of this year’s program was repairing and remodelling channel banks, which has improved water delivery and flow.”
Conference puts local water security in focus
Water security for rural, regional and remote communities will take centre stage at the 2026 Water Management Conference in Ballina from 2 to 4 September.
Hosted by Local Government NSW and Ballina Shire Council, with support from Rous County Council, the conference will explore infrastructure, funding, climate resilience, water quality and emerging technologies.
Local Government NSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said: “Safe drinking water is not optional - it's a basic human right, and it should never depend on your postcode.
“This conference brings together the people who plan, operate and manage one of the most essential services in rural and regional NSW. It’s an opportunity to share ideas, tackle common challenges and prepare for the future.”
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