Tanilba Bay upgrade to enable sustainable growth of Port Stephens

Construction work is well underway on a major upgrade of Tanilba Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, to ensure it can meet the needs of the growing local population and deliver even better environmental outcomes for decades to come.

Hunter Water is investing $24 million in the project to improve the reliability and performance of the plant.

“We’re excited to be getting on with delivering this important project, which will mean we can reliably service the growing Tilligerry Peninsula population until 2040,” said Hunter Water’s Acting Chief Investment Officer, Stuart Horvath.

“The upgrade involves construction of a larger capacity plant, with modern, improved treatment processes such as a new UV disinfection system.

In addition to benefiting the local community, the Tanilba Bay upgrade has also provided a helping hand to the Port Stephens koala population, with support from Hunter Water’s contract partner.

“Downer and Hunter Water worked together to look for opportunities for reuse, so it was an easy decision when we found an opportunity to donate some foliage to two local organisations,” said Downer Senior Project Manager Chris Frost.

“Part of the project has involved removing some trees from the site to cater for the additional infrastructure. Rather than being turned into mulch, we reached out to Oakvale Wildlife Park and Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to provide some Eucalyptus robusta as koala feed.

“We’re really pleased to have been able to make this donation to support these organisations and assist in providing additional habitat for our native wildlife,” said Mr Frost.

The project is on track to be completed in mid-2021.