Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is assessing a works approval application for upgrade works at an existing wastewater treatment plant in Drouin that holds a current EPA licence.
The plant, operated by Central Gippsland Region Water Corporation, treats sewage from the Drouin township. Due to rapid population growth, the company is seeking to upgrade the capacity of the existing plant.
Central Gippsland Region Water Corporation’s current EPA licence allows it to discharge treated wastewater to Shillinglaw Creek.
Proposed works at the treatment plant include the development of a new membrane bio-reactor for improved wastewater treatment performance.
EPA will assess the proposal against all relevant environmental policies and guidelines and look at any potential environmental and human health impacts that could result from the proposed development, including, but not limited to, odour, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater treatment and discharge and reuse of wastewater.
Central Gippsland Region Water Corporation’s full application is available online at: https://engage.vic.gov.au/epa-works-approvals/drouin-wastewater-treatment-plant-upgrade
Members of the public are welcome to make submissions regarding the proposal until Wednesday 6 February 2019. Submissions can either be emailed to worksapproval@epa.vic.gov.au or by mail:
EPA Victoria
GPO Box 4395
Melbourne VIC 3001
Works approvals are issued by EPA under the Environment Protection Act 1970. They are required for industrial and waste management activities that have the potential for significant environmental impact.
A works approval permits plant and equipment to be installed, the operation of which will result in one or more of:
- the discharge of waste to the environment
- an increase in, or alteration to, an existing discharge
- a change in the way waste is treated or stored.
The company has created a dedicated webpage for the project: https://www.gippswater.com.au/residential/what-we-do/major-projects/drouin-wastewater-treatment-plant