To be located in central Gippsland, the Gippsland Water Factory is a world first, combining anaerobic pre-treatment with membrane bioreactor processing to effectively treat pulp mill wastewater.

JHL Civil installed 30 km of water pipelines through farmland, as well as natural and cultural heritage zones, as part of the establishment of the new wastewater treatment and recycling system.

Design and construction

The design and construction of the project was awarded by the Victorian Government to a consortium known as the Gippsland Water Factory Alliance (GWFA), consisting of Gippsland Water, Transfield Services, CH2M Hill and Parsons Brinckerhoff.

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GWFA was responsible for the supply of equipment, and JHL’s role expanded to include the installation of the sewer rising pipelines. Comdain was also contracted to construct and commission pump stations and sewer rising mains for the project.

Smolenaars Plumbing was a key subcontractor to JHL during the construction of a 10 km spread from Sale to Fulham.

Cultural heritage management

The major client requirements for this project were a flora and fauna assessment, net gain analysis and Cultural Heritage Management Plan in order to manage the pipeline’s construction through heritage areas along the route.

Of particular significance was the Rosedale Rail Crossing drill zone. This area contained a section of plains grassland adjacent to the location at which the transfer system crosses the Gippsland railway, west of Rosedale.

As discussions between JHL’s team, Greening Australia, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Wellington Shire Council, Victrack, V/Line and Parks Victoria progressed, JHL proposed a change in methodology that saw the remaining pipeline installed by open excavation. This resulted in the construction impact on significant grassland reduced from 370 m to approximately 120 m. The remaining tunnelling works involved the construction of drilling pits on either side of the railway line and at an exit point on Old Melbourne Road.

The process was monitored by GWFA environmental officers, DSE representatives and Greening Australia representatives, resulting in the setting of a new benchmark for DSE, which is now being used as a case study for similar works.

Tania Brooker of the DSE said “I am extremely happy with the works that have happened and congratulate JHL Civil, Comdain and the GWFA in achieving this outcome. I think this would be an excellent candidate for an engineering and environmental award.”