24/10/00
More than 500 homes in Spearwood and Hamilton Hill will be able to connect to reticulated sewerage under a $4 million infill sewerage project announced today.
Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said the project was one of the largest for the area under the ongoing $800 million infill sewerage program.
"This is a major commitment by the State Government to improve the local environment by protecting waterways and groundwater reserves," the Minister said.
"Unfortunately, nutrients from septic tanks have been able to easily percolate through the sand and limestone soils of the area to reach the water table.
"Now that we're drawing more and more on groundwater to boost Perth's drinking water supplies, it's essential we take every step to protect this precious resource."
Dr Hames said the project would connect a total of 573 properties in an area within Rockingham, Cockburn and Spearwood Roads. Construction would begin in late October and last 12 to 14 months.
Experienced infill sewerage program contractor Rob Carr Pty Ltd has been chosen to carry out the work.
The large project will involve construction of approximately 13km of gravity sewers, a 1.5km pressure main, mostly affecting Owen Road, and a pumping station situated in the north-west corner of Manning Park.
"The Water Corporation will use trenchless technology in some sections of this project to minimise disruption to residents," Dr Hames said.
"Microtunnelling will remove the need to dig trenches up to 10m deep through limestone, which would have been a major traffic and dust nuisance for nearby residents."
The Minister urged motorists to drive carefully and observe traffic control measures in Rockingham Road and other nearby streets during the construction phase.
"When we have a major project like this one, some inconvenience is going to be unavoidable,” he said.
"But if householders can be patient, the end result of an environmentally-friendly, virtually maintenance free sewerage system will be well worth it."
For more information, contact Water Corporation project manager Graham Currie on 9420 3113.
Media contacts:
Sandy Gater, Minister’s office, 9424 7450
Phil Kneebone, Water Corporation, 9420 3386
