Sewering Coastal Villages

Community Update: Sewering Coastal Villages Project – Mylestom Pump Station Feedback

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Community Information Session at Mylestom Hall on Saturday 30 November 2024 and provided feedback. We value your input and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns regarding the proposed location of the pump station in Mylestom.

Below, we have outlined responses to the key topics raised:

Rainbow Bee-Eater Nesting Grounds

The Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), identified in the project’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF), is categorised as ‘least concern’ under the Biodiversity Conservation Act.

To mitigate potential impacts:

• The successful contractor will be required to develop a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to manage and protect nests, with oversight from an ecologist.
• Works are expected to align with the end of the bird’s breeding season (approximately February), minimising disruption.
• Council will consult additional ecologists to ensure relocation strategies and protective measures are in place.

Environmental considerations remain a priority, and we will continue working with specialists to safeguard biodiversity.

Nippers' Use of the Area

We understand the importance of safe and accessible spaces for community programs like Nippers. However, the proposed pump station site, located over the footing of an old structure, minimises vegetation clearance compared to alternative locations.

Surf Club Grounds

The Surf Life Saving Club is an essential community hub. Council engaged with the club regarding the pump station's location in 2021 and will continue discussions, including an upcoming site visit with contractors PS Solutions to conduct an audit of the site.

Coastal Management Program

In the Coastal Management Program, which was exhibited to the community in April 2024, the following action outlined requirements around the Sewering Coastal Villages project:

6.6 Action W1: Implement the Sewering Coastal Villages Project

This large-scale project involves the connection of coastal villages in the lower estuary to a reticulated sewerage system.  This will reduce local sewage overflows into the estuary, reducing faecal contamination and wastewater pollution.  This aligns with the Bellingen Shire Biodiversity Strategy (Ecological Australia, 2021) which aims for measurable improvements in water quality across Bellinger-Kalang waterways; protection of foreshores, coastal lagoons, significant wetlands, and coastal saltmarsh; and restoration of the ecological function of high priority waterways and wetlands.

The project has already been designed and costed by Council in collaboration with the NSW Government and has received partial funding to improve wastewater treatment and infrastructure, including an upgrade of the Urunga Sewerage Treatment Plant and new pump stations. The project involves expansion of the sewer network to include:

• Mylestom – 180 residential lots, Mylestom Surf Life Saving Club and Reflections Holiday Park.
• Repton – 31 residential properties and the Bellinger River Tourist Park.
• Raleigh – 23 residential lots.
• Raleigh Industrial – 25 industrial lots with the capacity to connect to an additional 75 lots.

In consideration of this communication, the public facing information around the Sewering Coastal Villages project included advice as to the proposed location for the pump station in Mylestom which has been consistent since 2019.

Proposed Location: Key Considerations

The selected site near the Surf Life Saving Club offers several advantages:

• Minimal impact on Alma Doepel Reserve, a highly used public facility.
• Reduced vegetation clearance and disruption compared to alternative sites.
• Visual shielding from key public areas.
• Greater distance from residential zones to minimise noise, light spill, and after-hours access impacts.

Alternative sites, including Alma Doepel Reserve, presented greater challenges related to public use, vegetation, and accessibility.

Clarification on PS Solutions’ Role

PS Solutions is responsible solely for household audits and the design of the low-pressure sewer system. They have not been involved in the design or location selection for the Mylestom pump station. Please direct any further questions regarding the pump station to Council.

Thank you for your continued engagement with this important project. Council remains committed to transparency and working collaboratively with the community to deliver environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.

For further information or updates, please keep an eye on the project website or contact Council (council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au or 02 6655 7300).

Bellingen Shire Council hosted a site visit to the Urunga Sewage Treatment Plant (UTSP) on Monday 29 July with key stakeholders, showcasing the significant progress made in the first phase of the landmark Sewering Coastal Villages project. 

Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp MP and NSW Government representative Carla Antunes (Manager of Safe and Secure Water Program) were invited to a site visit, led by Mayor Cr. Steve Allan and Council staff. The tour provided attendees with an in-depth look at the advancements achieved since construction commenced earlier this year. 

This crucial upgrade aims to modernise wastewater services across Bellingen Shire's coastal communities, ensuring robust infrastructure for the future and enhancing environmental protection. 

The Sewering Coastal Villages project is funded by over $11 million from the NSW Government and more than $27 million from Bellingen Shire Council. 

"Today's site visit was an excellent opportunity to showcase some of the early progress made in this landmark project,” said Mayor Cr. Steve Allan.

“It was great to show Michael and Carla firsthand the work being progressed, which will be key to providing sustainable and efficient wastewater services for our coastal communities. 

“I wanted to thank the NSW Government for their support with funding, and both Michael and Carla for making the time to visit the site and see the importance of this significant project for our Shire.” 

The upgrade of the Urunga Sewage Treatment Plant to double its capacity to cater for up to 10 thousand people is being carried out by experienced company Leed Engineering. 

The tender process for Phase 2, which involves installing low pressure sewerage systems in Raleigh and Mylestom, is expected to get underway later this year.

To read the full story and view the photo gallery, click here.

Construction is underway to upgrade the Urunga Sewage Treatment Plant as part of an overhaul of wastewater services across Bellingen Shire’s coastal communities to ensure they’re equipped with infrastructure for the future that will deliver the best possible environmental protection.

The landmark Sewering Coastal Villages project is funded thanks to more than $11 million from the NSW Government and over $27 million from Bellingen Shire Council against its long term financial plan.

It will provide modern sewerage services to areas such as Mylestom and Raleigh for the first time, connecting over 200 properties to the expanded sewage treatment plant and removing the need for on-site septic tanks which pose a risk to the iconic Kalang and Bellinger Rivers.

These rivers have previously been closed due to contamination which impacts public health, wetlands and local businesses.

The upgrade of the Urunga Sewage Treatment Plant to double its capacity to cater for up to 10 thousand people is being carried out by experienced company Leed Engineering, which won a competitive tender process that was.

Phase 1 of the project (the plant upgrade) will involve increased heavy vehicle movement on roads in the area and some potential noise impacts for residents who have been notified.

The tender process for Phase 2, which involves installing low pressure sewerage systems in Raleigh and Mylestom, is expected to get underway later this year.

Community members can also now access a report that outlines a historical timeline of the key decisions and milestones throughout the project.

Council has created an interactive map to show what properties are impacted.

INTERACTIVE MAP

Yes, all properties identified in the scheme areas would be required to connect to sewerage within 18 months of sewerage being available. Council has power under Section 124 of the Local Government Act to order properties to connect to sewer within 75 metres of reticulated sewerage.

Council will cover the cost of the connecting pipe work if the new grinder pump is to be located adjacent to the decommissioned septic system.

Note: this infers that the property owner will be required to pay for pipe work in situations where they choose to have the new grinder pump not located adjacent to the decommissioned septic system.  This is not a common scenario as most property owners are happy to have the new grinder pump located close to the decommissioned septic system.

Yes, once sewerage services are connected, there will be an annual charge for landowners in accordance with Council's Fees & Charges.

In 2023/24, the sewerage charge was $1132 per annum for residential properties with a standard connection. Landowners will also need to pay the cost of electricity to run the domestic sewer pump, this is estimated to be between $52 and $65 per year. 

Once the sewer is connected, landowners will not have the cost of pumping out the septic tank or paying septic inspection fees. Pump out costs depend on the number of people using the septic system and cost between $300 - $400 per time. The septic inspection fee is $158 per time.

Council will maintain all sewer infrastructure from the street to the storage tank and pump. The maintenance cost of pressure sewer systems is included in the annual sewer connected charge so there is no cost to the property owner for maintenance. Landowners will be provided with an operations manuals detailing items that should not be put down the sewer. If the cause of the problem is the property has put material down the sewer which they shouldn't such as wipes, nappies or oil, Council may charge the property the cost of the repairs.

You should hold off or complete minimal repairs to keep the system operating until February 2025. However, if the system has completely failed you must replace it at your cost.

Council will decommission existing septic systems and leave them in place along with any absorption trenches. If landowner wish to fully remove the existing system, this may be completed after the project at their own cost.

Council will offer an amnesty on unapproved structures/buildings to land owners in the Scheme’s footprint. Council will work closely with owners to provide guidance and advice on what applications need to be made to Council in order to have these structures/buildings assessed. Each application will be assessed on its merits in accordance with the relevant planning legislation.

No, Council is connecting the sewer to the coastal villages because of the public health and environmental benefits.

Overall there is limited potential for growth in the sewer system areas. The system is only being sized to accommodate a limited number of extra connections consisting of identified infill, vacant blocks and a minimal number of town house developments.

Once the sewer system is in place the capacity of the system will not be able to be increased in the future to respond to new development. Rural land that has already been zoned for development will be accommodated by the sewer system but there will be no capacity within the system for any new land releases.

The land on the corner of Keevers Drive and Perry’s Road in Repton is currently zoned for residential purposes. While the land is yet to be developed, there is the potential for over 200 new residential lots to be accommodated on the land (subject to a detailed subdivision design). This kind of subdivision is referred to ‘greenfield development’ The sewer system will be able to service this land if it is ever developed.

In January 2020 Council approved the Bellingen Shire Local Housing Strategy. This 20 year strategy outlines Council’s approach to future growth across the Shire. The Strategy commits to new growth within existing towns through well designed infill rather than releasing further rural land for subdivisions. It includes infill growth goals for different locations across the Shire over 20 years. Overall Council anticipates that half of the Shires growth over the next 20 years will come from well- designed infill with the remainder coming from subdivisions on land that has already been zoned for development. 

The infill growth goal for Mylestom, Repton and Raleigh is 56 dwellings over 20 years. 

Significant growth is expected in Urunga over the same period. There is land in Urunga currently zoned for development that has the capacity for up to 1,000 extra dwellings. 

Community members can access a report on the major milestones and Council decisions related to the Sewering Coastal Villages project.

Click here(PDF, 182KB) to access the report.