VIC

18 Outfalls

Click a region to view outfall data

This future management of Australia’s 144 ocean and estuary outfalls requires ready availability of information to aid decision makers in Federal, State and Local Governments and inform NGOs and the general public of the current situation and future options. The volume of ocean and estuary outfall discharge can be reduced through increased wastewater reuse and recycling. There is also a need that all economic, environmental and social benefits and impacts are accounted for when alternatives to outfalls are considered. The National Outfall Database will provide key information to all stakeholders to drive water reform discussions.

PLEASE CLICK ON A REGION ON THE MAP TO VIEW PRELIMINARY OUTFALL DATA

GUNNAMATTA OUTFALL HISTORY - Australia's largest by volume shoreline outfall

BACKGROUND

* In 2001 Melbourne Water issued a press release stating the upgrade was going ahead. 

* On 19 December 2001, Melbourne Water applied for works approval for "upgrade of treatment process to facilitate increased recycling and address environmental impact of effluent discharge.” The commencement date for the proposed works was 30 June 2002 (final plans by 30th June 2003) and the completion date is 30 June 2008.

* The works approval included both the upgrade of the treatment plant to ‘Class A’ Tertiary and a 2km extension of the shoreline disposal pipeline at Gunnamatta beach.

* The Foundation sought legal advice and commenced a VCAT action to try and separate the upgrade of the treatment plant and the outfall pipeline extension in the works approval. VCAT threw out the action and subsequently the Foundation proceeded to seek leave to appeal in the Supreme Court. This leave was granted, and a further visit to VCAT resulted. The draft SEPP had now been enacted in the laws of the state of Victoria stating that outfalls were acceptable method of disposal of waste if no other means are “available”. The Foundation withdrew its application. These courtroom proceedings also delayed the issue of Melbourne Water’s final plans- due initially 30th June 2003. These plans have now been delayed until December 2004.

* In June 2004 the Victorian Government announced that a feasibility study would be undertaken to transfer recycled water from the Eastern Treatment Plant to the Latrobe Valley.

* In December 2004, MW applied to the EPA to delay the works for a further 2 years to review the results of the feasibility study.

* Melbourne Water and the state government state that the feasibility study could lead to a massive infrastructure project that has the potential to use up to 80% of the plant's semi-treated effluent.

*The federal government has recently allocated $1M towards the feasibility study.

* If approved, the project would involve building a 135-kilometre pipeline from the plant to the Latrobe Valley. Recycled water could be supplied to the Latrobe Valley's power stations, paper industry and new industries, substituting the use of surface water from the catchment. Appropriately treated water may be used in the Macalister Irrigation District for agriculture.

MEANWHILE...

Melbourne Water daily breaches their license requirements and fails to meet the requirements of the State Environment Protection Policy. Odour, foam and debris on the beach are daily breaches of the license.

* Clean Ocean Foundation has demonstrated that the Boags Rocks outfall is operating in contravention of the SEPP (State Environment Protection Policy).

* Melbourne Water continually puts the public at risk. The EPA have failed in their duty to enforce policy by continually ignoring the daily breaches, providing lenience (licence amendment) for failures in performance, and condones Melbourne Waters failure to abide to sampling regimes (missing results), and provides delayed and inaccurate public reporting.

CONCLUSION…

This feasibility project like others is a delaying tactic should not impede the current Works Approval to upgrade the treatment to Class A at the ETP.

* The upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant is required whether the wastewater is directed to Latrobe Valley or is used more locally. The quality of Class C wastewater negates its use in industry and agriculture due to its high suspended solids concentrations and the presence of bacteria and viruses at varying concentrations. The delivery of Class A treated wastewater is a vital component in ensuring that industry and agriculture are provided with a suitable and safe alternative that doesn’t compromise the consumer or the environment.

* Melbourne Water is aware of the future shortages Melbourne is faced with yet refuses to be accountable for the wastage that they allow everyday.

* In Victoria Melbourne Water dumps wastewater at a rate of 1 billion litres everyday (Werribee and Gunnamatta) despite 99.9% of the wastewater being freshwater.

* Melbourne Water claim that ~11.4% of wastewater at the ETP is recycled yet fail to reveal that 1.2% of this is reused by external customers and 10.2% of this is reused onsite at the ETP. So Melbourne Water can meet its objective of recycling 20% of its treated effluent by 2010 simply by leaving the tap on in their own backyard.

* The federal government $2billion Smart Water Fund has been made available to assist with infrastructure water projects like the upgrade of the eastern treatment plant on a dollar for dollar basis. The upgrade of the treatment plant (estimated cost $120M) fits the criteria. 

* Melbourne Water is showing that they are not serious about water reuse by refusing to access these funds whilst they available.

* Years of plundering of water revenue for state coffers to fund more ‘appropriate’ projects has resulted in the current state of our water infrastructure.

Aresnic found at 13th Beach

New tests find arsenic at surf coast beaches

August 2006

Clean Ocean Foundation has undertaken heavy metal water testing at the beach of Bancoora Life Saving Club and at nearby 13th Beach. Sadly the tests revealed elevated levels of arsenic, chromium and iron at both sites. High nickel concentrations were also found at 13th Beach.

"It is disturbing that the first heavy metal test we have ever conducted here has revealed high levels of arsenic and chromium. The concentrations of these toxins are well above natural background levels that would be expected." stated Mark Akester, Environmental Scientist from the Clean Ocean Foundation. These heavy metals are in the surf due to the industrial & trade waste in the 60 million litres of Geelong's sewage discharged every day at the Black Rock Outfall between Bancoora and 13th Beach.

 "I am concerned that the proposed sludge drying facility at Black Rock will increase the levels of heavy metals in the effluent and therefore on our beaches." said Mr. Akester.

"It's heartbreaking and sad that Barwon Water will add to the toxic pollution load at Black Rock by proposing a sludge drying factory that will pour its toxic effluent out through the sewage outfall." says Sharon Marshall, a local resident campaigning for awareness of this damaging practice.

Arsenic is a potent poison linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate.

"It is frightening to think what we have been fishing, swimming and surfing in for the last 30 years when you see toxins like this turning up. Currently sewage discharge to recreational waters are not subject to specific regulation in Victoria, only to nonenforceable guidelines. This means the State Government and State owned entities such as Barwon Water can make beach users sick with no legal ramifications. Where are the warning signs? If it may be unsafe to swim at these beaches let the public know." stated Mr. Akester.

Simon Collier, President of the 13th Beach Boardriders states: .The recent identification of toxic material found in and around the waters of 13th Beach is of great concern to the surfing community..

The proposed sludge drying facility also troubles Mr. Collier: "Our members enter these waters on a daily basis and the proposed changes to the sewage facility may increase the toxic outfall and potentially harming local surfers and swimmers. It is always in the back of our (surfers) minds that the sewage and toxic effluent poured out of Black Rock makes it back to shore and now with these tests confirming this we are becoming increasingly concerned. The fact that the latest test found toxic material when the wind was offshore increases our concern. Our coast line is constantly battered with strong onshore winds, providing a higher risk of these toxins making it back to shore." said Mr. Collier.

"The surfing community is alarmed with the latest test results conducted by the Clean Ocean Foundation" concluded Mr. Collier.

Clean Ocean Foundation is conducting a chemical and biological sampling program of Surf Coast beaches to assess public health risk and damage to the marine environment. Complete results will be released prior to the November state election.

The foundation is accepting donations for further water testing on the Surf Coast at www.cleanocean.org. (The Clean Ocean Foundation is a non-profit, apolitical organisation campaigning for clean oceans, beaches and inland waters in Australia).

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