Marine construction finished at Belmont desalination plant

newy.com.au – Major offshore construction for the Belmont Desalination Plant has finished, clearing the way for the jack-up barge stationed off Nine Mile Beach to leave the area.

The specialist vessel has returned briefly to the CTB Yard in the Port of Newcastle before departing for its next project. Hunter Water had told residents the barge would remain off Belmont until the marine work was complete.

The work included construction of an 830-metre tunnel beneath the seabed, installation of an offshore intake dome and recovery of the tunnel boring machine, named Rhiannan, from the ocean.

The tunnel will carry seawater to the plant for treatment, while the dome will protect the offshore intake structure and allow water to enter the system.

Hunter Water executive manager infrastructure delivery Justin Watts said the offshore tunnelling and recovery of the boring machine were among the project’s most technically complex tasks.

“I’d like to thank the Belmont community, local businesses, beach users and stakeholders for their patience and support while these works were carried out,” Mr Watts said.

“With marine works now complete and the jack-up barge having departed, our focus remains on constructing the desalination plant and associated infrastructure needed to connect it to the wider water network.”

Work is continuing on the treatment plant and the infrastructure required to deliver desalinated water into Hunter Water’s network. Hunter Water has not specified in the announcement when the plant is expected to begin operating.

The plant is being built as a drought-resistant addition to the Lower Hunter’s water supply. It is designed to produce as much as 30 million litres of drinking water a day, equivalent to about 15 per cent of the region’s average daily demand.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said completing the marine work brought the project closer to operation.

“Once operational, this desalination plant will be a game changer for the Hunter,” Ms Catley said. “It will provide an important new source of water, strengthen the security of our supply and give families and businesses greater confidence as our region continues to grow.”