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Work on the three components of the Coliban Water-managed interim solution for addressing Bendigo's rising groundwater is on schedule to be completed by mid-2017.
The Bendigo Groundwater Project involves the construction of a 5.4 kilometre pipeline connecting a new groundwater treatment plant at the New Moon Mine in Eaglehawk to a new brine storage lagoon at Coliban Water’s Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant in Epsom.
The Victorian government has provided more than $29 million in funding to manage rising groundwater in mine voids beneath Bendigo.
Bendigo Groundwater Project director David Sheehan said work on the pipeline started in April within the plant and was progressing along Simpsons Road towards Lake Neangar.
“The pipeline construction works have been designed to limit inconvenience to residents. The Simpsons Road section is being built using directional boring, a trenchless technique that minimises excavation and prevents damage to trees and root systems,” he said.
“There will be some short-term disturbances for residents, such as traffic management and noise. We have notified residents and will communicate directly with any residents affected as the works progress along Simpsons Road.”
About 60 per cent of the plant has been built offsite and onsite construction at the New Moon Mine is scheduled to begin next week.
“Despite the heavy rainfall in April, earthworks for the new brine lagoon are 80 per cent finished. Once the earthworks are completed the lagoon will be lined with polyethylene to make it waterproof,” Mr Sheehan said.
“The brine lagoon will be capable of holding 270 megalitres, the equivalent volume of 108 Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
Ward Bros from Rochester are the contractors for the brine storage lagoon, Lendlease are building the groundwater treatment plant and Veolia Water Network are constructing the pipeline.
The pipeline, treatment plant and storage lagoon aim deliver a four-year solution to manage the rising groundwater in the Central Deborah Gold Mine and mine voids beneath Bendigo. It is scheduled to be fully operational by mid-2017.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is working with the community, stakeholders and local agencies to identify a long-term solution for managing Bendigo's groundwater.
