Ruffey Lake Park among possible sites for massive Doncaster sewage plant

A $25 MILLION sewage treatment plant needed to serve 5500 new homes in Doncaster could be built at a landmark park that is home to a popular festivals that attracts thousands of people.

Ruffey Lake Park is one of the sites mooted for a huge sewage treatment plant. Picture: Supplied

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A GIANT $25 million sewage treatment plant could be built at the landmark Ruffey Lake Park or the Doncaster Park and Ride.

Yarra Valley Water is assessing five sites for the 2400 sqm plant. The other three are Frank Sedgman Reserve, Eram Park or Tram Road Reserve, where it unsuccessfully tried to build it back in 2012. It was knocked back after outrage over falling property prices and odour.

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Now the water authority is eyeing a site in the southeast corner of Ruffey Lake Park, near the intersection of Victoria and George streets.

Manningham Council’s Carols by Candlelight is held at the popular park, which also hosted the a four-day Food Truck Carnival attended by tens of thousands attending in November.

A big crowd enjoys Carols by Candlelight at Ruffey Lake Park.

The southern point of Doncaster Park and Ride is another option. The facility has only 400 car spaces and is jam-packed early every morning as the 1200 daily bus commuters scramble for parking.

Manningham Leader has long lobbied for spare land to be used to expand the Park and Ride with our ‘Get on Board’ campaign, a call echoed by State Opposition Leader, Bulleen MP Matthew Guy.

The Frank Sedgman Reserve site is between Koonung Creek and the Eastern Freeway, near the intersection of the freeway and Station St.

Users of the Doncaster Park and Ride are finding it difficult to get a carpark. Picture: Richard Serong

The Eram Park proposal is east of Tram Road Reserve just north of the freeway, and lies in neighbouring Whitehorse. The water authority says this is the preferred option.

The plant will treat waste and sewage water from toilets, baths, showers, and sinks across Doncaster.

The water will then be recycled and used by 5500 new homes in the Doncaster Hill precinct around Westfield and the Mirvac development of the old Eastern Golf Club.

Chris Brace, Yarra Valley Water project director, said an independent panel would consult with the community and provide a final recommendation for the location of the site.

The first community consultation will be at Manningham Council’s Doncaster Rd headquarters on Monday (September 11) from 11.30am.