Engineering firm asked to come up with plan to reroute Macquarie Point sewer main

Further underground work is in the pipeline at Macquarie Point, with consultants hired to come up with a plan to divert a sewer main to allow for development.

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CONSULTANTS have been hired to come up with a plan to divert a sewer main to allow for development at Macquarie Point.

Engineering firm Johnstone McGee and Gandy have been awarded a $77,335 contract for the due diligence, design and production of construction tender documentation for the diversion of the 420m Hobart main sewer which passes through the Macquarie Point Development Corporation site.

Although Macquarie Point’s wastewater treatment plant is set to be relocated to Selfs Point to allow for redevelopment of the waterfront site, sewage will still be required to pass through the site via a pumping station.

Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina said the realignment of the sewer is the first step in preparing the site for the Antarctic and science precinct.

“The current alignment of the sewer runs approximately one third of the way into one of the parcels of land earmarked for the Antarctic and science precinct,” Ms Massina said.

Macquarie Point. Picture: Chris Kidd

The sewer runs from Evans Street, adjacent the Goods Shed, and cuts diagonally across the site to the wastewater treatment plant.

The new design will relocate the pipework to run alongside parcel B, adjacent to the public open space and trafficable area.

“The sewer line dates back to circa 1904 and was constructed using vertical cast concrete. It was primarily used to service the district of Hobart and the surrounding area, and is still in use today, funnelling around 904 litres of effluent per second during peak flow through its 1050mm diameter pipe. Considering its age, the sewer is due for an upgrade so this is the perfect opportunity to do this work,” Ms Massina said.

Construction of the pipeline is due to begin in the third quarter of 2021.

TasWater and the state government are in negotiations over a funding deed for the relocation of the wastewater treatment plant.

The state government has predicted the relocation will cost $140 million.

TasWater estimates it will take four years to move the plant following the signing of the deed, meaning the project will be completed around 2025.

“In the meantime, TasWater and state government are working under an interim funding agreement ahead of the signing of the full deed and TasWater has been progressing planning work for the project. This will likely shorten the time frame for completion of the project following the signing of the full deed,” a TasWater spokeswoman said.

In November, Environment Protection Authority director Wes Ford told a parliamentary inquiry into TasWater the relocation of the treatment plant and required upgrade of Selfs Point could cost $200 million.