Ballarat Sewer Build enters stage two in January 2023 from White Flat to Prest Street

The $15 million second stage traverses from White Flat Oval, along the Yarrowee River to south of the Prest Street crossing of the river.

It will see two kilometres of new sewer pipeline built primarily underground, with an overhead section towards the southern end of the route.

It is anticipated the project will take about 15 months to complete, pending weather and ground conditions.

Works from White Flat Oval to Hill Street will start in January with completion expected in July. Works from Hill Street to Sykes Avenue, along Humffray Street South, will then start, with completion expected by mid-2024.

The first stage of Central Highlands Water's $25 million project, from Peel Street to White Flat Oval, was completed in early 2022.

CHW managing director Jeff Haydon said the first stage of the project was successful but not without its challenges.

"Ballarat Sewer Build stage one was not without its challenges, navigating through our busy central business district, while also contending with the pandemic and adverse weather conditions," Mr Haydon said.

"But, through the use of micro-tunnelling and short 'moving' worksites to minimise disruption and keep roads open, combined with the support and understanding of the community and businesses in the area, it was highly successful. We were able to install approximately one kilometre of pipe with as minimal customer impact as possible."

A CHW spokesperson said pedestrians and cyclists could anticipate moderate disruptions along Wallaby Track, on the west side of the Yarrowee River, during works.

"Access will be maintained by either directing users to the eastern side, via existing pedestrian bridges, or, where no path is available, temporary paths will be created. Safety will be maintained through the installation of temporary fencing to separate community members from construction activity," the spokesperson said.

CHW will continue to work closely with the City of Ballarat and other community stakeholders to identify opportunities to enhance the trail and user experience as part of the works program.

The sewer build project is part of the biggest program of works to upgrade the city's sewerage system since the original sewer was constructed almost 100 years ago.

Ballarat Sewer Build will see about six kilometres of sewer pipeline installed in total, parallel to the current sewer, running from Ballarat East, through the central business district, to Ballarat South.

Once completed, it will safely collect and transfer Ballarat's wastewater for the next 100 years to the treatment facility.

It is expected works will take between three to five years to complete and provide for Ballarat's population growth, which has increased from 22,000 to 117,000 since the original sewer pipe was constructed nearly a century ago.

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"While the original sewerage system has served our communities well, Ballarat Sewer Build is preparing to service the next generations, providing long-lasting infrastructure to protect our community and environment," Mr Haydon said.

"We are also planning ahead for the estimated $14.5 million stage three, the final section of Ballarat Sewer Build, which stretches from Peel Street to Brown Hill Reserve."

Mr Haydon said community consultation and project design would be one of CHW's primary infrastructure focuses in early 2023.

For more information on the Ballarat Sewer Build, visit www.chw.net.au/sewerbuild

Meanwhile, CHW says preliminary investigations are under way into the potential to provide sewerage to Wallace and Bungaree.

"This process will involve a number of studies, relating to planning and engineering, to determine viability, and community engagement to determine the level of community support," the spokesperson said.

"No commitments have been made from any parties at this time to progress past the investigation stage."

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