By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN AND MICHELLE HERBISON
A $94 million sewage treatment plant meant to ween Shell off Geelong’s drinking water has opened a month after the company announced it would sell its Corio refinery.
Shell contributed $47.5 million to the Northern Water Plant, which political leaders officially opened on Tuesday.
Barwon Water contibuted $17.5 million and federal and state governments put in $20 million and $9 million respectively.
The plant treats sewage and trade waster from the northern suburbs to supply the refinery with Class A water for cooling and oher uses.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh said the plant would annually save about two billion litres of drinking water, or five per cent of Geelong’s consumption.
Shell Australia announced earlier last month that it hoped to finalise the refinery sale by the end of 2014.
Barwon Water managing director Joe Adamski said his organisation would continue working with Shell on fully-commissioning the plant.
“Shell has paid its full capital contribution toward the cost of construction,” Mr Adamski said.
“If or when the refinery is sold, the plant will continue to produce recycled water for refinery operations.
“Over time, there will be opportunities for other potential recycled water users,” he said.
“The new plant has avoided costly and disruptive upgrades of the sewerage system through central Geelong. It is a valuable community asset that will provide long-term benefits for Barwon Water customers.”
“Regarding financial modelling, this is being considered taking into account possible future scenarios.”
Federal Corio MP Richard Marles said the treatment plant would help “waterproof Geelong”.
“This is a smart water idea born of the last drought, which will set us up for the next one. This has been a grand collaboration between Barwon Water, federal and state governments and Shell, which has provided a fantastic asset for the people of Geelong,” he said.
“Modern Geelong has a brand of excellence and the Northern Water Treatment Plant is a perfect example of that.”
