The plant, constructed in the late 1960s, is essential to the township’s wastewater treatment.
Due to the age of the site, significant works are required to improve site safety and replace assets that are at end-of-life.
At the council’s monthly ordinary meeting, councillors moved to approve the budget reallocation to complete the works.
Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie said the works were necessary to ensure the facility could continue operating.
“We have been working closely with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water and the EPA, and both agencies have directed council to conduct renewal works as soon as possible,” Cr Harvie said.
“These works will ensure the Barham Sewage Treatment Plant can continue to operate safely while we progress planning for a long-term solution for wastewater treatment in Barham.”
The restoration works will include safety upgrades such as new access walkways and fencing, electrical asset upgrades, and refurbishment of treatment infrastructure including the primary sedimentation tank and trickling filter system.
A site clean-up and safety improvements will also be undertaken.
Council’s preferred long-term option is to decommission the existing site and construct new treatment lagoons at an alternative location.
This major project, estimated at $8 million, is included in council’s Long Term Financial Plan and will continue to progress in parallel with the current restoration works.
Cr Harvie said completing the restoration works was a step towards the future plans.
“By undertaking these restoration works now, we can remove immediate operational pressures while ensuring we have the time to fully evaluate all options for a sustainable long-term solution for Barham,” Cr Harvie said.
Once commissioned, the restoration project is expected to take about three months to complete and will form part of council’s capital works program for 2025/26.
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