Coliban Water announces Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant upgrade after Environment Protection Authority charges

The Environment Protection Authority laid charges on Sunday, alleging discharges from the plant between May and August this year caused an environmental hazard, polluted waters, and resulted in non-compliance with license conditions.

"I can hear people wondering at the timing of the upgrades announcement but it's unrelated," Coliban Water managing director Damian Wells said.

"We have had board papers talking about this and the board has been meeting on this for many months.

"I'm in my eighth week as managing director and Kyneton has been my focus every single day since the commencement of my tenure."

Mr Wells said the $15 million upgrades would increase the plant's irrigation capacity and double its storage to about 200 mega litres.

A class C to class B treatment plant for the trade waste treatment stream would also be built as part of the upgrades.

Mr Wells said the works, which followed the installation of aerators in the plant's lagoons, were expected to be completed by December 2020.

"The upgrades are all about meeting the current and future needs of Kyneton and its surrounds," Mr Wells said.

"This will ensure we can meet the current and future needs of the region. It will ensure the sustainable operation position of the plant until at least 2040."

Residents have been fighting for a better water treatment facility for months.

Kyneton resident Sallyanne Craig said the upgrades wouldn't address the major issue of using the Campaspe River as a dumping ground.

"We just think this is a hasty, panicked re-packaging of what was already there," she said. "Every small thing helps but the main point is that these are all piecemeal and band aid (solutions).

"It still doesn't address the root thought that waste water is rubbish, not a resource. They're still putting pollutants in the river.

"Historically, the river was a stronger and healthier but the climate has been steadily worsening, for the last 13 years Coliban Water has been using it as their go-to tip. The community won't tolerate it anymore and the river certainly won't tolerate anymore. It's dying in front of our eyes."

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said she will be watching the progress of the upgrades.

"I have been hearing the concerns of my constituents," Ms Thomas said. "Similarly, Coliban has heard from me about the future of the water facility in Kyneton.

"I think the upgrades go to the very heart of community concerns. Coliban's work to improve the health of the Campaspe River is significant and important for everyone.

"I'm very interested to watch the progress as they continue to roll out upgrades to infrastructure. Expect me to be on their case."

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