TWO massive emergency storage tanks were installed at a new sewage pump station last week, marking a major construction milestone in the development of the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA).
The two 15-metre-long, 106,000-litre sewage retention tanks were transported from Parkes and crane-lifted into a deep excavation pit near Giinagay Way.
Nambucca Valley Council Acting General Manager David Moloney said the 50-tonne crane lifting the tanks made an impressive sight for motorists.
“The crane-lift of the sewage retention tanks into the deep excavation pit finishes the major, complicated construction tasks needed to unlock the master-planned Valla Urban Growth Area precinct,” he said.
“The greatest value of these emergency storage tanks … is that they significantly reduce the likelihood of a sewage spill entering the environment.”
In the event of a power outage or maintenance emergency, the tanks will securely contain sewage for a set duration, giving Council teams time to set up generators to start up the pumps.
Principal contractor AJ Civil Projects will now begin backfilling the pit and connecting hundreds of metres of pipework to the Nambucca Heads Sewerage Treatment Plant.
The overall pump station project, which will also feature a new bulk water filling station, is on track for completion in November 2026.
Once operational, this infrastructure will support stage one of the development, which focuses on establishing the industrial area. This will feature 13 large blocks.
Situated squarely between Brisbane and Sydney, and flanked by growing regional hubs like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, council says the precinct is well-positioned for commercial success.
VUGA already has its first internal road with asphalt and kerbing, with the council celebrating the completion of civil construction of VUGA stage one in June.
Later stages promise to deliver up to 700 residential dwellings.
Nambucca Valley Council has invested $17 million in VUGA stage one.
This has been supported by $3.2 million from the federal government, $5 million from the NSW Government’s Infrastructure NSW Restart NSW Program and $3 million through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Regional NSW Infrastructure Grants Program.
By Lani GREENHALGH
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