At the moment we discharge excess recycled water through a beach-face outfall pipe on Merimbula Beach or into an area of the dunes. The area we use is significant to our Aboriginal community and is also endangered Bangalay Sand Forest. This situation is definitely not okay and we want to find a better solution.

We need a sustainable disposal method for when it rains because the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club, Oaklands Farm and other feasible reuse sites can’t take all of our recycled water. Finding a long-term and effective solution has been difficult and we’ve considered many factors such as the shape of Merimbula Bay, the need to protect our lakes and vital oyster industry, and our duty to safeguard public health.

In consultation with a focus group in 2009, we looked in detail at all the ideas for a suitable disposal method, and we found that a new ocean outfall is the only practical solution given the physical constraints of the area. The group found no other viable option which can remove the need for an ocean outfall and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) supports this finding via conditions in our Environment Protection Licence. We want to do the job well, which also means upgrading the pumping and processing equipment to improve the quality of the recycled water coming from the plant. 

A significant benefit of this project is that we’ll no longer need to use the dune site for disposing recycled water and that’s important for the Bangalay Sand Forest. We’ll also be able to rehabilitate the dune area before we look at giving it back to the Aboriginal community to look after. 

Council remains committed to beneficially reusing recycled water from the STP. We currently reuse about a third of the recycled water for irrigation at Pambula Merimbula Golf Club and at Oaklands Farm. It’s important to realise that the amount of reuse varies according to rainfall and in those years of high rainfall, these sites need less irrigation.

Council’s commitment to reuse is clear and we currently partner with community groups to operate 10 reuse schemes. We’ve been distributing recycled water to the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club for over 20 years and irrigation to Oaklands began in 2013. Indeed, council has resolved to investigate extending the use of recycled water to the Pambula Sporting Complex. As much as we’d like to be able to, it is just not possible to reuse all of the recycled water because of our climate, existing land use and topography.

While the decision to construct an ocean outfall has been made, a new community working group (CWG) and AECOM (specialist environmental consultants) are now considering the finer details of the ocean outfall such as its alignment, depth and how far out to sea it will go. 

An Environmental Impact Statement, which is a requirement by NSW Planning, is underway and will supplement the information we’ve already collected about the waters in Merimbula Bay through dye dispersion tests and a marine hydrographic survey. To date, none of the research has suggested a sound alternative, that we can action in the very near future, to beneficial reuse coupled with an ocean outfall. 

I believe that we have a balanced solution – an improved treatment plant producing cleaner recycled water, a new ocean outfall for sustainable disposal when needed and increased reuse capability. Together, these elements form the only viable and environmentally sustainable option.

Our region’s reputation is based on our unspoilt natural environment and I am absolutely determined to safeguard our precious environment that is at the foundation of our lifestyle, our livelihoods, our economy and our future, as are all members of the council.

Please remember that your most accurate source of information about this project is your council and we welcome your questions. We’ve set up a dedicated website for this project to keep you informed - check www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au for updates as the project progresses. You can also contact us on 6499 2222 or email council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.

Kristy McBain

Mayor, Bega Valley Shire