Dr LIM - 2005-08-18
Sewage continues to pour into our beautiful Darwin Harbour as we speak. What is the volume of sewage currently discharged into the harbour each week? What strategic program is in place to upgrade the sewerage system to obviate the need for sewage outpours into the Darwin Harbour at Doctors Gully? What is the program schedule for 2005-06?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. I do not have the numbers of the total volume of effluent that is being discharged into the harbour. Power and Water does have a Darwin Sewerage Strategy to work towards reducing and, ultimately, eliminating the discharge into Darwin Harbour.
All sewerage network upgrades from Dinah Beach to allow closure of the Larrakeyah outfall have been completed: a new rising main from the Frances Bay pump station was completed in 2003 at a total cost of approximately $2.6m which has already been invested; a final diversion tunnel or pump station from Larrakeyah to Dinah Beach; an upgrade of the Ludmilla Waste Water Treatment Plant is required; and engineering works are going on towards identifying and putting together a comprehensive proposal to government.
Power and Water are working on improving the current situation. There has been a significant amount of money spent to date. Engineering works are going on to upgrade the Ludmilla Waste Water Treatment Plant and other works are going ahead. Further upgrades are occurring in 2005-06, including new lime dosing facilities, inlet screens and effluent pumps, at a of a cost of approximately $0.75m this year.
My advice is that, in the natural capacity of the harbour with the high tidal ranges, there are no adverse health impacts to the residents of Darwin with the current situation. We have inherited ageing infrastructure, but there is a strategy in place. Works are happening in the capital works program each financial year for a significant upgrade of the Ludmilla Waste Water Sewerage Treatment Plant. The engineering and design work is in process and, as each budget works out, further capital works will be put into this particular area.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. I do not have the numbers of the total volume of effluent that is being discharged into the harbour. Power and Water does have a Darwin Sewerage Strategy to work towards reducing and, ultimately, eliminating the discharge into Darwin Harbour.
All sewerage network upgrades from Dinah Beach to allow closure of the Larrakeyah outfall have been completed: a new rising main from the Frances Bay pump station was completed in 2003 at a total cost of approximately $2.6m which has already been invested; a final diversion tunnel or pump station from Larrakeyah to Dinah Beach; an upgrade of the Ludmilla Waste Water Treatment Plant is required; and engineering works are going on towards identifying and putting together a comprehensive proposal to government.
Power and Water are working on improving the current situation. There has been a significant amount of money spent to date. Engineering works are going on to upgrade the Ludmilla Waste Water Treatment Plant and other works are going ahead. Further upgrades are occurring in 2005-06, including new lime dosing facilities, inlet screens and effluent pumps, at a of a cost of approximately $0.75m this year.
My advice is that, in the natural capacity of the harbour with the high tidal ranges, there are no adverse health impacts to the residents of Darwin with the current situation. We have inherited ageing infrastructure, but there is a strategy in place. Works are happening in the capital works program each financial year for a significant upgrade of the Ludmilla Waste Water Sewerage Treatment Plant. The engineering and design work is in process and, as each budget works out, further capital works will be put into this particular area.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016