The South Burnett Regional Council has begun a program to reline more than 5km of sewers throughout the region to help ensure the long-term sustainability and efficiency of its wastewater infrastructure.
Works will occur in four main towns:
- Nanango – 1766m of 150mm mains, including approximately 57 house connections
- Kingaroy – 1500m of 150mm mains, including approximately 75 house connections
- Wondai – 1328m of 300mm trunk main, including approximately 20 house connections
- Murgon – 745m of 300mm main, including approximately 13 house connections
“The fact is our water and wastewater systems across the region are old and some assets are nearing the end of their life,” Water and Wastewater portfolio holder Cr Barry Green said.
“The average age of our pipe network is about 44 years and we have some major trunk mains that are approaching 60 years old.
“For the first time since amalgamation, we have a really good understanding of what we have and how old it is, but what it has shown is that we have an old system that needs attention.
“We need to act now so that we have a plan to replace a lot of these old pipes, treatment plants and sewers before they fail and cost the community more in the long run.
“I commend the Water and Wastewater Branch in commencing this work. There will be over five kilometres of our sewers relined.”
Project Co-ordinator Matt Wyvill said sewer relining was a way to repair damaged sewer pipes which does not involve significant excavation.
A new internal sleeve is placed inside old, cracked sewer pipes.
“The process is undertaken by heating PVC pipe until it is soft and winching the soft pipe through the damaged sewer pipe between existing sewer manholes,” Mr Wyvill said.
“Steam is then injected into the new PVC pipe so that it expands and forms to the existing sewer main which creates a brand new sewer line.”
Cr Green said sewer relining technology would enable Council to cost effectively repair damaged sewer pipelines and to minimise disturbances to the community through unnecessary earth works.
