$37 million infrastructure project supports growth in Perth's north

$37 million infrastructure project supports growth in Perth’s north

Chris EdwardsApril 29, 2024, 1:29 pmApril 29, 2024

A $37 million Western Australian Government infrastructure project to support growth in Perth’s northern suburbs by providing reliable wastewater and drainage services has been completed.

Delivered by Water Corporation, the project’s final stage saw almost 2 kilometres of wastewater pipeline installed in Clarkson. The pipeline passed under the Mitchell Freeway into Neerabup, where it completed the 11.6km northern wastewater network in the City of Wanneroo.

The project will support long-term growth in the area. Between 2024 and 2041, the City of Wanneroo‘s population is expected to increase by almost 60 per cent to 368,000 residents.

Bakton, a laser-guided tunnel-boring machine whose name was selected through a community naming competition, drilled four massive tunnels. The tunnels, which are between 6 metres and 27m underground, house pipes between 1.8m and 2.2m in diameter.

While the shortest tunnel was 190m, one of the longest was a 637m line under the Mitchell Freeway and Joondalup rail line. Eight shafts and access chambers were built for maintenance.

Wastewater flows can be diverted through the new system from pump stations across the City of Wanneroo to the Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Water Corporation continues to work with the City of Wanneroo and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to rehabilitate a small area of the Neerabup National Park. Work was done to join the new pipeline to the existing infrastructure project.

The WA Government is committed to providing essential infrastructure projects and services to support the growing metropolitan area, budgeting $487.5 million for metropolitan water, wastewater and drainage projects in 2023-24.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

“The completed extension of wastewater infrastructure in the northern suburbs is vital to supporting a growing population, both now and into the future.

“This project underscores the Government’s commitment to supporting major infrastructure projects that allow our city to grow and develop sustainably.

“Water Corporation has worked closely with the community to minimise disruption while laying vital infrastructure through established neighbourhoods.”

Comments attributed to Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard:

“This investment will support ongoing growth as more people look to move to our communities here in the popular northern suburbs.

“As well as providing the foundations to support our future population, current residents can be confident that their services will not be adversely affected by future developments in nearby suburbs.”