The Bellingen Shire is one step closer to accessing modern, environmentally sustainable wastewater services, with the first stage of a major $38 million sewerage upgrade now complete. The Bellingen sewerage upgrade has doubled the capacity of the Urunga Sewage Treatment Plant, ensuring it can support up to 10,000 people and operate reliably for the next 30 years.
The expanded treatment capacity places the region on a stronger footing as population growth continues across the mid north coast. Phase One also provides certainty for surrounding communities by ensuring the system can meet long-term demand while supporting improved environmental outcomes.
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How the Bellingen sewerage upgrade will transform coastal villages
The final stage of the project is underway, delivering new sewer mains and pump stations to connect 226 properties in Mylestom and Raleigh. Completion is expected by late 2026. These connections will replace household septic tanks, which can fail during wet weather and pose risks to the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers. Transitioning to a centralised network will reduce pollution, improve waterway protection and deliver more consistent wastewater management for residents.
Funding includes 11 million dollars from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and 27 million dollars from Bellingen Shire Council.
NSW DCCEEW Director, Grants Programs, Kirsty Fenton, said the milestone demonstrates strong progress.
“It is exciting to see another milestone checked off the list. The upgraded sewage plant will double capacity, including supporting the communities of Mylestom and Raleigh for the first time when they get hooked up to the central system,” Fenton said.
She said the Bellingen sewerage upgrade will deliver immediate improvements for households.
“The project is a huge win for these residents who will no longer need to deal with the costs and smell of private septic tanks, while also ensuring local waterways remain healthy for people, plants and animals. Having a 21st-century sewerage network also means businesses and households will not need to bear the brunt of ongoing maintenance costs of their own wastewater systems, so it is great to see the project well on the path to completion,” she said.
How the project will support long-term regional waterway health
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan said communities are eager to see the new services online.
“I know locals in Mylestom and Raleigh are eagerly awaiting the new wastewater system in their towns, which is why it is great to see tangible progress being made,” he said.
Allan emphasised the long-term value of the upgrade.
“This is about making our region more liveable and preserving our precious waterways for future generations. Council and the NSW Government have put significant funding into this project, and we are continuing to work closely with our partners as the construction ramps up,” he said.
The Bellingen sewerage upgrade is expected to significantly reduce pollutant loads entering nearby rivers, improving ecological conditions and protecting estuarine habitats. By replacing ageing, inconsistent on-site systems, the project provides a more resilient, sustainable wastewater solution for coastal communities.