Updating our local communities about biosolids

We’d like to share an update with our community about what’s happening at our biosolids facilities.

We know odour is a concern for people living and working nearby, and we take these impacts seriously. That’s why we’re actively investing in improvements and reviewing our processes to minimise impacts on the community.

What’s happening at each facility

Processing continues at our biosolids facilities in Camperdown, Hamilton and Portland. Here’s an update on what’s happening at each location.

Camperdown

Carting of sludge to the Camperdown facility remains paused. In February, we implemented a soil‑capping solution, which significantly reduced odours at the site.

We’ve delayed processing for as long as possible but have recently had to restart to make sure we can meet our safety, environmental and regulatory requirements. This has been done gradually. While we’re taking steps to minimise impacts as much as possible, there’s potential for odours to be emitted from the site.

Processing will pause ahead of the longer Easter weekend and will resume after the break for a short period.

We also continue to liaise with the Corangamite Shire and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to keep them up to date regarding our activities at the Camperdown facility.

Hamilton

Our Hamilton facility continues to receive sludge deliveries, and processing is progressing at this site.

We’ve recently experienced an operational issue with the on‑site odour‑reduction misting system. But the system has been repaired and is back in operation.

Portland

We’re not currently carting to the Portland facility, however biosolids processing continues as normal.

Our stockpile of fully processed biosolids at Portland is now ready for use. This material will now be transported to our agricultural partners in the region and used as soil conditioners.

Additional odour testing

We’re also carrying out specialist odour testing at our Camperdown and Hamilton facilities to better identify the odour compounds being emitted.

The results will help us target our treatment processes more effectively at the source, with the aim of further reducing odours into the future.

What’s happening longer term?

The Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade is close to being fully commissioned. When fully operational it will significantly improve how we manage the increasing volumes of domestic and regional industrial waste. Over time, this will also improve the quality of material processed across our biosolids facilities and help reduce odour impacts.

We’re also continuing work to looking at options for long‑term regional biosolids management. Our preferred solution is a new regional biosolids processing facility, designed to significantly reduce impacts on communities near existing sites..

What are biosolids?

During sewage treatment, naturally occurring bacteria break down organic material and help remove harmful bacteria. The treated wastewater is then separated and discharged.

The remaining material, known as sludge, is removed and partially dried. It contains mostly dead micro‑organisms, a small number of active ones, and inert materials like sand.

This material is transported to our biosolids facilities, where it’s dried and composted over several years. Once fully treated, it becomes biosolids that can be safely reused as a soil conditioner, most commonly on agricultural land.