By JESSE GRAHAM
HUNDREDS of homes in Monbulk will be assessed for future sewerage connections, as consultations continue on the Monbulk Sewerage Project.
Yarra Valley Water announced on 19 March that 900 properties in Monbulk had been identified by the council as needing more assessment to determine the need for sewerage services.
The assessment follows an online consultation forum late last year, which drew around 830 visits to the specially-made site.
YVW Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said the forum asked for comments and feedback on reports from smaller consultations held in October 2014.
“We asked what customers thought about the findings of the group consultations, the sewerage concepts presented and if there was anything else customers wanted to add,” he said.
“We are currently in the investigation and planning stage of the project, and finishing our analysis to pick the best two options to bring back to the community.”
Currently, half of Monbulk is serviced by a reticulated sewerage system, while the other relies largely on septic systems.
The aim of the project is to connect these remaining properties to a main system, particularly as septic tanks can pose environmental threats when not properly maintained and serviced.
Project Manager, Joanna Cooper, said that common issues raised by residents thus far in consultations included connection costs, impacts of construction and timing.
“Broadly, the next steps for the project are community consultation, design, construction and call for connections, once the sewer is ready to use.”
The type of sewerage system for the town has yet to be decided, as has approximate costs and timing.
Ms Cooper said the next phase of consultations, set to begin in April, would present a short-list of sewerage options and gauge the town’s feedback.
For more information, visit www.yvw.com.au/Monbulk.
