THE Western Australian government has approved the $15million first stage of a new wastewater facility for Hopetoun.
The wastewater plant was needed to support the growth of Hopetoun, brought on by BHP Billiton’s $3billion Ravensthorpe nickel mine, according to the Western Australian Government.
The building project will provide a new wastewater plant to the north of the town, a collection system for Mary Anne Waters Estate which was currently being developed by LandCorp, and the commercial centre in the main street of the town.
The Water Corporation plans to provide a detailed briefing for the shire and the community early next month.
Current arrangements which truck waste from Hopetoun to Ravensthorpe will continue until the system is commissioned late in 2008.
A contract to build the plant will be awarded before Christmas. It is likely that work will start on the project early next year, subject to the necessary environmental approvals, the WA Government said.
A study will be undertaken into alternative wastewater treatment processes to determine if there are other opportunities which supported further development.