Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Plant: Lagoon Renewal and Hydromud Management Project

Project Overview

We are planning upgrades at our Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Plant (FSTP) to support the ongoing operation and reliability of the facility.

The project involves:

• Renewing ageing embankments around the treatment lagoons
• Building a facility to manage and reuse material collected during water and sewer maintenance
• Improving internal access roads and other infrastructure within the treatment plant.
• The upgrades will extend the life of important infrastructure, make the site safer and easier to operate, and reduce the amount of reusable material sent to landfill.  

The upgrades will extend the life of important infrastructure, make the site safer and easier to operate, and reduce the amount of reusable material sent to landfill.  

Why is this work needed?

Renewing the treatment lagoons

The FSTP treatment lagoons have been operating for more than 60 years. Some of the embankments, which are raised earth walls around the lagoons, have deteriorated because of age and erosion. They need to be renewed so they remain safe and reliable.

The work will:

• strengthen lagoon embankments
• improve access for plant operations and maintenance
• reduce the risk of future embankment failure.  

Managing and reusing hydromud

We use hydrovac trucks to maintain and repair Canberra's water and sewer networks. These trucks use pressurised water and vacuum equipment to safely excavate around underground pipes.  

This work produces a wet mixture of soil, water and other material known as hydromud.

The proposed new facility will allow us to dry and test this material. Material that meets the required safety and quality standards may then be reused instead of being sent to landfill.

This supports our commitment to recovering useful resources, reducing waste and keeping suitable materials in use for longer.

Development Application

We have lodged a Development Application for the proposed Hydromud Management Facility. The Development Application has now been released for public viewing and can be viewed here.

Construction of the facility will be subject to the required planning and environmental approvals.

Protecting the environment

We completed environmental studies to understand the plants, animals and habitats in and around the project area. These studies included ecological surveys and fauna assessments.

The surveys recorded a range of bird and wildlife using the site, no threatened or migratory bird species were recorded during the surveys.

Environmental protection measures will be in place during construction. These measures will include controls to:

• protect nearby wetlands and surrounding habitats
• manage erosion and sediment
• reduce the risk of pollution
• rehabilitate areas affected by construction. 

Construction timing  

Subject to planning and other approvals, construction is expected to start in late 2026 and continue until Q3-2027.

We will provide updated timing before construction begins.

What might the community notice?

The work will take place within the existing FSTP site. During construction, nearby businesses and people travelling through the area may notice:

• more construction vehicles entering and leaving the site
• Increased activity within the treatment plant
• temporary stockpiles, machinery and construction equipment.  

We expect work to take place during standard construction hours. We will work with the construction contractor to reduce impacts on nearby businesses and the surrounding area. 

Working with the community

We will keep nearby businesses, community groups, environmental organisations and government agencies informed as the project progresses.

We will also share updates about planning, construction timing and activities that may affect the surrounding area. 

FAQs