11 Apr 2025
Laying the groundwork for Hobart's future: Selfs Point transformation takes shape
More than 5,800 concrete piles are being drilled into the ground at Selfs Point, as TasWater lays the foundation for the future of wastewater treatment in Hobart, with the Selfs Point Sewer Transformation project.
Laid end-to-end, the piles would cover around 100 kilometres – roughly the distance from Brighton to Campbell Town.
Designed to meet the city’s growing needs and improve the health of the River Derwent, the new state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant is also now rising out of the ground, with major structural concrete pours underway.
General Manager Project Delivery Tony Willmott said most of the work so far had been at or below ground level and it was pleasing to finally see structures above ground.
“The work so far has been hidden from view – on or under the ground – so it’s incredibly satisfying to start to see progress on the eight-metre-high walls of the treatment plant,” Mr Willmott said.
“Site foundations require more than 5,800 concrete piles to be installed to reinforce the ground and support the new infrastructure.
“Using a method called Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC), we have installed more than 5,400 so far.”
He said important work had also been done to ensure the environment stayed protected during construction.
“We have installed a new concrete headwall between the treatment plant and the foreshore at New Town Bay, as well as marine silt curtains in the bay,” he said.
“These measures will help prevent soil, sediment and debris from washing into the water and capture silt particles to maintain water clarity and protect the marine life.”
Sewer pipeline construction continues
Meanwhile, work continues on the installation of the new 4.3-kilometre sewer pipeline, which will connect the future pump station at Macquarie Point to the new treatment plant at Selfs Point.
“The new pipeline installation is progressing well. We have almost finished our work on the closed section of Queens Walk and we look forward to reopening that section of the road before Easter,” Mr Willmott said.
Pump station works well underway at Macquarie Point
At Macquarie Point, concrete piling works have also been undertaken to prepare for the installation of the new underground storage.
“We have completed installation of the concrete piles that will form the foundation for the new pump station and have begun the excavation work for the new underground storage tank that will hold up to 830,000 half flushes,” Mr Willmott said.
TasWater is partnering with the Tasmanian Government on the $314 million Selfs Point Sewer Transformation project, with the state is investing $224 million and TasWater contributing $90 million for the relocation. In addition to this, TasWater is investing a further $66 million in upgrades to the Selfs Point site to prepare for the future removal of another three sewage treatment plants situated along the Derwent.
Once complete, the upgraded Selfs Point plant will treat up to 25 million litres of wastewater every day and will reduce nutrients entering the River Derwent by 50 per cent.
The overall project will provide an estimated 3,420 direct and indirect jobs and generate an estimated $1.1 billion worth of economic activity in the state.
TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its network over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.