New west coast depot to support infrastructure upgrades

A new workshop and depot, officially opened in Zeehan for TasWater’s west coast crews will be a vital hub as the water and sewerage organisation spends tens of millions of dollars on critical infrastructure improvements in the region.

Upgrades on the west coast valued at $29 million are either underway or in the planning and design phase, including a $10.5 million sewage treatment plant in construction at Rosebery, $3.5 million upgrading Queenstown’s Conglomerate Dam and a new water treatment plant planned for Rosebery, with construction to start later this year.

The west coast will also benefit each year from Taswater’s $40 million statewide investment in renewing water and sewer mains and CCTV pipe inspections. This is part of TasWater’s $110M spend annually on infrastructure projects across Tasmania to improve water quality and environmental outcomes from ageing infrastructure.

The new Zeehan depot will provide critical support and improved efficiencies to TasWater crews carrying out their works program.

TasWater’s General Manager, Operations and Maintenance Glen Jameson said “the new depot is an indication of TasWater’s commitment to the west coast community. It will provide crews with all the equipment and work space they need to carry out repairs, maintenance and testing facilities to manage water and sewage systems in the areas of Zeehan and Rosebery through to Tullah.

“It’s also important to give employees improved work place facilities, and especially on the west coast where shelter is more than welcome during the winter months,” Mr Jameson said.

The building, constructed by Ausco Modular, is an innovative design, pre-prefabricated in a factory and transported to site and assembled by local contractors.

Ausco’s Tasmanian Manager Thomas van Oosterom said the business had been operating in Tasmania for 25 years and valued the opportunity to take part in the development and construction of the Zeehan prototype project.

“We are big supporters of projects that add value to the communities we operate in and believe the Zeehan facility will help TasWater bring significant benefits to the region in the long-term,” Mr van Oosterom said.

“Ausco maintains a long and successful relationship with TasWater and has been working closely with the team for the past 12 months to design, develop and construct this facility which provides a modern and efficient working environment for staff.

“We are very excited to be a part of the much-anticipated launch,” Mr van Ossterom said.

The Zeehan depot is the work base for TasWaters local crew of six staff who are already making good use of their improved facilities.
Simon Pilkington, TasWater