The Belmont Desalination Plant is a major water infrastructure project being delivered to strengthen long-term water security for the Lower Hunter region. Designed to provide a reliable, rainfall-independent source of drinking water, the facility will produce up to 30 million litres of water per day, supplying approximately 15% of the region’s average daily demand. The project forms a key component of Hunter Water’s Lower Hunter Water Security Plan and will help extend drought resilience by approximately six months during prolonged dry periods.
The development includes a new desalination facility, offshore seawater intake infrastructure, brine discharge connections, treatment systems and associated water network infrastructure. A critical component of the project is the direct ocean intake structure, located approximately one kilometre offshore and connected to the treatment plant via intake pipelines installed beneath the seabed.
The marine works present significant engineering and construction challenges, requiring careful consideration of offshore access, wave loading, marine environmental conditions, constructability and complex installation methodologies. The project incorporates offshore intake and brine infrastructure, reverse osmosis treatment systems and associated facilities required to deliver a sustainable and secure water source for the community.
CaSE provided temporary works engineering and drafting services from tender development through to detailed design for the offshore marine caisson intake structure and associated marine works. Working closely with the project team, CaSE delivered engineering solutions that supported the safe construction and installation of critical offshore infrastructure.
CaSE designs ensured temporary works met structural, geotechnical and marine environment requirements while supporting the safe and efficient installation of the offshore intake structure located approximately one kilometre offshore. The project required close coordination between marine operations, temporary works design and construction activities to safely deliver key assets within a challenging coastal environment.
Through involvement from tender stage through to detailed design, CaSE helped develop practical, buildable solutions that supported marine access, lifting operations, installation methodologies and offshore construction sequencing for one of the largest water security projects currently being delivered in regional New South Wales.
