By Alesha Capone
Melbourne Water will give visitors a look behind the scenes at the Western Treatment Plant during Melbourne Design Week.
As part of the week, which will run from March 12- 22, the water authority will run two free tours of the plant on Wednesday, March 18 at 10am and noon.
The tours, which last for two hours, will cover aspects of how the plant operates and treats sewage – in the past, present, and its plans for the future – as well as giving people the opportunity to visit its world-renowned wetlands, which are well-known as a habitat for birds from across the globe.
Melbourne Water community education and capacity building team leader Mary Catus-Wood said the plant was a place of historical, cultural and environmental significance.
“You won’t be disappointed by this unique opportunity to visit the Western Treatment Plant,” she said.
“The size of Phillip Island, the Western Treatment Plant is full of surprises – from clever use of captured methane to serving as the home to growling grass frogs and hundreds of species of bird life.”
Melbourne Water is also partnering with Open House Melbourne to host a tour at Williams Landing, of the first section of the completed Greening The Pipeline project.
The initiative is transforming the heritage-listed Main Outfall Sewer pipeline, along the Federation Trail bike path, into a parkland to service the growing population in Melbourne’s west.
The free, 60-minute tour will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 10am.
Visit ngv.vic.gov.au/Melbourne-design-week/ to book in for either of the tours.
