Overview
Deep Sea Release
A major infrastructure component of the Sewerage Strategy was the construction of the deep sea release off Boambee Beach. 
The deep sea release was officially opened on 11 March 2005 by Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades, and Clean Up Australia Chairman and founder, Ian Kiernan AO.
The commissioning of the deep sea release allowed the closure of the outfall at Corambirra Point on the same date. Rehabilitation of the site has already begun.
The deep sea release is a pipeline running from the Coffs Harbour Water Reclamation Plant, along the western side of the North Coast Rail Line, under the dunal system on Boambee Beach and then 1.5km out to sea.
It releases into the ocean excess reclaimed water treated to the quality that is being used to water sporting fields and irrigate crops in the area.
Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been given additional treatment so that it complies with the National Water Quality Management Strategy - Guidelines for Reclaimed Water. The quality of reclaimed water is monitored on an ongoing basis. Effectively it looks, smells and has similar qualities to drinking water.
After the commissioning of the pipeline, the existing ocean discharge point at Gallows was immediately closed and eventually the discharge points at Willis Creek, Woolgoolga and Boambee Headland will be closed as well.
The construction was undertaken by an Alliance contract between CHCC and Barclay Mowlem Candac (BMC).
BMC have built eight deep sea releases in Australasia and are world leaders in this type of design and construction.
What is Alliance Contracting?
Alliance contracting typically involves the establishment of a virtual single project 'company' [the Alliance], the sole purpose of which is to deliver successful client outcomes on the project. The Alliance Team consists of the best available experts in the country and includes designers, constructors and the client's team.
An Alliance contract results in greater productivity and better outcomes while delivering the optimal commercial benefits to both parties.
Work on the Deep Sea Release began in July 2003.
- A temporary trestle has been built across the beach, approximately one kilometre south of the Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing Club and out through the surf zone.
- The pipeline is being laid underground through the land section from the Coffs Harbour Water Reclamation Plant to the temporary trestle.
- The temporary trestle will allow construction of the pipe under the sea bed through the surf zone until the water is six metres deep.
- Three 360m seaward pipes were assembled in the harbour. All have been towed out of the harbour and sunk along their alignment underwater from the trestle.
Media filming site preparations for temporary trestle construction |
Ian Kiernan, founder of the Clean Up Australia Campaign, assisted in the opening of the deep sea release on 11 March 2005, and also visited Coffs Harbour for two days in August 2003, when he inspected the Deep Sea Release construction site as well as reclaimed water users and opening the Morgans Road Reclaimed Water Reservoir. Mr Kiernan said the City's sewerage strategy was the way of the future and would become a benchmark project. |
Pipes stored at Corrambirra Point |
Temporary Trestle under construction |
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Swedish financial journalist Agneta Didrikson interviews SWECO designer Thomas Hogbom > |
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Councillors and Senior Staff visiting DSR construction site, July 2004> |
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In November 2003, the first 150 metres of the pipeline were laid. More>>
