History
Australian Water commenced its operations in Sydney’s North West. The company was originally known as the Rouse Hill Infrastructure Consortium and changed its name to Australian Water in 2008. The funding and provision of water infrastructure to the Rouse Hill area commenced in 1992 and is the first development of water infrastructure on such a scale in Australia, and incorporates many innovative features, including:
- the first application on this scale (approx 4,000 ha) of a recycled water system in Australia
- incorporation of a biological nutrient removal sewage plant utilizing advanced sewage treatment technology
- integration of domestic water re-use and an urban drainage strategy for a development area on a regional scale
- significant environmental benefits from a reduction in pollutants (up to 60%) released into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system as a result of integrated water cycle management
- engineering solutions, project structuring and project delivery which have resulted in services being provided in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Importantly, a balance has been achieved between urban development and long-term environmental goals.
A unique model for development
The RHIP was developed and constructed by Australian Water under unique arrangements with the Sydney Water Corporation. The concept for the project was first developed in 1988 when major landowners in the Rouse Hill Development Area formulated a proposal for the financing, design and construction of water infrastructure for the region.
By staging the building of water infrastructure over an entire region, opportunities arise for a more coordinated and cost-effective approach to urban planning.
The success of Stage 1, 2 and 3 of the RHIP have demonstrated that it is possible to provide a framework for design, project funding and management of the provision of water infrastructure, and, at the same time, apply engineering solutions which sustain worthy environmental goals.
The RHIP provides a model for urban development and shows just what can be achieved when innovative commercial arrangements and soft engineering solutions are developed in tandem.
For more information on the project stages and how we approached them, see Stages