Yass Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

Updated 2 June 2026

The Yass Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Upgrade Project is a challenging and a very high priority project for Council.

Background

The project to prepare a Design and Business Case for the upgrade of the Yass WTP commenced in November 2019. The Housing Acceleration Fund (HAF) funded this project at a cost of $1.2M with a total commitment of $10M for the WTP Upgrade. During this project, stakeholders required that Stage 1 - Early Works be carried out in advance in December 2020. Stage 1 Works included the installation of a bubble plume aeration system at the Yass Dam, upgrade of the Raw Water Pump Station (RWPS), and urgent works at the Yass WTP. Stage 1 Works were completed at a cost of $2.2M funded by HAF at the end of February 2023. The Final Business Case was endorsed by Council at its extraordinary Council Meeting on 9 May 2024.

An upgrade of the reticulation system is also required to ensure treated water can reach customers without being impacted by the accumulated mineral deposits in the water mains.

Funding

Funding commitments to date are as follows:

Fund	Amount	Notes
Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF)	$6,600,000	Administered through Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI)/NSW Treasury. The Deed was executed on 2 October 2024.
NSW Ad Hoc Election Fund	$13,550,000	Administered through Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The Deed was executed on 3 December 2024. Includes funding component for Yass water reticulation upgrade ($1.7M). The allocation of funds between WTP upgrade and water reticulation upgrade is subject to change.
National Water Grid Fund (NWGF)	$18,100,000	Funding committed on 13 December 2024. To be administered through DCCEEW as a variation to the existing Ad hoc Election Funding Deed.
NSW Health Fluoridation Grant	TBA	Liaison with NSW Health is in progress and $972,000 is nominated in the Business Case.
Total Funding	$38,250,000	Funding total includes Yass water reticulation upgrade component.

Implementation

Engage Owner's Engineer: Council resolved to accept the tender from BECA HunterH20 (136/2025). The contract was signed on 10 April 2025. This contract is to prepare the Reference Design and Tender documents for the procurement of a Design and Construct (D&C) contract. Prior to tendering for the D&C contract, an Owner's Engineer will be engaged to subsequently manage tendering, tender evaluation, construction supervision, commissioning and training.

The following table identifies the major project milestones and key dates, which are subject to change:

Activity	Date
a) Funding Deed Executed	Nov/Dec 2024
b) Engage Owner's Engineer	Mar/Apr 2025
c) Reference Design and Section 60 Approvals (in progress)	Feb 2026*
d) Expression of Interest (EOI) & Early Tendering Involvement (ETI) Process	Feb 2026 - May 2026*
e) D&C Tender Open	Jun 2026
f) D&C Contract Award	Oct 2026
g) Construction Commencement	Nov 2026
h) Commissioning of Main WTP	May 2028
i) Completion of Construction Nov 2028	Nov 2028
j) Project Completion	Nov 2028

Note: * - Updated dates due to the delay in signing funding deed compared to the timeline in Final Business Case.

Reference Design and Section 60 Approvals

The following activities have been completed:

7 Apr 2025	Kick off Meeting for the contract: Preparation of reference design and tender documentation (YVC-IA-33-2024) with DCCEEW Water.
19-22 Apr 2025	Existing filter inspections were carried out by Beca HunterH20 and Council staff at Yass WTP. Representatives from DCCEEW and NSW Health also attended this inspection. Inspection reports are being reviewed by DCCEEW and Council.
May-July 2025	Filter inspection report and DAF and Filters concrete condition assessment inspection reports were reviewed by DCCEEW and Council and comments were provided. Due diligence assessment report was received and comments were provided. Sustainability in Design Workshop was held on 27 June 2025. Value Management Workshop was held on 02 July 2025. Basis of Design BoD, Sustainability and Value Engineering was held on 17 July 2025. Comments were provided on BoD Report on 22 July 2025. Discussions on draft site layouts have been held.
Aug 2025	Reference Design (30%) review workshop was conducted on 20 August 2025. This included discussions on draft site-layout and review of chemicals for water treatment for the upgrade. Geotechnical investigations and surveys (3D survey of existing facilities and locating of existing services) were completed during the week of 18 August 2025. Project Management Plan (PMP) and Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP) were submitted on 22 August 2025.
Sept-Oct 2025	Continuation of Reference Design activities towards 80% design workshop, including the following: Network and Control System Workshop Emergency Power and Generator Requirements Workshop Noise monitoring (background) at two adjacent properties near WTP commenced on 24 October 2025 and will continue until 3 November 2025. Package of documents for 80% Reference Design Workshop were shared with stakeholders on 28 October 2025. Application to Essential Energy for power supply upgrade submitted on 29 October 2025.
Nov-Dec 2025	Workshop on Reference Design (80%) Part 1 was conducted on 19 November 2025, with the participation of DCCEEW Water and NSW Health. Additional ecological survey conducted on 24 November 2025. Preliminary Hazard Assessment (PHA) Workshop on 27 November 2025.
Upcoming Major Activities	CHAIR 1 (Construction Hazard Assessment Implication Review) Workshop on 18 December 2025. Workshop on Reference Design (80%) Part 2 scheduled on 16 December 2025. Cost Estimate Workshop on 19 December 2025. Preparation of BDAR (Biodiversity Development Assessment Report).