SA Water is constructing new underground wastewater (sewer) storage tanks at Poplar Avenue, Hawthorndene and a new underground wastewater main between Poplar Avenue, Hawthorndene and Shepherds Hill Road, Blackwood.

The works will increase the capacity of wastewater infrastructure to protect against the risk of overflow from existing wastewater storage during periods of high rainfall.

Specifically, the project involves:

• Construction of three new underground wastewater storage tanks adjacent the existing wastewater pump station at the southern end of the Hawthorndene Oval Reserve (Poplar Avenue, Hawthorndene); and
• Construction of a new wastewater main alongside the existing wastewater main that runs from Poplar Avenue, Hawthorndene along Lois Lane and Main Road to the Shepherds Hill Road roundabout.

Construction works started in early May 2011 and are planned to be complete by mid 2011. The new wastewater main will be built in stages over this period. SA Water will continue to work with our contractors throughout the project to keep the community informed about the construction timeframes.

What exactly do the construction works involve?

Works at the southern end of the Hawthorndene Oval Reserve involve excavation, installation of three new underground storage tanks, and reinstatement of the reserve.

The new wastewater main will be constructed in an open trench along Poplar Avenue, Wattle Road, Lois Lane, Hewett Avenue, Main Road, and Shepherd’s Hill Road. A section of the new main will also be located under the rail line at Blackwood Railway Station.

Construction works are generally planned to occur between 7.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday. On occasion, works will occur during the night or on Sundays in specific locations to minimise impacts on residents and businesses (i.e. under the rail line and near the roundabout).

What will the upgrade works mean for residents, local business and the community?

During the construction period, residents and businesses along the wastewater main route and around Hawthorndene Oval Reserve may experience disruptions.

While the new main is being laid, temporary traffic and access restrictions will be in place around the pipe route, including speed control, lane closures, and road closures. During periods of road closure, detours will be established to provide motorists with alternative access routes around the local area.

Other potenital impacts of the work may include trucks and other vehicles associated with the construction works using local roads, noise from machinery, and possible dust and mud from truck movements and excavation. Measures taken to minimise these impacts to residents include regular clean up of streets, and dampening of areas likely to generate dust.

Hawthorndene Oval is expected to be available for use as normal, however oval users should note that construction works will be underway in the adjacent reserve and roads.

Bushfire risk mitigation will also be implemented in the management of construction works.

Community Information

Hawthorndene/Blackwood Wastewater Upgrade Project Information
Hawthorndene/Blackwood Wastewater Upgrade Traffic Detour Information
Update as of 25 October 2011 

How will I be kept informed?

UPDATE as of 21 November 2011:

• Final road reinstatement of the trenching works will be completed during the week of 21 November and traffic detours will be removed at this time.
• Directional drilling works under the roundabout are commencing from Monday 21 November and expected to take two working weeks. Traffic restrictions will be in place along Main Road during the works, but two lanes will remain open on Main Road and detours will not be necessary.
• Works on Main Road, including reinstatement of the drilling entry and exit pits, are expected to be completed by end of 2011.
• The installation and backfilling of the storage tanks in the Hawthorndene reserve, near the site hut, is expected to complete by early February 2012. 

*UPDATE as of 8 December 2011: