Broome Wastewater Recovery Facility Closure

What’s happening?

Water Corporation has recently completed the upgrade of the Broome North Water Resource Recovery Facility (formerly called Broome North Wastewater Treatment Plant), enabling it to treat all of Broome’s wastewater.

With the updates now complete, we can facilitate the closure and decommissioning of Broome South WWRF.

Once completed, we are required to hand the land back to the WA State Government for reallocation for future use. As part of the closure, we will be required to remediate the land for restricted use.

To remediate the land, environmental investigation and decommissioning works are required including: 

• Removal and disposal of settled organic material (dried sludge);  
• Environmental investigations; 
• Removal of above ground and below ground infrastructure;
• Site remediation and handover.

Where is this happening?

The existing Broome South WWRF site is located off Clementson Street, south of the Broome townsite. The site is situated on Crown Reserve 37454 (Lot 701).

As part of the decommissioning process Water Corporation will relinquish the management order to facilitate the transfer of land back to the State through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH). DPLH will be responsible for determining the future land use of the site.

Why is this happening?

Upgrades to Broome North WWRF now enables it to treat all of Broome’s wastewater removing the need for Broome South WWRF.

The closure of Broome South WWRF will help protect the iconic Roebuck Bay, which is an area of high conservation value and national and international environmental significance.  
Once completed, Water Corporation is also required to hand the land back to the State of WA for reallocation.

When is this happening?

Completed work

Desludging: Our authorised contractor desludged the ponds, which involved the removal and disposal of settled organic material (dried sludge).

Removal of above ground infrastructure: All of the above ground assets have been decommissioned and removed from the site, including the discharge tower, concrete slabs, bollards, pumps, above ground pipework and switchboards.

Upcoming work

Removal of underground infrastructure is planned to commence in August 2025.

The land transfer process will commence following completion of all site works.

How will this impact the community?

All decommissioning and ground remediation works will take place within the existing Broome South WWRF site. 

Residents and businesses may notice and increase in vehicle and truck movements to and from the site via Clementson Street. As with any works site, there may be an increase in noise, dust and activity in the area.

We appreciate that this essential work may cause temporary inconvenience and disruption. We will be mindful of residents and businesses and try to keep all disruptions to a minimum.

Who can I contact?

For more information, please contact the Community Engagement Senior Advisor, Bree on 0437 419 696  or Bree.swift@watercorporation.com.au during office hours.