The arrival of a specialised jack-up barge off the coast of Belmont marks a pivotal step forward for a major infrastructure project designed to drought-proof the Lower Hunter region.
Offshore Construction Phase Begins
After a journey from Indonesia and nearly 50 days berthed near Stockton Bridge, the significant marine vessel has now taken its position approximately 800 metres offshore from Nine Mile Beach. This move initiates the most technically challenging phase of the Belmont Desalination Plant project: the offshore construction.
The barge will serve as a stable work platform for installing the plant's direct ocean intake structure. This crucial component will be built using precast caissons – large, watertight concrete structures set into the seabed. From there, a pipeline will be tunnelled beneath the seabed to connect the intake to the onshore treatment facility.
Securing the Region's Water Future
Hunter Water's acting chief executive officer, Jennifer Hayes, emphasised the milestone's importance. "We're progressing into the most complex and technical phase of the marine and tunnelling works," Ms Hayes stated. This work is deemed critical for delivering a reliable, rainfall-independent drinking water source for the community.
Once operational, the plant is designed to supply up to 30 million litres of drinking water daily. This volume equates to roughly 15 per cent of the Lower Hunter's average daily demand, substantially boosting the region's resilience against droughts and climate variability.
"We're committed to completing this work safely, with minimal disruption to beach users and marine life," Ms Hayes added, noting ongoing engagement with boating, recreation, and coastal user groups.
Minimising Environmental and Community Impact
The project has been planned with a strong focus on mitigating its environmental footprint. The ocean intake structure features a low-velocity design intended to prevent marine life from being drawn into the system. Furthermore, the concentrated brine by-product from the desalination process will be returned to the ocean via the existing outfall at the nearby wastewater treatment works, avoiding the creation of a new discharge point.
Belmont was selected as the site due to its optimal integration with Hunter Water's existing network, its proximity to the ocean, and because the land is already owned by the utility. This choice is expected to result in minimal impact on the local community and environment.
Residents and visitors to Nine Mile Beach may now notice the work platform, support vessels, and crane operations offshore. A 500 square-metre maritime exclusion zone is in place around the site to ensure safe navigation for all water users while construction is underway.
The successful positioning of the jack-up barge on December 19, 2025, transitions the long-awaited desalination project from planning and preparation into a tangible phase of construction, bringing the vision of a climate-resilient water supply a significant step closer to reality.
