HiQ
Waste & Recycling
Bulla
Wurundjeri Kulin Nation
VIC
Bulla Spoils Waste Water Treatment Facility
Degnan’s expertise in managing stringent EPA compliance and independent Environmental Auditor requirements was critical to the successful delivery of the Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) at HiQ’s Bulla Spoils Facility in Victoria.
This purpose-built facility plays a vital role in the West Gate Tunnel Project, safely treating and recycling PFAS-contaminated water while setting new benchmarks in environmental management. The project reinforced our ability to deliver complex environmental infrastructure that protects communities, waterways, and ecosystems while supporting one of Australia’s largest transport projects.
The West Gate Tunnel Project required a purpose-built facility to manage large volumes of spoil excavated by tunnel boring machines. Many of these soils contained PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), demanding advanced treatment solutions to ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance. Degnan was engaged to oversee the design, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the WWTF at the Bulla Spoils Facility.
Purpose and Function
The facility provides a tailored solution for contaminated spoil management, with the WWTF designed to:
- Treat contaminated water drained from spoil material, removing PFAS contaminants.
- Recycle water to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, enabling safe reuse.
- Ensure continuous operation, with capacity to treat up to 3 megalitres every 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Facility Features
The Bulla Spoils Facility integrates multiple systems to ensure safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operations, including:
- 58 storage bays for spoil management
- Three engineered ponds
- A purpose-built wastewater treatment plant
- Two containment cells with leach-proof linings to prevent seepage
- Comprehensive monitoring under an Environmental Management Plan, ensuring compliance with EPA Victoria requirements
Project Delivery
Degnan managed the head contract between Bulla Spoils Facility and Transurban, collaborating closely with the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, EPA Victoria, and CPBJH JV including:
- Managing critical design deliverables
- Independent auditing and approvals
- Overseeing fabrication and installation
- Commissioning and operational readiness
Degnan’s specialist capability in managing stringent EPA compliance and independent Environmental Auditor requirements was central to the project’s success.
This reinforces Degnan’s reputation as a trusted project manager capable of delivering environmentally sensitive, compliance-driven infrastructure.
Key outcomes included:
- Safe & compliant treatment of PFAS-contaminated spoil
- Continuous treatment capacity of 3ML/day, operating 365 days a year
- Recycled water meeting Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
- Advanced containment systems protecting communities, waterways, and ecosystems
- Successful delivery of a highly regulated, complex facility for the West Gate Tunnel Project
