This project was designed to assist in the development of the 2009 Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy. Climate change was identified as one of the critical planning parameters for the program, with the potential to pose a significant risk to sewage management in Melbourne over the long term.

Water Technology was engaged by Melbourne Water to undertake an assessment of climate change impacts of sea-level rise and storm surge/tide on selected sewerage infrastructure assets in Victoria. An assessment of long-term shoreline recession, coastal inundation, flooding, and short-term storm erosion coastal hazards was carried out for each site.

A risk assessment demonstrated that long term shoreline recession and coastal inundation hazards are expected to result in increased risks to the Western Treatment Plant under 2060 climate change scenarios. A basic framework for assessing potential adaptation strategies for Metropolitan Sewerage Infrastructure was provided and included conceptual design and costing of coastal protection options along the 15 kilometres of vulnerable coastline. 

These works were reviewed and updated in 2017 for the Western Treatment Plant site, including further assessment of erosional processes occurring along the shoreline and updated inundation analysis.