An Indonesian jack-up barge has arrived offshore Belmont to begin construction on a new desalination plant aimed at boosting regional water supply.

A jack-up barge from Indonesia has arrived off Nine Mile Beach near Belmont, marking a key milestone in the Belmont Desalination Plant project. Positioned about 800 meters offshore, the barge will support offshore construction, including installing a direct ocean intake and tunnelling a pipeline to transport seawater to an onshore treatment facility. The project, led by Hunter Water with contractor John Holland, aims to produce up to 30 million liters of drinking water daily—about 15% of the Lower Hunter’s average demand—reducing reliance on rainfall and dams. The intake will use precast caissons and a low-velocity design to minimize environmental impact, with brine discharged through an existing ocean outfall. The site was chosen for its ocean proximity, integration with the existing water network, and minimal community disruption. A 500-square-meter exclusion zone will be enforced for safety, and ongoing public engagement will address vessel movements and construction impacts. The project is expected to enhance regional water resilience amid climate variability and drought.