Diameter dome cover
15m
Below sea level
20m
Plant capacity, rainfall-independent
30 ML/day
Scheduled for operation
2028

The project

The $530 million Belmont Desalination Plant, under construction by John Holland under an alliance with Hunter Water, will be a permanent facility designed to secure the region’s water supply with up to 30 million litres per day of rainfall-independent capacity. Scheduled for operation by 2028, the project includes marine works for a direct ocean intake.

The challenge

The customer, John Holland, required a bespoke solution for this complex intake structure, which needed a large diameter cover for the top of the intake structure. At 15 metres in diameter and operating 20 metres below sea level, this cover demanded precision, collaboration and deep composite expertise.

GRP was selected as the material of choice for its high corrosion resistance, low maintenance and an asset life of 50 years plus.

What RPC did

RPC scoped, designed, engineered, manufactured, delivered and assembled the 15m diameter cover. Our team undertook method trials to confirm the jointing approach that delivered the highest level of safety, reliability and efficiency for the project.

RPC also fabricated copper‑nickel screens that protect marine life and divers.

OneRPC in action

  • Our Australian team scoped, designed and engineered the solution
  • Our Batam team manufactured the GRP components
  • Our Broadmeadow team tested and rectified components to ensure perfect fit
  • Our Site team completed the site assembly

Timeline

Project milestones

  1. Mar 2026

    Manufacture and delivery of the GRP cover completed; pre-assembly about to commence.

  2. May 2026

    Design, manufacture, delivery and site assembly of the GRP dome cover completed.

Gallery

Project news

Updates from the project

All news
15m GRP dome cover for the Belmont desalination ocean intake, assembled on site

Infrastructure

Hunter Water’s new desalination plant at Belmont

RPC has recently completed the design, manufacture, delivery and site assembly of the GRP dome cover for the direct ocean intake structure at Hunter Water’s new desalination plant at Belmont, a project that will play a critical role in securing water for the Lower Hunter region.

Belmont desalination GRP intake cover segments

Infrastructure

Belmont GRP Covers

RPC recently completed the manufacture and delivery of GRP Cover for the marine Intake structure for the new Belmont Desalination Plant in NSW.

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