Published Thursday, 17 January, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Hervey Bay gets $22m for recycled water infrastructure
The Queensland Government has approved more than $21.9 million to further develop major water infrastructure projects that will have significant community and environmental benefits for the Hervey Bay region.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the funding for three important projects would ensure the future sustainability of water resources in Hervey Bay.
Member for Hervey Bay and Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara welcomed the announcement, which will provide:
• more than $16.5 million for the Eli South waste water treatment plant
• $3.3 million for the Vanderwolf Road farm recycled water scheme
• $2.1 million for the Dreamtime Avenue farm recycled water scheme.
“Hervey Bay has experienced significant population growth in the past two decades and with this, the council has faced a host of challenges including how to deal with waste and waste water,” Mr McNamara said.
“The council, working with Wide Bay Water Corporation, has implemented innovative waste water projects that enable up to 100 per cent of the city’s effluent to be re-used on farms.
“The announcement of these key projects is great news for the community and will significantly reduce the volume of waste water being discharged to the environment.”
Mr Pitt said funding for the new Eli South Waste Water Treatment Plant would produce an improved quality of waste water.
“This project will not only allow water to be re-used, but will also take some of the strain off the existing Eli Creek waste water treatment plant,” he said.
“A new bioreactor treatment plant will be built and it will be capable of removing bacteria from waste water, resulting in better quality waste water.”
Mr Pitt said the Vanderwolf Road farm recycled water scheme included the purchase of about 135 hectares of land suitable for establishing a hardwood plantation.
“The project also includes construction of a main pipeline to the farm from the existing re-use main at Booral Road, and the construction of a 500-megalitre onsite storage dam,” he said.
“The areas unsuitable for hardwood plantation will be used to trial a wetlands area to improve irrigation water quality.”
Mr Pitt said the Dreamtime Avenue farm recycled water scheme would manage effluent from the Burrum Heads area.
“The Dreamtime Avenue farm is suitable for growing crops and there are a number of tree species that can be grown to manage effluent extracted by the Burrum Heads waste water treatment plant,” he said.
“This project consists of the purchase of a 175-hectare farm, a 50-megalitre storage facility, a pumping station, a new waste water pipeline from the existing Burrum Heads waste water treatment plant and the development of a hardwood plantation.
“Eighty hectares of woodland will be planted, and the direct management of re-use on the trees means it will be more reliable and sustainable.”
Mr McNamara said these projects would help eliminate the need for ocean discharge and would protect the bay’s marine environment.
“Hervey Bay has many magnificent natural resources but, unfortunately, an abundant water supply is not one of them,” he said.
“These projects represent a significant investment in water resource management in Hervey Bay, and are an excellent example of the government and local council working together.”
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government provided 40 to 50 per cent of the funding for these projects under the Water and Sewerage Program, with the council providing the rest of the costs.
“This program provides funding for water and sewerage infrastructure projects that encourage the re-use of waste water and reduce discharge into the waterways.”
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr McNamara’s Office 3336 8004
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the funding for three important projects would ensure the future sustainability of water resources in Hervey Bay.
Member for Hervey Bay and Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara welcomed the announcement, which will provide:
• more than $16.5 million for the Eli South waste water treatment plant
• $3.3 million for the Vanderwolf Road farm recycled water scheme
• $2.1 million for the Dreamtime Avenue farm recycled water scheme.
“Hervey Bay has experienced significant population growth in the past two decades and with this, the council has faced a host of challenges including how to deal with waste and waste water,” Mr McNamara said.
“The council, working with Wide Bay Water Corporation, has implemented innovative waste water projects that enable up to 100 per cent of the city’s effluent to be re-used on farms.
“The announcement of these key projects is great news for the community and will significantly reduce the volume of waste water being discharged to the environment.”
Mr Pitt said funding for the new Eli South Waste Water Treatment Plant would produce an improved quality of waste water.
“This project will not only allow water to be re-used, but will also take some of the strain off the existing Eli Creek waste water treatment plant,” he said.
“A new bioreactor treatment plant will be built and it will be capable of removing bacteria from waste water, resulting in better quality waste water.”
Mr Pitt said the Vanderwolf Road farm recycled water scheme included the purchase of about 135 hectares of land suitable for establishing a hardwood plantation.
“The project also includes construction of a main pipeline to the farm from the existing re-use main at Booral Road, and the construction of a 500-megalitre onsite storage dam,” he said.
“The areas unsuitable for hardwood plantation will be used to trial a wetlands area to improve irrigation water quality.”
Mr Pitt said the Dreamtime Avenue farm recycled water scheme would manage effluent from the Burrum Heads area.
“The Dreamtime Avenue farm is suitable for growing crops and there are a number of tree species that can be grown to manage effluent extracted by the Burrum Heads waste water treatment plant,” he said.
“This project consists of the purchase of a 175-hectare farm, a 50-megalitre storage facility, a pumping station, a new waste water pipeline from the existing Burrum Heads waste water treatment plant and the development of a hardwood plantation.
“Eighty hectares of woodland will be planted, and the direct management of re-use on the trees means it will be more reliable and sustainable.”
Mr McNamara said these projects would help eliminate the need for ocean discharge and would protect the bay’s marine environment.
“Hervey Bay has many magnificent natural resources but, unfortunately, an abundant water supply is not one of them,” he said.
“These projects represent a significant investment in water resource management in Hervey Bay, and are an excellent example of the government and local council working together.”
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government provided 40 to 50 per cent of the funding for these projects under the Water and Sewerage Program, with the council providing the rest of the costs.
“This program provides funding for water and sewerage infrastructure projects that encourage the re-use of waste water and reduce discharge into the waterways.”
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr McNamara’s Office 3336 8004