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Moreton Bay to benefit from Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade

The health of Moreton Bay, and those who use it, will enjoy greater protection with a $16 million upgrade of the Redcliffe Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrade was commenced in February with Redcliffe Mayor Alan Boulton turning the first piece of soil for the Biological Nutrient Removal(BNR) plant.

The BNR plant will use the most up to date technology to remove nutrients that harm the Bay. In a 15 year contract with Council Anglian Water International will build, operate and maintain the plant.

Deputy Mayor and spokesperson for Wastewater Treatment, Councillor Allan Sutherland, said Redcliffe City Council was committed to initiating a long term health care plan for Moreton Bay, arguably Queensland's most popular marine playground. "This project will have a significant effect on the health of Moreton Bay," he said. "Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are among the biggest threats to the Bay and its inhabitants as they cause algal blooms and reduce oxygen levels."

When the new plant is operational, nitrogen and phosphorous levels will be reduced by 85 percent and 87 percent respectively. The new plant will take between 15 to 18 months to complete. It will then be able to process 13 megalitres of wastewater a day.

Councillor Sutherland said the upgrade will meet effluent quality requirements set down by the Department of Environment and Heritage and achieve world best practice standards. "Although traditional methods employed by Councils have posed no threat to humans, recent evidence has highlighted that they have not gone far enough in terms of protecting waterways," he said. He added that the treated wastewater would eventually be reused to irrigate the City's parks, reserves and sportsfields.

It is anticipated that 3.7 megalitres of the recycled effluent could be used for irrigation purposes greatly reducing the City's watering costs. "Although Council is investing in processes and technology that the vast majority of residents will never see, the effect it will have on their lives and those of their children will be marked," he said.

For further information contact CEO John Brady, telephone (07) 3283 0233

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