Wastewater Treatment Plant Update

The new Point Lookout wastewater treatment plant has been officially opened ahead of the busy summer holiday period.

Odour control was a key focus of its design, with a number of controls installed to significantly reduce emissions. Wastewater is treated through a three-stage process at the new plant to ensure it meets very strict environmental licence conditions set by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. This process is monitored through the Healthy Waterways initiative in south-east Queensland to ensure minimal impact on water quality and aquatic life, protecting the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island.

Detailed design of the sewerage network extension is already underway, with a $5 million, three-year construction program expected to commence early in the 2017-18 financial year. Community engagement activities are planned for early 2017 with the goal of providing the most efficient design while minimising impact on the community.

The new facility was jointly opened by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams and Mr Glenn Butcher MP, Assistant Minister for Local Government and Infrastructure on Friday 25 November. The Mayor and Assistant Minister were joined by Brad Taylor (Redland City Council), Gary Souter (Redland City Council), Mike Basterfield (Downer), Jim Pruss (Seqwater) and Andrew Morrison (Downer) for the official opening.

Construction of the new wastewater treatment plant at Point Lookout is complete, with commissioning now underway. With capacity to service more than twice the number of people than who currently visit the township during its peak holiday period, the new plant is a welcome asset, particularly those who are not currently connected to the sewerage system.

Detailed design of the associated sewerage system is underway, with the three-year, $5 million construction program expected to start in 2017-18 financial year.

Community engagement is planned for early 2017 as part of the design process, with the goal to provide the most efficient design while minimising impact on the community.

More information will be provided to residents and property owners in coming months.

For those properties currently using septic systems and located in an area with a sewer running past, there is now capacity to connect to the network. Contact Council on 3829 8999 for more information about how to connect.

The access track from Tramican St to the new wastewater treatment plant will be upgraded this week (weather permitting). Residents may notice an increase in truck movements on Tramican St as gravel is delivered to site. There may also be some noise and vibration from a roller working on the track. The work is expected to be completed on 1 September.

The Point Lookout Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade is well underway with construction expected to be completed in July and wet commissioning conducted in August and September.

This $13.5 million dollar project will ultimately service 4600 residents and visitors at Point Lookout during peak periods. The new plant will provide a minimal impact to the environment and greatly reduce odour concerns. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology will ensure a higher quality effluent through ultra-fine screening, denitrification, chemical phosphorous removal, membrane treatment and disinfection. Planning is also underway to sewer remaining areas of Point Lookout that currently use septic tanks.

Check out these time lapse videos to see the progress of work on the Slab and Northern Wall.

This article originally appeared in On Tap in the Redlands Issue 1 – April 2016.

On Thursday 17 December (weather permitting) there will be a concrete pour at the Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant construction site.

This will involve approximately 17 concrete trucks entering the site via George Nothling Drive and Cummings Parade over the course of the day. Work is scheduled to commence at 8am and may cause minor traffic delays.

Concrete trucks, accompanied by a spotter vehicle and traffic management, will reverse at a speed of 10km per hour up Cummings Parade before turning into the site. Due to the steep incline, it is necessary for these trucks to reverse to safely access the site and not spill any concrete.

To speak to a Redland Water officer about any concerns, please call 3829 8999.

The Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade is a joint initiative of Redland City Council and the Queensland Government and will significantly improve effluent quality while reducing the impact of wastewater on the island’s unique environment.

On Friday 11 December (weather permitting) there will be a concrete pour at the Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant construction site.

This will involve approximately 25 concrete trucks entering the site via George Nothling Drive and Cummings Parade over the course of the day. Work is scheduled to take place from 8am and may cause minor traffic delays.

Concrete trucks, accompanied by a spotter and traffic management, will reverse at a speed of 10km per hour up Cummings Parade before turning into the site. Due to the steep incline, it is necessary for these trucks to reverse to safely access the site and not spill any concrete.

To speak to a Redland Water officer about any concerns, please call 3829 8999.

The Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade is a joint initiative of Redland City Council and the Queensland Government and will significantly improve effluent quality while reducing the impact of wastewater on the island’s unique environment.

Project contractor Downer Tenix advise that construction has commenced on the new wastewater treatment plant at Tramican Street, Point Lookout. Major upcoming activities include:

• Bulk earth works
• Construction of MBR tank (formwork, steel installation and concrete pours)
• Installation of incoming rising mains on the plant access track
• Construction of new administration and blower buildings

Further notifications will be provided of activities that may have a greater impact on the community. These shall be issued closer to the time of each activity.

Downer Tenix will work to minimise impact to the community during construction. In coming weeks, residents may notice excavators and equipment being trucked to site, semi-trailers delivering construction material, and concrete trucks accessing the site via George Nothling Drive and Cumming Parade.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August 2016, weather permitting, with the new plant fully operational by early 2017.

The project is a joint initiative of Redland City Council and the Queensland Government and will significantly improve effluent quality while reducing the impact of wastewater on the island’s unique environment.

The new $13 million wastewater treatment plant at Point Lookout has received a major boost with the State Government contributing more than $3.3 million towards the crucial piece of community infrastructure.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had been successful in receiving funding through the 2015-16 Local Government Grants and Support Program.

“Scheduled for commissioning in late 2016, this upgrade is an important community project – coming at a time where the island is transitioning from sand mining,” she said.

“The new plant replaces ageing infrastructure and will provide many social, economic and environmental benefits to the community.

“It will not only provide direct and indirect economic benefits to the community during construction, but allow Council to progress its plans to extend the township’s sewerage network.

“We know there have been issues with the existing plant’s ability to cope with peak holiday times, so it’s wonderful to see this upgrade underway.

“We are grateful for the support the project has received to allow this to happen, particularly from the State Government and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation.”

The design of the new wastewater treatment plant allows for seasonal changes in wastewater flow and future growth as more properties are able to move from septic systems.

Using membrane bioreactor technology, the plant will have strict odour controls and capacity to treat 1600 kilolitres of wastewater a day, more than twice the current highest flow of 700 kilolitres a day that the township experiences in its busiest peak holiday season.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the State Government recognised the important place improved infrastructure held in the island’s future.

“Our Government has committed to helping the North Stradbroke Island economy transition successfully to the end of sand mining,” she said.

“This will include a focus on eco-friendly tourism, but we first need to ensure that the island has adequate infrastructure in place to allow this to happen.

“The Point Lookout Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade will see a 30-year-old facility replaced with a state-of-the-art plant that will meet the needs of the community for decades to come.”

The Point Lookout Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade is a joint initiative of the Redland City Council and the State Government. Subscribe for updates about the project as it progresses.

Detailed design of the new wastewater treatment plant continues and principal contractor Downer Tenix expects to establish the site mid-October. Earthworks are scheduled to commence in the first week of November, with civil and structural works to follow in late November and continue until August 2016.

Residents may notice an increase in heavy vehicles on the island and traffic on Tramican Street from mid-October until the end of the year as the project team mobilises and equipment is transported to site.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August 2016, weather permitting. The new plant will then be commissioned, with peak flow testing over the busy Christmas holiday period. The project is expected to be completed by early 2017 and the existing plant demolished once the new plant is operational.