Unitywater (QLD) has closed its Suncoast Sewage Treatment Plant at Finland Road, Bli Bli. The closure completes Unitywater’s major undertaking to transfer sewage from the communities of South Marcoola, Mudjimba, Pacific Paradise and Twin Waters to the Maroochydore Sewage Treatment Plant for treatment.
Unitywater Executive Manager, Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery, Simon Taylor said the Suncoast STP, built in 1988, had been operating at capacity and Council’s 2009 plan to expand the facility to cater for anticipated population growth in the area was estimated at that time to cost $34 million.
“Instead of undertaking an expensive upgrade of the plant, Unitywater chose a much less expensive and environmentally-friendly alternative,” Mr Taylor said.
“By building a six kilometre pipeline that included an 820 metre section under the Maroochy River, we connected the existing sewerage network of suburbs north of the river to the Maroochydore STP and saved close to $20 million in capital works.
“The Maroochydore plant had the capacity to treat the additional sewage and only needed a relatively minor upgrade to begin accepting it.”
The closure of the Suncoast STP reduces the number of sewage treatment plants operated by Unitywater across the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions to 17.
“This project is a great example of the innovation and efficiencies we are achieving at Unitywater,” Mr Taylor said.
