A sophisticated new sewage treatment plant that will turn wastewater into high-quality, Class A+ recycled water suitable for non-drinking use is at the centre of a project on one of Australia’s most beloved isles.
The investment by the Queensland Government on Great Keppel Island (Woppa), designed to a Category C cyclone rating ), will transform the island’s infrastructure, ensuring it can continue to thrive as a key destination for tourism and regional development.
“This project is a great example of how innovative engineering can provide long-term benefits for both the community and the environment,” said Pensar’s Chief Operating Officer David Brown.
“Extensive field sampling and testing were undertaken to inform a robust process design that was developed and completed in-house by Pensar’s process engineering team.”
The sewage treatment plant is fully funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan, which was led by the community and key stakeholders and provides a roadmap for the island’s future.
Livingstone Shire Council awarded the design and construction of the new sewage treatment plant to RSK business Pensar, with the design work starting in October 2024 and construction following in August 2025. The plant is expected to be fully operational in June 2026.
In keeping with the island environment, all containers, structures and tanks are designed to a Category C cyclone rating in line with Australian Standards and local council building regulations. The design also considers the proximity to salt water for corrosion and other environmental factors such as UV, temperature, soil movement, humidity and rainfall to ensure reliability in the harsh conditions.
The remote location also meant that Pensar has not had access to an on-island concrete supply and so the project team has managed all batching and mix designs in-house to meet programme and quality requirements.
“The environmentally sensitive nature of the location, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, has required detailed planning and strict adherence to statutory requirements. All materials and equipment had to be transported via private barge and unloaded during high tide windows, requiring precise logistical planning and coordination,” Brown said.
Brown added that the sewage treatment plant is a packaged plant designed to be as easily transportable as possible, with a significantly reduced establishment and installation time compared to most traditional treatment plants.
“It consists of custom fitted shipping containers that hold the plant rooms and critical electrical equipment. These will work in conjunction with heavy duty PE tanks that contain the critical process-related equipment, such as the membrane bioreactor and aerators and make up the system that treats the island’s sewage into recycled water that will be used to irrigate the island’s open spaces,” he said.
“The plant is fully automated with remote monitoring and control and is designed to consider the maintenance challenges relating to the remote location of the site on an island.”
The plant offers 500kL of wet weather storage to mitigate overflows during wet weather events. The main sewage pumping station has been designed to effectively manage wet weather events.
