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12 June 2009
Work begins on Brunswick Valley Sewage Treatment Plant
Work on Byron Shire Council’s new BrunswickValley Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) began this week.
Byron Shire Council’s director of water and recycling management services Phil Warner said construction on the $25 million STP is expected to be completed, and the plant operational, by the end of 2010.
“The new plant will service the townships of Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads and treat waste water to a much higher standard than the current old treatment plants,” Mr Warner said.
“The new treatment plant will provide high grade water for reuse opportunities in the Main Arm Irrigation Scheme which includes agricultural uses such as a dairy farm.
“The use of recycled water also has the benefit of reducing the amount of irrigation water drawn from creeks particularly in dry weather,” Mr Warner said.
Brunswick
Valley
STP works completed to date:
STP Access Road Construction
The new sewage treatment plant is located on Council owned land at the end of Vallances Road, off Coolamon Scenic Drive, north of Mullumbimby.
Upgrade of Vallances Road and construction of the access road to the STP was completed in March 2009.
Environmental Works
Council commenced environmental restoration of the 85 ha property in 2006 and has achieved major environmental goals since then. Initiatives include:
- 4.5 km of cattle exclusion riparian fencing erected on the site enclosing 35ha of riparian zones and protecting endangered ecological communities.
- Planting approximately 30,000 trees in riparian zones.
- Opening of the western billabong to the BrunswickRiver, reintroducing fish passage after 100 years of estuary separation.
- 2000 trees planted by the Community on community open days.
- Over 1000 hours of weed management in over 35 hectares of riparian zones.
- ‘Koalas to the fishes’ river bank rehabilitation using trees removed for Vallances road upgrade.
- Slumping bank rehabilitation on the STP site along affected sections of the BrunswickRiver will commence in June.
- Further tree planting, habitat restoration and weed management will continue throughout the project.
Rehabilitation has been undertaken with assistance of grants from the:
- NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Conservation Unit.
- NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change Estuary Management Program.
- Federal Government Community water grant
- NSW Government Envirotrust.
Further information can be obtained from the Brunswick Area Sewerage Augmentation Scheme hotline on 02 6626 7321.
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Media Contact: Donna Johnston
Media Communications Officer
Byron Shire Council
Ph: 02 6626 7320
Mbl: 0417 609 189
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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