Water and Sewer Services Manager, Steve Marshall (left) with Costa Georgiadis and Water Resources Coordinator, Ken McLeod (right).
5 December 2024
Bega Valley Shire Council has won a Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Award in the Water Management category for the development and communication of the Brogo Water Treatment Plant.
The award recognises excellence among NSW councils with a population between 30,000 and 100,000.
Water and Sewer Services Manager, Steve Marshall said the project delivers a safe and secure water supply to northern communities in the shire, providing clean drinking water for thousands of residents.
"The new Brogo Water Treatment Plant represents a big step forward in water management and sustainability," Mr Marshall said.
"The plant's development was accelerated in response to the devastating Black Summer bushfires, which destroyed 80% of groundcover in the drinking water catchment and heightened the urgency of water quality and security improvements.
"Planning for the new treatment plant was already underway before the fires. However, the catastrophic combination of bushfires and subsequent floods forced us to fast-track our plans.
"The Brogo Water Treatment Plant was then designed and constructed to deliver a long-term solution, incorporating advanced processes such as flocculation, aeration and filtration."
Understanding the need for public awareness, Council took an innovative approach to share the project with the community.
"Our communication team crafted an interactive and immersive digital narrative detailing the journey from disaster recovery to the creation of the shire's most advanced water treatment facility," Mr Marshall said.
"The treatment plant and immersive communication demonstrates innovation, resilience and collaboration.
"We are grateful to the NSW Government for its support and to our dedicated project and communication teams who ensured this story was shared widely.
"The project underscores Council's commitment to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing."
Mr Marshall thanked all the staff who contributed to the development, construction and ongoing operations of the Brogo Water Treatment Plant.
"Their efforts were instrumental in the success of this project, earning recognition with this prestigious award," he said.
"This is a significant achievement for our team and a proud moment for the Bega Valley Shire."
For more information about the Brogo Water Treatment Plant and to read the immersive story, visit:
State-of-the-Art Water Treatment Plant
The project was funded by a $10 million grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment's Safe and Secure Water Program and supplemented by a $2.5 million contribution from Council.
