Construction of Council's second largest infrastructure project, the $85M North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant (NRSTP) expansion, has reached a significant milestone with the new process train now complete and undergoing commissioning.
The commissioning stage involves rigorous testing of all the systems and components to ensure the plant's readiness for full-scale operations planned from later this year.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the NRSTP expansion is catering for the future growth of the North Rockhampton Region up to 2050, with the capacity to treat wastewater for an additional 25,000 Equivalent Persons (EP).
"This is a vital project for our region's future and is great example of State and Local Government working together to invest in local communities," Mayor Williams said.
"We want to see Rockhampton grow and capitalise on new investment opportunities but that is only possible when you have the essential infrastructure to back it up.
"That's what this project does – renews essential infrastructure that our city relies on while adding capacity for the future.
"It's great to be able to work with the State Government on this project and to be able to utilise those funding programs like Works for Queensland and Building our Regions which lessen the impact of these big infrastructure initiatives on Council's budget and through this the broader community."
Haslin Constructions commenced construction at the end of May 2022 and has to date sourced $21M worth of materials and labour for the project locally within Rockhampton and Queensland, while also inducting 436 local employees and trade persons.
The project received a combined $8.46 million from the State Government's Works for Queensland and Building our Regions funding programs.
Minister for Regional Development, Glenn Butcher said the Building our Regions program was helpful for councils to ensure that crucial maintenance and upgrade works could proceed.
"The Miles Labor Government invests in our regional communities," Minister Butcher said.
"Building our Regions is a fantastic program supporting regional and rural councils, while supporting thousands of construction jobs across regional Queensland.
"Water and sewerage infrastructure are vital to good jobs, better services and the ongoing liveability of our wonderful Queensland communities.
"It is fantastic to see this project reach this milestone with the support of the Miles Government."
Council's Water Councillor Edward Oram said once the new plant is commissioned, refurbishment works will begin on the existing plant which was built in the 1980's.
"The refurbishment works on the existing plant will ensure the process train is operating at optimal efficiency with the same advanced aeration technology as the new plant.
"Once the entire project is up and running, the North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant will go from servicing 50,000 Equivalent Persons (EP) to 75,000 EP." Cr Oram said.
