Albury City Council’s Wastewater scheme was named ‘Overall Winner’ at the annual Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia – NSW Division Awards for excellence in Local Government projects.
Presented during the Annual Conference on 29 October, this year the awards attracted 23 entries from 21 Councils across News South Wales. Categories included Design and/or Construction of a Local Government Project; New or Improved Techniques; and Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater.
An integrated solution to wastewater management, the Albury project combines state of the art nutrient removing treatment facilities with beneficial reuse options, such as woodlots, lucerne crops and wetland rehabilitation.
The $30 million project provides environmentally sustainable outcomes via beneficial joint venture partnerships.
The judges stated that what commenced as an engineering project has become a ‘whole of community’ program. It has provided significant environmental improvements and facilities for not only the residents of Albury, but also for communities downstream on the Murray River.
The project involved the construction of an advanced water treatment plant and a laboratory control facility. Irrigation reuse schemes include 75 hectares of pinus radiata plantations; 75 hectares of hardwood plantations; and 60 hectares of lucerne. Some 85 hectares of wetlands has been developed along with an urban catch and release fishery in the tertiary effluent polishing pond. Over 150,000 native plant species have also been planted.
Integration with Council’s stormwater management programs and phosphorus action campaigns is also a key aspect of the project.
Overall Runner-up Awards were presented to Hornsby Shire Council, for its Mt Kuringai Materials Handling Facility, and Lismore City Council’s School Bus Interchange and Pedestrian Underpass project. Other category winners included Blacktown, Dubbo, Eurobodalla, Orange and Wollondilly.
