King Island Council has taken out the Local Government Category of the national Banksia Awards for its Currie Sewage Treatment Wetlands project featured in last month’s edition of FOCUS. Organised by the Banksia Environmental Foundation, the awards were announced in July. They aim to raise the profile of the current environmental issues facing Australia and recognise initiatives that provide an example for others to follow.
King Island was awarded for outstanding achievement by a Local Government authority, in developing and implementing this environmentally sustainable initiative. The Currie Sewage Treatment Wetlands, commissioned early this year, provide passive treatment of wastewater in a coastal dune setting. The project demonstrated that tertiary sewerage treatment using a relatively simple wetland system is an environmentally and economically sustainable solution for small communities throughout Australia.
There was some initial community concern as the wetland is located adjacent to the township of Currie. However, Council, in partnership with Syrinx Environmental, has demonstrated that by integrating a passive system with the surrounding natural environment, these systems can enhance rather than detract from the aesthetics of an area.
For further information go to www.syrinx.com.au/projects/currie-main.php
