PM gives his seal of approval
 l-r: Mayor Col Meng, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Federal Member for Dawson James Bidgood, Parliamentary Secretary for Water Dr Mike Kelly, and Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin inspect the MWRP. |
It has been referred to as one of this nation’s real treasures but the newly completed Mackay Water Recycling Project was no ordinary sewage treatment initiative.
The award winning $154 million Mackay Water Recycling Project (MWRP) is one of the largest wastewater reuse schemes in regional Australia. It was a collaboratively funded project by Mackay Regional Council and the Queensland Government via the Australian Government Water Fund.
This landmark project has been recognised for its innovation, clinching the major award at the Infrastructure of Public Works Engineering Australia – Queensland (IPWEAQ) Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards recognise leading engineering projects undertaken by Queensland councils.
Mayor Col Meng said the accolade reaffirms the MWRP’s excellence in industry best practice.
“We commend the foresight of the previous Council, because this piece of infrastructure will help generate growth for the economy over the next 20 years,” he said.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd inspected the facility in July and attended a gala dinner function to commemorate the completion of the project. He was suitably impressed with the project and its significant environmental benefits.
“This project demonstrates how the different levels of government can work together to achieve efficient water management, and involve both urban and rural communities in the process,” the Prime Minister said.
Some 32 nearby canefarmers, irrigating about 3,200 hectares, are now using much of the treated effluent from the project. Access to a reliable water supply provides them with much needed certainty for the future, while preserving the underground aquifer that is severely affected by saltwater intrusion.
The successful completion of the project was due to the strong partnership forged between Council and contractors Tenix Alliance-John Holland Joint Venture.
The multi faceted project included:
