KAP wants cash for wastewater treatment plant upgrades across NQ

KATTER’S Australian Party is pushing for the next federal government to back macroalgae bioremediation upgrades in North Queensland.

The party wants to secure $32m to upgrade the wastewater treatment plants in Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Townsville, Palm Island, and for a new facility on Magnetic Island.

Macro-algae bioremediation takes treated effluent and runs it through freshwater macro-algae ponds prior to discharge into the sea.

The process remediates nitrogen and phosphorous, which are significant threats to the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

KAP Herbert candidate Clynton Hawks said that the technology had the feature of lower capital and operating costs than conventional systems designed to remove nitrogen and phosphorous from the discharge.

He said this system would work better in places like Magnetic Island and Palm Island where there was less space to operate.

“The biggest constraint to the growth of the region is when you reach the absolute capacity limits of your basic infrastructure like potable water and sewage,” Mr Hawks said.

“Magnetic Island needs other options for its discharged effluent, as even the addition of a block of toilets is problematic for them.

“The island’s goal of boosting local tourism and developing more short and long-stay accommodation is really stymied until the effluent issue is sorted.

“The options to pump the wastewater out to sea, truck it or pump it to the mainland are either cost prohibitive, impractical or just on the nose to locals who favour more ecologically sensitive solutions.

“Bioremediation takes the treated effluent and gives it a spit-shine, taking out the nasties and releasing it into the reef lagoon as more or less clean water.

“It needs to be considered as a viable option.”