A Queensland-first sustainable wastewater treatment plant at Cedar Grove is now operational.
The first flow through the $53.7 million Cedar Grove Environmental Centre (CGEC) is the culmination of two years’ of construction and a decade of planning.
Unlike conventional wastewater treatment plants, the CGEC benefits the Logan River and its catchment through record low levels of nutrients in reclaimed water, and catchment restoration projects.
CGEC is also an environmental reserve for the community and a centre for research.
Community and environmental uses occupy 95 per cent of the 204-hectare site.
The site includes seven hectares of wetlands, 120,000 native trees and shrubs, some of Logan’s oldest recorded Queensland Blue Gum trees and more than 20 bird species.
Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power said the CGEC operates under the strictest environmental licence ever granted by the Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science.
“This is cutting-edge infrastructure that the city can be proud of,” Cr Power said.
“It will cater for Logan’s population growth and ensure the environment is looked after too.
“It’s also hoped that the adjacent wetlands and revegetated areas on site will be a drawcard for our native species.”
Logan City Council and the State Government’s land use planning and property development unit, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), worked together to fund and deliver the project.
City Infrastructure Chairperson Councillor Teresa Lane said a Community Reference Group was formed to ensure decisions were made in line with community expectations.
“Council worked hard to ensure the community had a say in developing the overall master plan for the site,” Cr Lane said.
“It’s essential that the community feels a sense of ownership over big projects like this and that has been achieved.
“The site includes features requested by the Community Reference Group, including walking trails and shelters along the river.”
The plant will service the Greater Flagstone Priority Development Area (PDA).
The Greater Flagstone PDA could be home to 120,000 people by 2050.
The Cedar Grove Landcare nursery has also been established on the site.
President Rachel Hughes said the centre will serve as an educational hub with the nursery growing native seedlings.
“Initially 20,000 seedlings per year will go back to council projects with the remainder being used for conservation purposes to raise money for our activities,” Mrs Hughes said.
“This is the first time a Council has helped Landcare in this way.
“For a not-for-profit organisation like ours to be able to generate revenue outside of donations and be an asset to the community is a remarkable accomplishment.
“Through a collaborative partnership Council and Logan Water deserve thanks for working with Landcare to achieve this outstanding outcome.”
To transport wastewater from new developments in the PDA, 20km of new trunk wastewater pipelines between Greenbank and Cedar Grove, and four new pump stations were also constructed at a cost of $63m.
The public will be able to see the CGEC for themselves during a special open day on Saturday, September 19.
