Great news for Port Hinchinbrook residents with works now underway on the replacement of the Port Hinchinbrook (Cardwell) Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) with construction commencing late August 2023.

This project is an investment in the long-term resilience and prosperity of Port Hinchinbrook and Cardwell, providing a foundation for sustainable growth and development.

The new STP is a result of years of planning and collaboration between all three levels of government to replace a failing facility. During construction, the current STP will remain functional, ensuring seamless service transition for Port Hinchinbrook residents. This approach will minimise disruption to residents during the transition period.

The contract for the STP project works was awarded in June 2023 and has been awarded to Haslin Constructions.

The normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook is expected to cost $19.3 million, with $17 million allocated towards the total STP project. These works would not have been made possible without the contribution of $12.3 million in funding provided by the Australian and State Governments.

Council has resolved that the $7 million gap would be funded by borrowings and repayments made by those who benefit from the scheme. This project will not be funded by the broader ratepayer base.

Council, together with our State and Federal members have commenced advocating for additional financial contributions, with the aim of reducing the financial impact on Port Hinchinbrook residents and businesses.

International conflicts and associated impacts to shipping logistics will result in delays for the delivery of pumps and mechanical equipment vital to commissioning and handover of the Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) which is now anticipated for completion in November 2024.

Aside from this delay, the project is tracking well with works onsite continuing largely on-program

as construction moves from civil phase to the mechanical and commissioning phase.

• Installation of the recycled water tank has commenced
• Decanter has arrived onsite for installation
• Roofing to structures has been installed
• Mechanical Installations subject to delay
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council confirming their willingness to be part of a broader plan in regard to what part they could play in conjunction with the State to develop a long-term strategy for dredging at Port Hinchinbrook and finalising the normalisation process of the development, and attracting investment in the development.
• Economic Development Queensland to undertake further legal examination of possible options that could be taken in order to add value and de-risk the project for a potential future developer of the marina basin and land assets.

The normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook is expected to cost $19.3 million. $12.3 million in funding is provided by the Australian and State Governments resulting in a funding shortfall of $7 million.

Council has resolved that the shortfall would be funded by borrowings as well as repayments made by those who benefit from the scheme. This project will not be funded by the broader ratepayer base.

To help ease the financial burden of the funding shortfall to Port Hinchinbrook residents who are beneficiaries of the STP, Council has joined with the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce to advocate for further funding support from the Queensland Government.

The funding shortfall was recently discussed at a meeting held by Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto in Cairns on Friday 31 May.Attending from Council was Mayor Teresa Millwood with Division One Councillor Peter Reed and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Graffen alongside operational staff.From the State Government, representatives from Economic Development Queensland and the Premier and Cabinet were in attendance.

The meeting provided the following outcomes:

Read more about this meeting at https://nickdametto.com/statement-from-nick-dametto-mp-port-hinchinbrook-june

Construction of the Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has surpassed 70% completion, accumulating a direct spend with Cassowary Coast businesses worth over $2.6 million.

In Cardwell, almost $1 million has been spent on the procurement of goods and services for the project including electrical and plumbing services, earthworks and quarry materials.

Cassowary Coast subcontractors to the project include:

• CCUS Tully (earthworks)

• IMEC, Innisfail (earthworks)

• Absolute Electrical, Cardwell (minor electrical)

• Century Cranes, Innisfail

• Cassowary Coast Sheds, Mission Beach

• Plumbers Underground Pipework -Andrew Vaugh, Innisfail

• Kane Plumbing & Irrigation, Innisfail

• All Painting Specialists, Cardwell

Procurement of local supplies have been provided by:

• Bonassi, Cardwell (quarry materials)

• Shamrock, Tully (quarry materials)

• Holcim, Tully (concrete)

• OzPoly, Innisfail (temp irrigation tanks)

• Wide Span Sheds, Innisfail (temp shelter)

• Mitre 10, Cardwell

Throughout the project which commenced in August 2023, 105 people have been employed to work across 24,200 cumulative hours.

Council is pleased to offer an update on the progress of construction of the Port Hinchinbrook Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).

Construction of the plant is now 50% complete with the project on track to reach completion within budget in August 2024 (pending weather and unforeseen delays).

• Major concrete works have now been completed
• Hydrotesting is complete
• Installation of in-ground services is currently underway
• Coating of concrete tanks is complete
• The major storage tank has been procured and en route from the UK

The normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook is expected to cost $19.3 million, with $17 million allocated towards the total STP project. These works would not have been made possible without the contribution of $12.3 million in funding provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

For further information about Port Hinchinbrook (Cardwell) Sewerage Treatment Plant & Normalisation please see Council’s Your Say page at https://yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/port-hinchinbrook.

The project has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the major structural concrete work which constitutes the majority of the visible progress captured in the aerial image.

The contractor is gearing up to commence the installation of in-ground services, connecting all the previously constructed components. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the installation of mechanical and electrical components, including tanks, pumps, and switchboards.

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is pleased to provide the community with an update for ongoing construction works for the Port Hinchinbrook (Cardwell) Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) project.

Works are well underway and significant progress has been made in various aspects of construction.

As we approach the hot summer months, and the start of our wet season, the project has gained momentum and is progressing slightly ahead of the planned program.

During summer, we face the additional challenge of rising temperatures. For the safety of workers, there may be instances where work commences at night or earlier in the day to ensure the welfare of workers and to mitigate these risks. The safety and well-being of the ground crew remains the key priority throughout construction in addition to minimising impacts on residents and the public.

Concrete base and wall pours

Construction crews have been completing concrete base pours, that will form the stable foundation that is essential for the STP’s structural integrity. Additionally, concrete pours for walls are progressing smoothly with further works planned in the coming months.

Earthworks and geotech for water tank

Earthworks and geotechnical activities are largely complete to prepare the site for the construction of the water tank. Undertaking these activities will ensure a strong foundation to optimise the tanks stability, which will improve longevity and functionality.

Earthworks, geotech, and pours for chemical receival bay

A chemical receival bay is a designated area where various chemicals used in the treatment process are received, stored, and managed. Concrete pours for this section will soon commence.

13 October 2022

The normalisation of Port Hinchinbrook is progressing with Cassowary Coast Regional Council focusing on a number of important projects across the suburb. The broader project has seen Council acquire road, sewerage, open space, storm water and water assets within Port Hinchinbrook. Council is working to maintain, renew and upgrade this infrastructure in line with Council’s current service standards across the region.

Major projects within Port Hinchinbrook include the design and construction of the Cardwell Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the emergency dredging of One Mile Creek.

Council has reached a significant milestone in the Cardwell Sewage Treatment Plant project with detailed design complete and released to market seeking suitably qualified contractors to deliver this key infrastructure. Council anticipates considering contract award in November 2022.

To provide for the operation of the new STP an application for an Environmental Authority was submitted in early September and is progressing toward approval. The Environmental Authority allows Council to operate the sewerage system and provide services to the Port Hinchinbrook community whilst complying with legislative requirements.

The emergency dredging of One Mile Creek is progressing with draft agreements provided to the Liquidator for access to dredge spoil ponds and approval to operate under the existing dredging permits. Once negotiations have been finalised an open tender will be undertaken to award the project for delivery. Council anticipates that works will commence early in 2023.

The transfer of ownership and control of the road, sewerage, stormwater and water assets to Council. This project will see State and Federal funding deliver rehabilitating sections of roads, replacing culverts, upgrading sewage systems and the construction of a new STP for the residents of Port Hinchinbrook.

Funding

The Queensland Government have allocated $6.3 million and the Federal Government $6 million. Funding agreements have been executed.

Background

Council officially took ownership of the Port Hinchinbrook STP on 2 December 2021, and at Local Government Meeting 9 December 2021, Council resolved to progress with the normalisation of the estate based on funding from the State and Federal Governments.

With numerous failures of the estates ageing STP and associated infrastructure, this matter has been critical to resolve as releases to the environment had the very real potential to impact on public health and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Port Hinchinbrook STP License agreements between the State, Council and Liquidator provides for secure sewerage services for residents whilst the normalisation of the private estate is finalised. This agreement reflects the commitment of the Queensland Government, Liquidator and Council to ensure that environmental releases from the estate are a thing of the past.

Major Benefits/ Project Outcomes

The project will work towards Council providing the services of sewerage, roads, parks, storm water and water management.

The project includes the acquisition of these current assets, some renewal, and upgrades to allow Council to provide services that align with our service standards.

Please contact Council via email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au, phone 1300 763 903 or visit the Cassowary Coast Regional Council on Facebook at Cassowary Coast Regional Council for more Major Project Updates.