Southeast’s secret sewage site to be named

The location of one of southeast Queensland’s newest sewage treatment plants has been mired in controversy, with talks of possible land resumptions, and kept under wraps. Now that’s about to change.

● HUNT ON FOR SEWAGE SITE

● POO WAR BREAKS OUT OVER SEWAGE SITE

● HISTORIC STUD RULED OUT

THE secret location of one of southeast Queensland’s newest sewage treatment plants will be revealed next week.

Three areas were investigated and Stockleigh has been ruled out.

Logan City Council will hold a behind-closed-doors meeting tomorrow to rubberstamp the site for the southeast’s newest sewage treatment plant.

The location has been mired in controversy and kept under wraps.

A number of locations, including land at Stockleigh, Yarrabilba, Park Ridge and Chambers Flat were initially suggested when council first mooted the idea in July last year.

A 2016 independent report into the new treatment plant, by engineers Cardno, identified three plausible sites between Park Ridge and Stockleigh but the report was never adopted by council.

Last year, Logan water chairman Cr Phil Pidgeon ruled out snapping up Colbrae, a historic brahman stud at Stockleigh owned by the pioneering Hawkins family. He reiterated that promise again on the weekend.

Margaret Hawkins at historic Colbrae brahman stud farm at Stockleigh.

After the Hawkins’ Stockleigh property was knocked off the list, council revealed it was pursuing two sites — down from 24 after 19 were found to be unsuitable.

Cr Pidgeon said land resumptions were “a last resort” and council had talked with many parties willing to sell their properties for the $40 million, 80 hectare venture.

Leeroy Bobermein who rallied to save the historic Colbrae brahman stud farm.

Council said the new plant was necessary as its Loganholme treatment plant, currently processing sewage from Park Ridge, would hit capacity by 2020.

● SITE KEPT TOP SECRET

The announcement of the location was expected to be made in February so work could begin this financial year but it will now be made next week at Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Cr Pidgeon said the state had already zoned and signed off on all of the sites and would “not pull up development” which will be funded by Economic Development Queensland.

An aerial view of one of Logan City’s waste treatment plants.

Criteria for the site included having enough land for a 500m buffer zone and being near the Logan River.

Cr Pidgeon said 45 per cent of the waste to be treated at the new plant would be from Yarrabilba, 5 per cent from Logan Village and the other half from Park Ridge, Chambers Flat and Logan Reserve.

He said council hoped the plant would be a “first” for Queensland and involve local businesses using recycled waste water for non-food irrigation.

Council has plants at Loganholme and Beenleigh, and temporary facilities at Jimboomba and Flagstone.