Largest water and wastewater project for Aura, Harmony communities to begin construction

A massive $150m water and wastewater project with 27kms worth of pipeline is starting this month on the Sunshine Coast. Here is what we know.

The Aura and Harmony communities are expected to grow by 89,000 residents.

A massive $150m water and wastewater project with 27.1kms of pipeline and two 12 megalitre reservoirs, one connected to the Ewen Maddock Dam, will be kicking off construction in the Sunshine Coast this month.

Unitywater announced it had awarded the contract for its largest infrastructure project to McConnell Dowell.

The project will predominantly service the Aura and Harmony communities on the Sunshine Coast.

A Unitywater spokeswoman said the project would cost more than $152 million.

A spokesman for McConnell Dowell said they expected the project would create more than 200 jobs and return more than $80m to the local economy.

“We look forward to working with the local community,” he said.

Aura has been projected be home to 69,000 residents by 2056 and Harmony 20,000 residents by 2026.

Unitywater executive manager Daniel Lambert said the project would contribute to the liveability of the region.

“Our Aura water project will include the construction of a new water reservoir and 12km of pipeline to connect to the Ewen Maddock Water Treatment Plant, providing a new water network for Aura to meet future demand,” Mr Lambert said.

“The wastewater project will include the installation of a new wastewater pump station and 12.5kms of new pipeline to transfer wastewater to our Kawana Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

The project also includes a new 12 megalitre water reservoir at Tanawha and installation of 2.6km of new water pipeline to service the Harmony community.

Mr Lambert said they had explored alternative alignments and ways to construct the new infrastructure.

“So that we can minimise our footprint on natural assets and protect the site’s cultural heritage,” he said.

“This has included working closely with Kabi Kabi representatives to select an alignment that best protects the environment, as well as using alternative construction methods such as underground drilling to protect native habitats and areas of cultural significance.”

The Unitywater spokeswoman said they had undertaken a thorough planning process to ensure the project was delivered economically and environmentally sustainably.

“Unitywater has completed extensive environmental studies and received approval from all relevant authorities (local, state and federal),” she said.

“Outcomes of these studies have informed our design for the infrastructure and construction methodology to reduce environmental impacts.”

The spokeswoman said Sunshine Coast Council was a shareholder and had been briefed throughout all project stages.

“All relevant approvals have been received and Unitywater will continue to collaborate with Sunshine Coast Council to identify the best project outcomes,” she said.

Works are expected to finish by early 2026.

Originally published as Largest water and wastewater project for Aura, Harmony communities to begin construction