Mildura Rise Estate developer exploring heat blasting human sludge

A large housing estate in Central Queensland may have gotten to the bottom of their sewer system needs with an innovative solution.

The updated development site plan for 392 lots at Mildura Rise Estate near Rockhampton.

The developer of a new residential estate on Livingstone Shire’s northern corridor growth area may not need to plug into Rockhampton’s sewer system.

While Rockhampton Regional Council has agreed to service the sewer needs of Procon Development’s 392-lot Mildura Rise estate, there is a recycled sewerage option still on the table.

Procon Development’s boss Leon Tey told Livingstone Council that accessing sewer infrastructure was “key” to the development of the residential growth on the Rockhampton/Livingstone northern corridor.

“It’s (also) the number one constraint,” he said.

This map shows the location of the newly approved 393 lot Mildura Rise Estate surrounded by Glendale, Rockyview and Glenlee suburbs. The blackline is the Bruce Highway.

Which is why he’s exploring the possibility of “infrastructure independence” using “biochar treatment”.

He said that involved a reticulated sewer throughout the estate bringing human sludge back to processing plants for blasting with extremely high heat, turning the waste into biochar fertiliser.

That fertiliser then sells for $1000 a tonne.

“In layman’s terms we are turning poo into money,” he said.

“Technically speaking (biochar) is a carbon treating facility that that takes out the solid waste and basically processes it. So no more sediment ponds, no more areas for dispersing sewer.”

Procon Development’s boss Leon Tey is exploring the possibility of “infrastructure independence” using “biochar treatment”.

He said Logan City had introduced a biochar facility on a “grand scale” that had changed the cost narrative for that council by reducing the amount of biosolids for disposal by around 90 per cent and saving the council $500,000 a year.

That council produces 34,000 tonnes of biosolids each year and had previously transported it 300 kilometres by approximately 18 trucks per week to the Darling Downs agricultural area for use as a soil improver, at a major operating cost for Logan Water of around $1.8 million.

A locality plan for the proposed 404-lot Mildura Rise Estate at Rockyview.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot said if a developer was to build their own on-site sewerage treatment plant it would be their responsibility and cost.

“It’s not uncommon for the developer to have a number of different service providers,” he said.

“Certainly in the south-east that happens a fair bit with water and sewer private companies that own those assets and often they are separate from council.”

He said if Procon went down the path of a biochar facility, such a proposal would be thoroughly evaluated by council regarding its suitability.

“It would be assessed on its merits and it would be up to the developer to fund that asset,” Cr Belot said.

“Council is open to working with developers who have concepts and ideas and then they get assessed against the planning scheme.

“The ability to get sewerage there (Mildura Rise Estate) was certainly a game changer in being able to consider reducing its lot sizes under 4000 sqm (to around 2000 sqm).”

He said Livingstone would supply potable water to the estate through its large bulk water arrangement with Rockhampton Regional Council.

“It’s a very positive relationship with Rockhampton and supply will be similar to what is occurring at other estates such as Olive and Rockyview,“ Cr Belot said.

“It (the ability to plug into the Rockhampton’s water pipeline) has been built for purpose and is a straightforward exercise.”

He said the successful development, including sewer and water, of Mildura Rise Estate would be a catalyst for future growth on the corridor for suburbs with smaller lot sizes of 2000 sqm.

Originally published as Mildura Rise Estate developer exploring heat blasting human sludge