Sustainability

Unitywater's Environmental Sustainability Plan goes beyond our compliance standards, accelerating our previous targets from 2050 to 2040.

We’ve made a pledge to create thriving communities, greener spaces, cleaner waterways and a circular economy.

Our commitment to environmental sustainability aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals focusing on five critical areas:

Ensuring waterway health
Resource recovery from waste
Climate action
Value every drop
Nature positive

Environmental Sustainability Plan Snapshot (PDF)

Environmental Sustainability Plan

Wamuran Irrigation Scheme

As part of our commitment to long-term sustainable water supply in our region, we are building the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme. This recycled water scheme will provide year-round water security for a number of Wamuran farmers while sustainably managing wastewater from the Caboolture South Sewage Treatment Plant.

The initial stage of the project will deliver 2.6 gigalitres of recycled water per year and save 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonnes of phosphorous.

Find out more about Wamuran

Yandina Creek Wetlands

In 2016, we purchased two lots of former cane farming land on River Road, Maroochy River as part of a larger program to improve the health of the rivers and creeks in the area. Much of the former cane land is being restored as a wetland.

This wetland removes nutrients and sediments from the river, which improves water quality and overall river health.

We can offset 0.26 tonnes of phosphorus and 5.3 tonnes of nitrogen per annum discharged to the Maroochy River following treatment of the local community’s sewage.

Find out more about Yandina

Man watering garden in residential garden

Water Matters

Unitywater has been engaging with community and stakeholders since 2020 to inform the development of the Water Matters Plan for the Noosa and Sunshine Coast regions.

The plan will guide how we manage water in a more integrated and sustainable way in the region over the next 30 years, contributing to a healthy, liveable and sustainable future for residents.

We’ve heard what is important from community, environmental and economic perspectives in future water management options.

Why Water Matters

Lower Caboolture River Nutrient Offset Project

This $8 million project will repair nine riverbank sites and 2.4km of eroding shoreline to offset nutrients discharged to the river from the nearby Burpengary East Sewage Treatment Plant. The project will increase biodiversity and fish habitat while stabilising sections of river bank.

Find out more

Upper Caboolture River Nutrient Offset Project

In 2019, we completed a project to stabilise a 250-metre section of the River at Bellmere. The works stopped 3,600 tonnes of soil entering the river and will hold back an annual estimate of 1.51 tonnes of total nitrogen and 0.79 tonnes of total phosphorus.

Find out more

Kawana Waste to Energy Project

At the Kawana Sewage Treatment Plant we constructed a new anaerobic digester to produce methane-rich biogas from the sewage biosolids. This sustainable waste-to-energy solution will reduce emissions, operating costs and dependence on electricity.

What you can do to help

Save water

Not only does every drop count – every drop also uses energy! And it’s so easy to do your bit and be a Local Water Legend. Go for shorter showers, water the garden at cooler times and sweep, not hose the driveways. These simple efforts can go a long way to keeping the planet in good shape for the future.

Go paperless

Receiving your Unitywater bills electronically is more environmentally friendly than paper billing. You’ll get your bill sent straight to your email and you can also view and manage your bills online through My Account.

Switch to an email bill

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