The award recognised the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme, a first-of-its-kind initiative in South East Queensland that provides local farmers with a reliable, climate-independent water supply.
This achievement means the project will now compete for the National Sustainable Project Award at the Australian Institute of Project Management National Conference on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said the recognition highlighted the innovation and commitment driving the project.
“This award is a testament to our teams' dedication and perseverance in delivering a groundbreaking project for Unitywater, which has now earned state-wide recognition,” Mr Basterfield said.
“What makes this project the first of its kind is that it’s providing recycled water to minimally processed food crops, which is an exciting step for both the local water industry and farmers and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability.
“We employ incredible people and technologies to protect the health and security of our water supply and the unique environment and lifestyle we all share. This project really showcases the incredible expertise of our people and what we can achieve when we come together to serve our communities.”
Mr Basterfield said Unitywater's recently developed and internationally-awarded project management methodology played a pivotal role in the project’s success.
“The methodology is a hybrid blend of project management tools and complexity tools to provide a robust, streamlined and efficient project management environment, ensuring we could successfully navigate the project's high complexity,” he said.
“It hasn’t been without its challenges – management of this project required approvals from eleven state and local government authorities, including the development and approval of a Recycled Water Management Plan, and the navigation of complex interfaces as a single overarching project delivered via three concurrent, interrelated and interdependent sub-projects.
“Good project governance has also ensured the project remains on course through oversight of risk, schedule and scope management and internal stakeholder engagement.”
Benefiting both the community and the environment, the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme will distribute Class A recycled water from the Caboolture South Wastewater Treatment Plant to local farmers, after it has undergone advanced treatment processes, disinfection and rigorous testing.
“By providing farmers with a consistent supply of over 1,051 Olympic swimming pools' worth of high-quality water each year, we will help them mitigate the impacts of unpredictable weather and climate change as they grow valuable crops such as turf, raspberries and strawberries,” Mr Basterfield said.
"Redirecting this recycled water to agriculture, instead of releasing it into local waterways, also brings significant environmental benefits by keeping 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonnes of phosphorus out of the Caboolture River system annually.
“Water is our most precious resource and we can maximise its value, reduce environmental impact, and support a more sustainable future for our communities.”
For more information on the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme, visit the Unitywater website at www.unitywater.com/about-us/projects-in-your-area/major-projects/wamuran-irrigation-scheme.
