A new sewage treatment plant that will turn wastewater into high-quality, Class A+ recycled water suitable for non-drinking uses is at the centre of the Queensland Government’s plan to revitalise Great Keppel Island (Woppa).
The sewage treatment plant is fully funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan, which was led by the community and key stakeholders and provides a roadmap for the island’s future.
Livingstone Shire Council awarded the design and construction of the new sewage treatment plant to RSK business Pensar. Construction began in August 2025, and the plant is expected to be fully operational in June 2026.
In keeping with the island environment, all containers, structures and tanks are designed to a Category C cyclone rating in line with Australian Standards and local council building regulations. The design also considers the proximity to saltwater for corrosion and other environmental factors such as UV, temperature, soil movement, humidity and rainfall to ensure reliability in the harsh conditions.
Pensar’s Chief Operating Officer David Brown said the company was proud to partner with Livingstone Shire Council to deliver such an important piece of infrastructure for Great Keppel Island.
“This project is a great example of how innovative engineering can provide long-term benefits for both the community and the environment. Extensive field sampling and testing were undertaken to inform a robust process design that was developed and completed in-house by Pensar’s process engineering team,” he said.
The team engaged with multiple stakeholders as part of the project, including Traditional Owners, government bodies, accommodation providers and residents.
“The environmentally sensitive nature of the location, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, has required detailed planning and strict adherence to statutory requirements. All materials and equipment had to be transported via private barge and unloaded during high tide windows, requiring precise logistical planning and coordination.”
The remote location also meant that there was no access to an on-island concrete supply, and so the project team has managed all batching and mix designs in-house to meet program and quality requirements.
The project will deliver a membrane bioreactor plant producing Class A+ effluent, sized for 480 equivalent persons. It is a packaged plant designed to be as easily transportable as possible, with a significantly reduced establishment and installation time compared to most traditional treatment plants.
The plant offers 500 kilolitres of wet weather storage to mitigate overflows during wet weather events.
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the new treatment plant was critical infrastructure that would bring Great Keppel Island’s tourism potential to life.
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Adam Belot said the project was a major step forward for the island’s long-term sustainability.
This is a landmark moment for Great Keppel Island and the broader region. By replacing outdated systems with reliable infrastructure, this investment helps protect the island’s sensitive environment and supports future tourism and community use in a responsible way, ensuring Keppel can continue to thrive as a key destination for tourism and regional development.”
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