Treating sewage with algae a win for Burdekin farmers and community
In the cane fields of Ayr, about 90 kilometres south-east of Townsville, the wastewater treatment plant swaps chemicals for macroalgae and the sun's rays.
Officially opened in June, the plant has already helped Burdekin Shire Council make significant savings, costing $8 million compared to the $30 million required to build a conventional treatment facility.
The council is the first local government to implement the technology, with the help of biotech company Pacific Bio.
Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said she was pleased to see the project in action.
Pacific Bio chief executive Sam Bastounas said the technology used nature to do the heavy lifting.
"This is the first time anyone anywhere has done anything on this scale using algae," he said.
The algae work as a filter, absorbing the nitrogen and phosphorus in the wastewater to deliver clean water back to the community.
The nutrient-dense algae is then harvested at the facility and turned into a biostimulant used to fertilise agricultural crops.
Pacific Bio chief scientist Nicolas Neveux said the goal was to return all nutrients in macroalgae back to the land.
Dr Neveux said the product reduced the need for synthetic fertiliser, which had a flow-on effect in reducing nitrogen runoff into the Great Barrier Reef.
Burdekin sugar cane farmer Frank Mugica has been trialling the bio stimulant since 2022 on his rotational bean crops.
He said he had noticed an improvement in soil health, which brought him peace of mind about the longevity of his farm.
Mr Bastounas said there was interest in the technology from other local governments near the reef, including the Hinchinbrook, Townsville and Palm Island councils.
"The Burdekin realised change is coming and they've been a pioneering council," he said.
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