‘Gold Banksia’ goes to Gippsland Water Factory project

Gippsland Water has won the ‘Gold Banksia’ at the 2011 Banksia Environmental awards for its new wastewater treatment project, the Gippsland Water Factory.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, as part of an alliance with Gippsland Water, Transfield Services and CH2M HILL, collaborated to design, construct and commission the plant.

The Banksia awards are Australia’s pre-eminent environmental awards. The Origin Gold Banksia award is presented to an overall winner selected from the ten Banksia categories.

Gippsland Water was a finalist in the Built Environment and Water categories for the Gippsland Water Factory project and the Education category for its Vortex Centre and associated ‘Water Wonders’ education program. The corporation won both the Water and Education category awards.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Regional Director John Theodoulou said this award recognises the vision of Gippsland Water and its alliance partners to solve a longstanding environmental problem and at the same time deliver an innovative and sustainable integrated wastewater project.

“This new wastewater treatment system incorporates water recycling and sustainable design principles to deliver the best outcome for the local environment and community.

“Parsons Brinckerhoff is proud to have been part of such an important project for the Gippsland community,” said Theodoulou.

Gippsland Water Factory daily treats up to 35 mega litres of wastewater from over 19,000 homes and businesses in nine Gippsland towns, including Australian Paper’s local pulp and paper mill.

To minimise its carbon footprint, 20% of the factory’s electricity needs are self generated using renewable green energy sources such as a co-generation facility that converts methane gas into power and a micro-hydro scheme.

The plant also incorporates many sustainable design principles to minimise chemical and energy consumption and is an example of modern infrastructure fit for a carbon-constrained world.

Gippsland Water Factory’s wastewater treatment and recycling plant is located at Maryvale, near Morwell in Gippsland, south-east Victoria.