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Environmental Sustainability Plan

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


Shellfish reef trial

In 2023, we launched an innovative shellfish reef trial in the Pine River with our partners University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), OzFish and Healthy Land and Water. These reefs, made from recycled oyster shells, attract shellfish that act as natural filters – removing excess nutrients and improving water quality. In just six months, our first reef removed 7.24 kilograms of nitrogen, proving how powerful this solution can be.

We’ve now expanded to three sites with 120 oyster baskets, and the trial will run until 2028. Researchers have found the reefs overflowing with shellfish, including tiny mussels that are incredibly efficient at cleaning water. Based on early results, installing 154 reefs covering two rugby fields could offset nitrogen from a treatment plant serving 10,000 people. This is a big step toward our goal of diverting or offsetting all nutrients from waterways by 2040.


Recycled Water Strategy Snapshot

Recycled water presents an opportunity to extend the productive value of water that has already been used and to achieve environmental sustainability outcomes.

Our recycled water strategy looks to harness the opportunities we have to lead the identification, scoping and delivery of recycled water opportunities.

The strategy guides us identify additional climate resilient water sources, support sustainability commitments and help address water security challenges and alleviate pressure on our drinking water supplies. 

Unitywater Recycled Water Strategy Snapshot

Wamuran Irrigation Scheme

The Wamuran Irrigation Scheme delivers 2.6 billion litres of climate-independent Class A recycled water to local growers each year.

This enables farmers to better plan for business growth, contributing to local employment and investment in our region.

The scheme also diverts 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonnes of phosphorous away from Caboolture River each year, to improve water quality.

A pineapple farm was one of the first food crops to be irrigated under the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme.

Find out more about Wamuran Irrigation Scheme

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

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