As part of determining the Disturbance Footprint of the site, Unitywater has undertaken detailed investigations to establish geological, ecological, hydrological, and cultural heritage constraints for the proposed development area.
The result of these assessments identified the potential for impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
In December 2025, following confirmation of MNES on site, Unitywater submitted its referral for the Kawana Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This referral has now been validated and published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
The referral documentation is now publicly available and can be accessed via this link. Information on how to provide comment can also be found on this link.
Public comment on the referral is open until 19 January 2026.
