Waraba Wastewater Network

The Waraba Wastewater Network Project is well underway and with the assistance of our delivery partner, Killard Tallai Joint Venture (KTJV), we are on track for completion by the end of 2025.

The project comprises of a new wastewater pumping station and 4.5 kms of wastewater pipeline to meet the future demand of the growing Waraba (Caboolture West) community.

While our crews were busy at work early this year, they encountered challenging heat wave conditions, with recorded temperatures of up to 42 degrees onsite.

On a particularly hot day, a crew member from BMD Group, working on our neighbouring construction site, noticed an electrical contractor who was in distress. After immediately calling for help, the unwell contractor was examined by the BMD site medical team who organised for him to be taken to Caboolture Hospital for further review.

The contractor was given a clean bill of health and discharged, and KTJV were proud to present the BMD team with a gratuitous safety award at the next toolbox talk. As a safety refresher, KTJV has been reminding all crew members of high heat protocols and supplying all crews with plenty of electrolyte replacements, cold water and ice.

On hot days, following high heat protocols is super important. For a friendly reminder:

• If you’re feeling unwell, notify someone immediately.
• Make sure you know where your closest rehydration station is.
• Be aware of the Heat Stress Temperature and alter or cease your activities in accordance.
• Ask your supervisor for electrolyte replacements if necessary.
• Know the signs and keep an eye out for any crew members who might need assistance.

Pictured: KTJV team presenting the BMD team with a gratuitous safety award for their assistance with a contractor during the recent heatwave.

During construction of the wastewater pipeline along Walker’s Road, our team discovered a family of Australasian Swamphens nesting close to the alignment. With three eggs in their nest and both parent birds nearby, our team devised a plan to work around the birds with minimal disturbance.

They positioned steel plates around the nest to shield it from construction equipment and machinery moving along the pipeline alignment; it meant that our crews could continue working while keeping the birds safe.

Our crews are committed to keeping watch for any wildlife they encounter during construction and taking protective measures to keep them safe. Well done team! :)

We were pleasantly surprised to see a koala making its way up a tree in one of our Protected Tree Zones along Walkers Road. One of our crew was able to capture the moment on video and share it with others in the team. It’s not often we get to see koalas this closely, so this was pretty special!

We work closely with environment and koala rescue groups on all our projects, ensuring that where vegetation removal is required, qualified specialists such as arborists oversee the process, prioritising the retention of koala habitat trees wherever possible.

The team were straight onto having a sign installed, asking people to drive carefully in the area to watch out for these sleepy natives.

Our construction team discovered a magpie nest with three eggs in a tree marked for removal on Riverparks Way. With the help of a fauna spotter, the team moved to protect the magpie's family. Using an Elevated Work Platform, the nest was carefully relocated to a nearby tree of similar height, ensuring the nest remained safe.

Crews noticed a magpie soon returned to inspect the new nest location, and to their relief, accepted it. This successful relocation highlights our commitment to balancing construction with environmental care, ensuring wildlife protection while advancing the project.

One of our construction crew discovered a bird's nest nestled in a tree at the edge of the construction zone today. The nest contained three baby birds.

To protect the nest during construction, our team installed a temporary fence around the tree. Signs were posted to ensure the area was respected, and construction proceeded without disturbing the birds.

The parent birds continued to care for their chicks, with the buffer zone ensuring the nest remained undisturbed during works. Great work team!

We’re thrilled to have shared more than 30 tonnes of mulch from our vegetation-clearing works with Minimbah State School. The school will use the mulch to give their gardens a fresh boost.

We are thrilled to see the project’s materials going to good use in the local community. And the timing couldn’t have been better ... just ahead of Spring!

The community rallied around a plover's nest on Centennial Court last week. As trenching works along the street got underway, a number of local residents approached members of our construction crew to check that they were aware of the plover's nest in the area.

Not only was our crew aware, but they had already taken proactive steps to set up a barricade to protect the nest during the works. It’s heartening to be working alongside a community that is so committed to keeping our wildlife safe.

More than 20 felled tree logs from the Waraba Wastewater Network Project have been repurposed to help rehabilitate the Caboolture River. The logs are being used as part of Unitywater’s Caboolture River Nutrient Offset Project, which is reducing nutrient flow into the river by stabilising the riverbanks and preventing erosion.

The project works in three key ways: forming a stable bank profile through earthworks, installing log groins to reduce the movement of sediment, and stabilising soil through vegetation planting.

We are delighted our Waraba felled tree logs have been given new life and are playing a part in protecting this vital waterway.