Pulgul Creek Sewage Treatment Plant

Project summary

The Pulgul Creek Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade will increase wastewater treatment capacity in Hervey Bay to support population growth and ensure wastewater continues to be treated in line with Council’s environmental obligations.

Pulgul Creek is one of three sewage treatment plants serving Hervey Bay and is located on Cicada Lane, Urangan.

The upgrade will increase the plant's treatment capacity from 5 megalitres (five million litres) per day to 7.5 megalitres (7.5 million litres) per day. The upgraded facility will also be designed to expand to 10 megalitres per day if required in the future.

Treated water from the plant will continue to be used in Council's recycled water scheme where possible, with any additional treated water safely released to the environment.

What's happening?

The upgrade will include:

• New treatment infrastructure to increase the amount of wastewater the plant can process each day;
• New settling tanks that help separate treated water from solids during the treatment process;
• Upgrades to systems that disinfect and treat wastewater before it is reused or released;
• New equipment to improve the handling and processing of treatment by-products;
• Improvements to existing infrastructure so wastewater can move through the treatment process more efficiently; and
• A new treated water discharge pipeline (marine outfall) north of the Urangan Boat Harbour. The new location in the deep-water channel will help manage future flows and improve the dispersion of treated water.

The plant's two existing treatment streams will remain in operation and continue to form part of the upgraded facility.

Why is the project needed?

Hervey Bay continues to grow, increasing demand on essential infrastructure and services.

The upgrade will help ensure Council can continue to provide reliable wastewater services while supporting future housing, business growth and community development.

The project will:

• Increase wastewater treatment capacity by 50 per cent;
• Support population growth across the Fraser Coast;
• Allow Council to continue to meet its environmental obligations; 
• Improve Council's ability to reuse treated water; and
• Provide capacity for future expansion as the region continues to grow.

Project background

In December 2019, Council considered a report examining potential locations for the upgrade and feedback received from the community.

Following that process, Council resolved to proceed with a concept design for the upgrade at the existing Pulgul Creek Sewage Treatment Plant site.

Engineering company Kellogg Brown and Root Pty Ltd (KBR) was engaged to develop the design.

Project status

Concept design

The updated concept design was completed in December 2025.

Detailed design

KBR is currently undertaking the detailed design phase, which is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Environmental approvals

The project also requires updates to its Environmental Authority, which is issued by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

A separate design process is underway for the new treated water discharge system, with final design details to be determined through the approvals process.

Project cost

Estimated project cost: $100 million. 

Indicitave timeline

Further information

Download the project fact sheet below for more detailed technical information about the upgrade.