Crews are pouring concrete while Logan sleeps, racing to build the sewage plant that mayor Jon Raven says is essential to keeping new homes coming.
The Chambers Flat Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to support 20,000 new homes between Park Ridge and Yarrabilba.
Speaking at the Pleasant View Road site on 11 October, Premier David Crisafulli said growth had to protect existing residents’ quality of life.
“Our job is to build the infrastructure to protect the lifestyle of those who are here already and provide those opportunities,” he said.
“We are starting to build the infrastructure with a record pipeline and productivity is returning.
“People are talking about Queensland and they’re talking about it in a way that I haven’t felt in a long, long time.”
Cr Raven warned housing growth depended on the project.
“Without the 20,000 homes that this project will unlock, we would have to stop approving and building new dwellings in Logan by the middle of next year. That’s how critical this is,” he said.
“You can’t build homes without running water and flushing toilets.”
Cr Raven said crews were working six days a week, pouring concrete between 1am and 4am.
“We’re pouring concrete through the night to be able to deliver this as soon as possible,” he said.
The state committed almost $136 million through its Residential Activation Fund last year.
The broader $334.5 million project includes the plant, connecting pipelines and pumping stations.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said council’s preparation helped secure the funding.
“And the reason Logan Council were first to be announced with $136 million for this Chambers Flat wastewater treatment plant is because they were ready to go. They were keen,” he said.
“That is not the cost of the project. The council are putting in a bucket of money as well and employing locals and lots of people for this infrastructure.”
He said the fund also supported other Logan projects.
“So in total, Logan has received $166 million from round one and round two, which is three projects unlocking thousands of blocks of land,” he said.
“Sewage and storm water is not sexy but it is absolutely necessary.”
UDIA Queensland CEO Kirsty Chessher-Brown said the work translated development plans into places to live.
“It’s just fantastic to see this level of progress on this project in Logan,” she said.
“Water pipes, sewer stations, wastewater treatment plants, roads, all of these pieces of infrastructure turn development approvals into homes that people can move into.
“We know that there is only one way out of the housing crisis and the affordability crisis and that is housing supply.”
She said the state funding helped overcome the infrastructure barrier.
“It’s funding the type of infrastructure that gets people into new homes and that’s what we need in the midst of a housing crisis.”
Cr Raven said managing growth also meant supporting community life.
“It’s making sure the people love living in Logan,” he said.
The plant’s first stage is designed to serve up to 60,000 people and treat about 10 million litres of wastewater daily.
Council’s published timetable anticipates first wastewater flows in 2028, with housing growth supported as new estates connect.
Community consultation began in 2018 and the site was selected in 2019.
The design includes odour controls and a vegetated buffer to reduce impacts on neighbours.
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