Wellcamp Airport and Business Park Expansion
Scalable Wastewater Treatment Plant for aviation precinct
PROJECT DETAILS
Location:
Toowoomba, QLD
Product
500kL Kubota MBBR
Capability
Design, construct, and install WWTP
True Water has completed each phase of the scalable Wastewater Treatment Plant for Wellcamp Airport and Business Park, achieving all major project milestones along the way. Just 15 kilometres west of Toowoomba, this development is located well beyond municipal sewer network. The site is owned and operated by Wagner Corporation and is Australia’s largest private infrastructure project,
The Wellcamp Airport and Business Park is a self-sustaining, master planned aviation and commercial precinct. Wellcamp Airport plays a vital role in regional air freight, mainly supporting Queensland’s agricultural exports to Asia. The Business Park has also drawn large corporations and industries in need of purpose-built facilities.
As more tenants moved in, demand for essential services surged. True Water’s WWTS design planned for the staged expansion of the system as required to accommodate future growth. The system was engineered to manage sewage and wastewater from the expanding industrial community and to ensure no matter how large the inflow volume the WWTS can be scaled to match the inflow
Stage 2 installation of the Wellcamp Airport and Business Park Kubota WWTP.
Scalability was critical as the airport and business park were developed in stages over several years.
Stage 3 of the Wellcamp system expansion involved the installation of addition modular sewage treatment plants
The modular Kubota WWTP allowed for additions, ensuring uninterrupted daily operations.
Aerial view of Wellcamp Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
The Wastewater Treatment System is capable of handling peak flows of 500kL per day.
Certified True Water technicians handle all servicing and maintenance.
The Wellcamp Airport and Business Park is self-sustaining, master planned aviation and commercial precinct.
True Water’s scalable Wastewater Treatment Plant meets demand
In 2014, True Water completed Stage 1, of the scalable Wastewater Treatment Plant ultimately capable of handling peak flows of 500kL per day. Using a modular Kubota Moving Bed Biological Reactor (MBBR), the design allowed the system to continue running smoothly during upgrades. With flexible capabilities, the system could scale up in 50kL increments as required. Rapid growth of the business park and aviation precinct has led to quicker-than-anticipated expansion.
By 2021, the system’s capacity had been raised to 250kL per day to support the Queensland State Government’s conversion of part of the Business Park into a COVID-19 quarantine facility for up to 1,000 people. Meanwhile, the airport remained a crucial hub for national and international freight supply chains.
In late 2023, True Water completed Stage 3, further expanding the system to 500kL per day, aligning with the original design plan. Positioned near the airport, the plant’s compact, below-ground installation ensures no odour, minimal visual impact, and maximimises infrastructure lifespan.
The system is now the largest privately owned and operated onsite wastewater treatment plant in Australia.
Kubota’s modular treatment plants make expansion a simple matter
The modular design of the plants ensures all treatment processes are contained within each packaged system, making the Kubota ideal for scalable solutions. This also allowed True Water to keep the system operational while expanding the capacity of the WWTS . In other words, there was no interruption to services for the airport or business park, and for a busy aviation and industrial centre, this was very importance.
The Kubota MBBR plants were designed and manufacture in Japan under their international ISO certification, then delivered to site ready for installation. Our technicians manufactured the rest of the components of the system to the highest standard in the controlled environment of our workshops, which standardises processes and removes risks associated with onsite fabrication.
Utilising the Kubota’s advanced technology, True Water provided Wellcamp Airport and Business Park with an efficient, scalable, and environmentally compliant solution. Through close collaboration with the client, we seamlessly integrated each project stage into the environment without any visible impact. The commissioning process involved detailed testing and inspections to confirm that the system met every design specification. These checks included component assessments, control system calibrations, and real-time performance testing across electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
Consistent asset management by accredited technicians drives efficiency, compliance, and sustainability
The Wellcamp Airport is designed to cater for large jets up to up to the size of a Boeing 747, facilitating the largest airfreight aircraft into and out of the region. The capacity of the airport has continued to expand. Particularly in its role as a major inland freight hub and the home of Australia’s first QANTAS Pilot Academy. Wellcamp Business Park is a highly attractive business destination and has also seen immense growth. This includes multiple large workshops and factories, a major milk processing plant, RSPCA depot, and Micro Breweries.
Throughout this time, the Kubota STP installed by True Water has continued to operate at a high level. We work closely with Wagners to ensure the ongoing compliance and reliability of the sewage treatment infrastructure. Wagners has engaged True Water to provide comprehensive asset management which includes remote monitoring, priority technical support and annual reporting. Our certified technicians complete regular servicing and maintence to keep the plant operating smoothly and safely. Training of onsite staff also assists in the day to day management of the system.
Built for low energy use, minimal maintenance, and robust performance, True Water’s scalable Wastewater Treatment Plant has significantly cut operational costs while advancing Wellcamp Airport’s sustainability goals. This high-efficiency process not only meets strict environmental standards but also ensures the infrastructure is fully equipped for future growth.