Image above: Cloncurry STP

The availability of reliable, high-quality data is already delivering tangible benefits. Councils now have a much stronger understanding of their assets, enabling more accurate forward planning and improved decision-making.

Importantly, the project has strengthened councils’ readiness to go to market. With clear and consistent information, they can develop more precise Requests for Tender, significantly reducing the likelihood of scope creep, contract variations and unexpected costs. This translates directly into better value for money and more efficient project delivery.

A key strength of the project was its collaborative model. By working together, participating councils were able to share knowledge, align approaches and adopt best-practice methods for lagoon management.

The project also demonstrated the value of inter-regional collaboration, with Quilpie Shire Council from the South West Queensland Water and Sewerage Alliance (SWQWSA) joining the initiative. For Quilpie, the assessments of lagoons in Quilpie and Eromanga have provided critical insights into sludge volumes, appropriate treatment approaches and disposal pathways – information that will underpin future works and procurement.

Beyond the immediate benefits for desludging planning, the project has made a broader contribution to improving water and sewerage service delivery across the region.

With better asset condition data, councils are now better equipped to:

• Plan timely desludging activities
• Protect environmental and public health
• Support long-term water security and community growth
• Deliver more consistent service standards across council boundaries

The project also supports workforce planning and technical capability, providing a stronger evidence base for ongoing asset management and operational decision-making.

The Lagoon Desludging Preassessment Project aligns closely with the objectives of the QWRAP, particularly in promoting regional collaboration, strengthening technical capability, and supporting sustainable water and wastewater management.

It also reflects priorities identified in Alliance and council strategic plans, including improved asset management, environmental protection and service resilience. At a broader level, the initiative contributes to Queensland Government priorities around sustainable infrastructure and enhanced regional service delivery.

Delivered with strong participation across multiple councils, the project provides a clear example of how targeted, collaborative investment through QWRAP can deliver meaningful regional outcomes.

By addressing a common challenge with a shared solution, the participating QWRAP councils have not only improved current understanding of lagoon assets but also established a scalable model for future projects – one that strengthens capability, reduces risk and delivers long-term benefits for communities across regional Queensland.