Unitywater is trialling an oyster reef restoration project that will, for the first time in Australia, determine the value and effectiveness of oysters to filter nutrients in waterways.
The restoration project will explore the effectiveness of restored shellfish reefs in the upper estuarine reaches of the Pine River (10 km from the river mouth). They will also be installed at sites immediately downstream of Unitywater’s Murrumba Downs Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Daniel Lambert said this fresh thinking would help the water utility achieve its net zero sustainability goals.
“Unitywater’s commitment to net zero includes an ambitious goal of ensuring all nutrients from wastewater are diverted or offset from waterways by 2050,” he said.
Lambert said the project would test the viability of oyster reefs as an economical nutrient offset method. It should help Unitywater offset the nutrients following the wastewater treatment process.
“Many of us enjoy eating oysters. What is less known is that they are brilliant little creatures that can ‘clean’ waterways and improve water quality by absorbing nitrogen,” he said.
Industry-university partnership on oyster reef
UniSC Senior Lecturer in Animal Ecology Dr Ben Gilby said the University was pleased to be the scientific partner in such a pioneering project.
“Shellfish reef restoration is a relatively new intervention in Australia. Researchers know that these reefs have a great capacity to enhance and restore biodiversity and fisheries,” he said.
Healthy Land & Water CEO Julie McLellan said nature-based technologies are a testament to the vast range of effective, non-invasive, and enviro-friendly solutions that nature provides society.
“This exciting project reinforces our mission to lead and connect. We want to use science and actions that preserve, recover, and enhance our natural assets and environment in SEQ. It will also bring value to the community,” she said. “Through these invaluable partnerships, we can improve water quality by offsetting nutrients and enhancing aquatic biodiversity. The benefits of this choice will affect generations to come,” she adds when asked about the importance of the project.
Unitywater oyster reef could provide novel research outcomes
OzFish Senior Project Manager for South East Queensland Abbie Taylor is also excited to see what the research will uncover as they rebuild more shellfish reefs around Queensland.
“This research is going to be very exciting. It will open up opportunities for more restoration. There is the potential to look at shellfish reef restoration as an offset for industry,” she said. “It will paint a bigger picture about how important shellfish reefs are to our ecosystem. We will get real data to showcase their work in filtering nutrients.”
Lambert said Unitywater was committed to sustainability while enhancing water and wastewater services for its communities.
“We are continuously looking for ways to reduce our operating footprint. Ideally, we want to use the natural environment to help us do our job and beneficially reuse water,” he said. As one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, we need to plan today to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future. We are excited to be working with our project partners and First Nations group on this project.”
Unitywater is presenting the trial at Ozwater, Australia’s premier water exhibition and conference, in Sydney on 10-12 May.