East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant - Industrial Synergies Scoping Study (131)

Project Status: Complete
Project Participants: GHD
Project Leader: Dick van Beers (GHD)

The project focussed on maximising the industrial synergies from the development of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at East Rockingham. The Rockingham Industry Zone is the last heavy industrial site in the Perth metropolitan region and therefore of strategic importance to Western Australia. The WWTP should be regarded as a major opportunity to serve as an anchor tenant to
attract synergistic businesses, rather than viewing the WWTP as a constraint in the development of the area.

This project showcased the commercial application of the regional synergies research program of CSRP. It was the first time that a new major utility being developed in the Kwinana Industrial Area was evaluated for synergy opportunities. The project outcomes have the potential to lead to several synergies around the proposed treatment plant and existing and new industries in the Kwinana Industrial Area. The project also enabled a relationship to be developed with new partners, LandCorp and Water Corporation, which may lead to other research (such as feasibility studies of selected synergy opportunities) in the longer term.

The project confirmed the great potential for new synergies emerging from the proposed East Rockingham WWTP. Over 20 by-product, utility, supply, and service synergy opportunities were identified that involved the WWTP and existing and future industries in the Rockingham Industy Zone and the Kwinana Industrial Area. The most promising synergy opportunities were the:

• Reuse of treated effluent by industries within the Rockingham Industry Zone and Kwinana Industrial Area;
• Co-processing of biosolids with other organic and inorganic resources;
• Managed aquifer recharge of treated effluent from the East Rockingham WWTP.

The odour footprint assessment undertaken as part of this project resulted in a set of review criteria to assist Water Corporation and LandCorp in deciding which industry types could or should not operate within the odour footprint of the wastewater treatment plant. The project delivered implementation plans to assist with the further development of the synergy opportunities identified and the odour
footprint assessment. Both LandCorp and Water Corporation expressed their appreciation for the project report and results.