Unitywater Archives - North Lakes Today

Bray Park Pump Station Transformed Into Vibrant Wildlife Mural

A plain brick pump station in Bray Park has turned into a burst of colour after local artist Daniel Krause painted a large-scale mural featuring native wildlife, bringing art and community pride to one of Unitywater’s essential utility sites.

Local Art Brings Life To Essential Infrastructure

The mural was completed in early September 2025 as part of Unitywater’s Community Art Program. The initiative aims to give local artists opportunities to brighten water and wastewater assets across the Moreton Bay region. The artwork covers the Francis Road wastewater pump station, featuring a green tree frog and butterfly on the front, with a koala and cockatoo on the side walls.

A swirling blue pattern connects each image, representing how water links every living thing and how Unitywater’s service supports that connection in daily life. Krause, who lives locally, spent about 25 hours completing the design using acrylic house paint and aerosol spray. He finished the surface with an anti-graffiti sealant to protect it from damage and keep the colours bright.

Community Vote Shapes The Design

Before painting began, Unitywater invited residents from Bray Park and nearby suburbs to vote on which local animals should appear. A total of 153 votes were received, and the final mural reflected the community’s top choices.

Unitywater’s Executive Manager of Strategic Engagement, Joshua Zugajev, said the art program helps turn plain assets into something people enjoy seeing every day. He said it allows artists to create while giving locals a sense of pride and ownership in shared spaces.

Strengthening Local Connection Through Art

The Bray Park project follows a similar artwork completed on Bribie Island by local wildlife scientist and artist Jayda Bruce. Both projects form part of Unitywater’s ongoing effort to make infrastructure more engaging while reflecting local environments.

Residents who pass the pump station now see a colourful reflection of the wildlife that defines the Moreton Bay area. The mural serves as a reminder of the region’s biodiversity and the shared value of protecting natural resources.

Supporting A Growing Community

Unitywater provides water and wastewater services to more than 800,000 people across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, and Noosa. The organisation plans to invest $2 billion in infrastructure over the next five years and continues to employ over 700 people locally.

The Community Art Program aligns with its broader goal of fostering healthy, thriving communities while promoting sustainability and visual improvement of public assets.

Published 12-September-2025

Unitywater’s Wastewater Upgrade Includes Key Works in Deception Bay

Deception Bay was among the suburbs that received wastewater pipe relining as Unitywater carried out a large-scale program to reduce odour and prevent overflows across the Moreton Bay region.

Read: Wastewater Blockages Rising in Narangba and Deception Bay

Over a two-year period, the utility reported that it had relined 53 kilometres of wastewater mains and renewed 317 maintenance holes across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa as part of a $400 million replacements and renewals program.

Within the Moreton Bay area, about 26 kilometres of pipes were relined and 91 maintenance holes renewed. In Deception Bay, 74.3 metres of pipe were relined, while another 29.8 metres were completed in Eatons Hill.

The works used trenchless techniques rather than full excavations. Unitywater said crews applied spiral PVC relining and cured-in-place UV polymer liners to the inside of existing pipes — methods the utility described as less disruptive and more cost-effective than digging up and replacing entire sections, particularly in built-up suburbs.

Residents raised odour concerns in Deception Bay

Residents in a local Deception Bay Facebook group had voiced frustration about unpleasant smells in tap water in late 2024 and early 2025, reporting odours variously described as chlorine-like and earthy.

Authorities, including Seqwater and Unitywater, explained that such taste and odour issues reported across parts of south-east Queensland were most often caused by naturally occurring algae or bacteria in raw water sources. These compounds could affect smell and taste but, agencies stressed, did not necessarily mean the water was unsafe to drink.

Program aimed to prevent overflows and improve network reliability

Unitywater’s maintenance program also targeted sewer-related causes of odour. The utility noted that hydrogen sulphide, the gas produced in wastewater, could be corrosive and over time damage concrete and metal pipework, increasing the risk of faults and overflows.

Crews carried out CCTV inspections, jet-blasting to remove debris, tree-root removal, and, where needed, raised maintenance holes so that stormwater could not flood into the wastewater network during heavy rain.

While Unitywater stated that the relining should reduce odour complaints and improve network operability over time, the work was not considered a single-fix for all local water-smell concerns. Tap-water odours could stem from a range of sources, including household plumbing. Water authorities advised residents to run taps for a minute or two, check whether the smell affected only one fixture, and report persistent problems to their water provider for testing and investigation.

Read: Oyster Reef Trial Aims to Boost Water Quality in Lawnton and Kallangur

For many people in Deception Bay, the relining work was largely invisible but still relevant. Unitywater positioned the upgrades as part of its long-term effort to reduce smells, lower overflow risk, and maintain ageing underground infrastructure.

Published 10-October-2025

Wastewater Blockages Rising in Narangba and Deception Bay

Photo Credit: Unitywater

Narangba and Deception Bay have been named in Unitywater’s latest list of top ten wastewater blockage hotspots, prompting a call for residents to avoid flushing or rinsing unsuitable items.

Background

Unitywater recorded 4,395 wastewater blockages across its service areas of Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa during 2024–25. Almost one quarter of these occurred in just ten suburbs, which included five in Moreton Bay: Caboolture, Redcliffe, Clontarf, Narangba and Deception Bay.

Causes of Blockages

Common causes included items not designed to break down in water, such as wet wipes, paper towels, tissues, nappies, tampons, and cotton buds. These products can combine with fats, oils and food scraps to create larger blockages. The problem extends from household pipes to street mains and pumping systems that move wastewater to treatment plants, increasing maintenance costs and community inconvenience.

Narangba and Deception Bay Among Hotspots

Narangba recorded 89 blockages, while Deception Bay had 82 over the 12-month period. Other Moreton Bay suburbs on the list included Caboolture with 134, Redcliffe with 92, and Clontarf with 90. These figures highlight an ongoing need for community awareness around household waste disposal practices.

Wastewater blockages — Photo Credit: Unitywater

Community Impact

Large blockages can cause wastewater to back up through household drains or overflow into streets. These incidents carry public health risks and may also affect the natural environment. Residents are being encouraged to use small bins in bathrooms, wipe pans before washing, and collect cooking oils in containers for disposal in household bins. Simple habits can significantly reduce the likelihood of damage and disruption.

Looking Ahead

Unitywater has highlighted ongoing education campaigns to reduce the impact of non-flushable and non-drainable items. The organisation continues to remind households across Narangba, Deception Bay and other suburbs that only the “three Ps” — pee, poo and paper — should go down the toilet. Continued messaging aims to lower blockages, improve system reliability, and protect waterways in the region.

Published 27-Aug-2025

Interns Find Their Footing at Unitywater Mango Hill

At Unitywater’s Mango Hill office, Alexandra Meaney sat at her desk, reflecting on how much had changed in just three months. Fresh out of university with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resources, she had stepped into Unitywater’s Vacation Work Program with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Now, as the internship wrapped up, she wasn’t just walking away with experience—she had landed a permanent job.

She wasn’t alone. Ten interns, including Ms Meaney, had been offered ongoing employment after completing the program. For many, it was their first real step into the workforce, a transition made smoother by an environment that offered both responsibility and support.

“This program is a great pathway into the workplace – you’re given a lot of responsibility and treated as an equal member of the team, but with a lot of support, trust and encouragement,” Ms Meaney said.

“Everyone’s been so lovely and welcoming – even little things like figuring out the systems, finding a desk or a meeting room – you feel completely supported.”

Unitywater Mango Hill — Alexandra Meaney – previous Unitywater intern now Full-Time Unitywater People Support Officer
Photo Credit: Supplied

An Opportunity to Gain More Than Just Experience

For years, young professionals have faced the same challenge: breaking into the job market without prior experience. Unitywater’s Vacation Work Program was created to bridge that gap, offering university students a paid, real-world job experience. This year, 17 students took part, working across disciplines like engineering, science, ICT, communications, and analytics.

Unitywater’s Executive Manager of People, Culture and Safety, Kenan Hibberd, said the program has been running for 12 years, providing a stepping stone for students ready to move from study into the workforce. He said it’s also an opportunity to attract local talent into the water industry—an industry that many might not have previously considered.

For some interns, the program became more than just a stepping stone. Jordan Nicholson, a former participant from last year, had been in the same position as Ms Meaney, weighing his next move just before finishing his Bachelor of Science. The internship gave him something that other entry-level jobs often lacked—paid industry experience. Now, he works as a full-time Laboratory Assistant.

“I was just one month away from finishing my Bachelor of Science and starting to explore entry-level positions in the area, most of which required experience, or were not paid opportunities,” Mr Nicholson said.

“Unitywater’s Vacation Work Program was a fantastic opportunity as it provided me with industry experience while being paid to work four full days a week – it really gave me that point of difference looking for my first out-of-uni job.”

More Doors Opening for Young Professionals

Unitywater isn’t stopping at internships. The company also runs a Graduate Development Program, a two-year transition into the workplace for university graduates. This month, eight new participants will join the program.

Beyond that, there are apprenticeships and the Water Industry Work Program opportunities, creating more entry points for those looking to start their careers.

Investing in the Future of the Community

Unitywater isn’t just about water—it’s about people. The organisation provides water and wastewater services to more than 800,000 residents across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, and Noosa, and it is investing $1.8 billion over the next five years to ensure sustainable growth.

For Ms Meaney and her fellow interns, the journey from university to employment was made easier through a supportive program that values fresh talent. For others considering their career options, Unitywater’s early career programs continue to offer a pathway into the workforce—one that doesn’t just promise experience, but a future.

For more details on Unitywater’s career pathways, visit www.unitywater.com/career-pathways.