Cherbourg Wastewater Treatment Plant, Queensland | Australia

Cherbourg wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Cherbourg, Queensland, Australia, within the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire. The facility serves a population of around 1,447 residents and operates under secondary treatment, which is standard for small communities in Australia. The plant is managed as part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the region. As a secondary treatment facility, Cherbourg WWTP provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's discharge volume is reported at 374.50 megaliters per year, reflecting the scale of the community served. Australian wastewater treatment plants are regulated under state and national guidelines, including the National Water Quality Management Strategy, which sets standards for effluent quality and environmental protection. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local catchment, which ultimately drains into the Burnett River system. The Burnett River flows eastward to the Coral Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural water uses downstream. The plant's inland location, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact, but careful management is needed to protect freshwater habitats and downstream water quality.

Cherbourg WWTP discharges into the local catchment within the Burnett River basin. The Burnett River flows approximately 435 km eastward to the Coral Sea, supporting a range of freshwater and estuarine habitats. The river is ecologically significant for species such as the Australian lungfish and provides water for irrigation and town supply. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream water quality in this semi-arid region.