Walkers Creek Restoration Stage 1 commenced implementation in 2008-09 and was based on a Property Management Plan completed by the landholders Keith and Sonya Hopper. The project hardened the properties extensive livestock laneway system, concreted dairy hard-stand, improved waterway crossings, erected riparian fencing and associated off stream watering and established riparian vegetation. Maintenance on the project (revegetation) is continuing.
In mid-2013 a Biolytix aerobic wastewater treatment unit was installed to not only treat the dairy effluent but also from the neighbouring milk processing plant (Maleny Dairies) – a total of 8,000 litres of effluent per day.
To ensure all effluent from the dairy is collected and directed to the system, further hard-stand concreting on the western side of the dairy is required, including a sump and associated pumping system.
Walkers Creek Restoration Stage 2 is a project designed to reduce the impacts of dairy livestock by improving effluent management. The waste streams generated by the dairy will be utilised as a resource with the solids assisting to offset fertiliser expenses and the treated water pumped through an irrigation system to supplement existing supplies – particularly during dry periods.
The project completed two components:
1. Extend dairy apron (concrete) by 300 m2 ;
2. Associated ‘sump’ to capture effluent.
