Septic solution a win for community and environment

Published on 13 April 2026

An innovative partnership to solve a complex challenge has helped secure the future of the 120-year-old Harwood Island Community Hall, while protecting the surrounding environment and the Clarence River.

The riverside hall has been the heart of the community for well over a century, but in recent years with the growth in the population and increased usage of the hall it faced a significant issue: its ageing on-site wastewater treatment system could no longer cope.

Modern environmental regulations meant that the system couldn’t simply be upgraded – it was too close to the Clarence River. Nor could it be relocated, as the entire hall site was unsuitable.

To add to the complexity, it is on Crown land, with only a small portion managed by Council.

After countless meetings and discussions, an innovative idea was floated last year by a Council staff member: what if wastewater could be pumped to the nearby Harwood Mill for treatment and disposal?

Negotiations between Council and the owners of the mill, Sunshine Sugar, were a success. The mill’s on-site system had enough additional capacity to process wastewater from the hall, and Sunshine Sugar agreed to go ahead with the project.

A pressurised pipeline system was installed to pump wastewater from the hall to the mill, involving cooperation between Sunshine Sugar and Council’s Open Spaces and Water Cycle teams. The system is now in operation.

"It's a brilliant solution because we were really stuck … to say I’m delighted would be an understatement. We’d like to thank Sunshine Sugar and Clarence Valley Council for making this happen." — Helen Briscoe, Harwood Island Hall Committee Treasurer.

Harwood Island Hall Committee Treasurer Helen Briscoe said it was “absolutely amazing” to have the on-site wastewater issue solved.

“We can now hold events without worrying about how many people are attending, in case the septic system is overloaded. This is wonderful news for the Harwood community.”

PICTURED: An innovative solution to an outdated riverside septic system has been welcomed by Harwood Island Community Hall committee members Helen Briscoe, Angeline Shoveller, and Mathew Anderson. Concerts are among the many different events held at the popular hall.