Alexandrina Council has bought a 17.8-hectare parcel of land on the outskirts of Mount Compass to secure the future management of the town’s wastewater.

The purchase of Lot 1 Berry Road, located just 2.5km from the town centre, was finalised last week, on Monday 15 January.

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes says this strategic purchase will ensure the sustainability of wastewater treatment for residents in Mount Compass.

“An opportunity came up to buy land just 500 metres from Council’s existing wastewater treatment plant on Sandmine Road,” he says.

“The site itself was once quarried for sand so half the site is already cleared and largely level, making it ideal for future expansion of wastewater infrastructure, which was confirmed by an independent engineers’ report prior to Council purchasing the land.

“We are also in a situation where currently our treated water is disposed of at a neighbouring sand quarry site under licence and through an agreement with a private landowner.

“In the long-term, that situation might change, and our Department for Health and Aged Care water processing licence requires Council to proactively seek out more secure and sustainable options to dispose of treated water.

“Having this additional land means we can plan sustainable irrigation solutions for the Mount Compass community, and we have additional wastewater treatment capacity for any future growth in Mount Compass.

“Wastewater management is critical infrastructure for any community so Council is delighted to have the opportunity to buy suitable land so close to existing infrastructure so we can plan for the future.”

Strategic land purchases for Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) across the region are included in the council’s long term financial plan.

Alexandrina Council’s CWMS operates under legislation requiring it to be cost-recoverable and self-funded, so existing users and future network users pay for wastewater services.

Lot 1 Berry Road was purchased for $770,000 plus stamp duty and associated costs, totalling $816,015.