The Burdekin Shire Council officially unveiled its cutting-edge Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility in Ayr on Friday 20 June, 2025, with the Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, leading the momentous occasion.
“This facility is a great example of regional Queensland taking the lead and embracing emerging technology,” said Leahy.
The facility—which cost around $8.3 million—was jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Burdekin Shire Council. It uses RegenAqua’s award-winning Macroalgal Bioremediation Technology to naturally treat wastewater with native Australian seaweed, improving water quality before it reaches the Great Barrier Reef catchment and producing a sustainable, natural crop enhancer for agriculture.
“It’s a win-win situation for the whole community,” said Leahy. “It’s a sustainable solution for the beautiful North Queensland environment, delivering value for ratepayers and creating opportunities for local farmers.”
Also present at the official opening was Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, who said that the project delivers wide-ranging benefits.
“Beyond the environmental benefits, the project has created local economic benefits, from employing local businesses during construction to creating exciting new opportunities,” she said.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the region had taken a bold step forward.
“We are extremely proud to open this facility right here in the Burdekin. It positions our region at the forefront of green innovation and demonstrates how regional communities can lead the way in environmental sustainability,” she said.
“I sincerely thank the Queensland Government for their funding support through the Building our Regions and Local Government Grants and Subsidies Programs, and acknowledge Pacific Bio’s vision and commitment to advancing this exciting technology.”
RegenAqua, developed over a decade at James Cook University, uses local macroalgae and sunlight to naturally strip nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. Since its inception in 2021, the Burdekin pre-facility has outperformed expectations, reducing pollutants below global best-practice levels while remaining cost-effective and carbon neutral.
In recognition of its success, RegenAqua won the Conservation accolade at the 2022 Reef Champion Awards. CEO Sam Bastounas said the award highlighted the team’s environmental work, and Australian of the Year and climate scientist Professor Tim Flannery praised the system as “an absolute no-brainer sustainable solution that’s going to change the landscape of industries–for the better.”
Mayor Dalle Cort hopes the Burdekin can serve as the trailblazer of a wide-scale rollout.
"This facility has a great potential to be replicated across other local government areas. We're looking forward to sharing our results with our government colleagues."
111: Sam Bastounas, CEO of Pacific Biotechnologies (Australia) Pty Ltd, Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort at the Macroalgae Bioredmediation Facility Official Opening held this morning.
1: Unveiling of the Ayr/Brandon Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility plaque
2: Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers addresses the crowd.
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