(6 July 2011)

A $27 million water treatment plant on Queensland's Western Downs has been constructed by Laing O'Rourke for QGC, a leading coal seam gas explorer and producer.

The Windibri plant, outside Chinchilla, will treat 6,000,000 litres of water per day from the nearby gas wells - more than enough to fill two Olympic Swimming Pools every 24 hours.

Water produced at the plant will be used by the nearby Condamine power station and neighbouring coal handling facilities.

Works included design, procurement, bulk earthworks, detailed civil works, piping, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, commissioning and performance testing.

A Laing O’Rourke spokesman said the project had been challenging but rewarding.

"Our work coincided with the Queensland floods. It was great to be able to get involved with the locals in Chinchilla and help raise much-needed money to help the community rebuild.”

Some highlights of the project included:

• Providing practical onsite training for graduates and apprentices
• Working cooperatively with project partners
• Self performing all construction works
• Supporting the local community with fundraising and other events

Laing O'Rourke is now also constructing a larger treatment plant for QGC at its nearby Kenya operation.