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Community & Business

20 August, 2021

Water woes washed away

CHILLAGOE residents can look forward to bigger and better water security with the new 500 kilolitre water reservoir being completed.

By Rhys Thomas

A new 500 kilolitre water reservoir has been constructed for the Chillagoe township to utlilise.
A new 500 kilolitre water reservoir has been constructed for the Chillagoe township to utlilise.

CHILLAGOE residents can look forward to bigger and better water security with the new 500 kilolitre water reservoir being completed.

For years Chillagoe has been suffering from poor water infrastructure keeping the residents on seemingly permanent water restrictions.

Mareeba Shire Council (MSC) seeked to change that with the construction of a new water reservoir that was commissioned nearly a year ago. 

MSC Mayor Angela Toppin said the completion of the reinforced concrete reservoir provided Chillagoe with a level of water security not previously enjoyed by the vulnerable community.

“The higher capacity 500KL reservoir located near Hill Street replaces the two 190KL steel reservoirs which previously existed in Chillagoe,” she said.

“In addition to boosting the usable holding capacity, the new reservoir meets all cyclone rating standards and provides greater capacity for fire-fighting purposes and potential drinking water, strengthening the township's resilience in disaster situations.

“The reservoir also provides greater water security for small business, beef, mining and tourism, the main industries in the Chillagoe area, establishing greater economic stability.” 

Cr Toppin said delivery of the project was the result of Council's strong advocacy to achieve greater water security and economic development for Chillagoe, especially given the township's vulnerability to drought.

The two 190KL reservoirs that previously served the Chillagoe area were leaking and at high risk of failure, they were decommissioned and removed following construction of the new reservoir.

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