Community & Business
3 October, 2024
Critical water works completed
A CRITICAL water infrastructure project for Mareeba has been completed, with the State Government contributing millions of dollars towards the works.
Mareeba Shire Council has just finished a major upgrade to the water pump station and filtration system at the town’s treatment plant with the help of $2.5 million from the Building Our Regions program.
The filtration system project included the replacement of the outdated system through the construction of a new six-cell filter block to reduce water loss, improve climate change resilience, and to ensure the provision of reliable and safe drinking water to the community now and into the future.
The project began in October 2022 after Mareeba Shire Council received $2 million in funding from the Building Our Regions program to construct the new filters and a further $475,524 through the Miles Government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies program to upgrade the raw water pump Station.
This builds on the $7.3 million investment through the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) program for the Mareeba Regional Water Security project.
The project is aimed at reducing water loss and improving water security for the community and industry, through upgrades to the Mareeba water treatment plant clarifier system and replacing old water mains.
Upgrades will also lead to improved water quality in the Barron River and the surrounding environment.
Minister for Water Glenn Butcher travelled to Mareeba last week to inspect the new works.
“Mareeba is a growing community and really highlights the importance of the Queensland Government working with councils to deliver the core infrastructure they need,” he said.
“This helps council’s bottom line and it helps put downward pressure on rates and charges.
“This work is vital, not only to improve water security but to help ease cost of living, by keeping downward pressure on council’s water charges and rates.
Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin is “delighted” that the critical projects have been completed.
“Council has been investing in and advocating strongly for water security in our shire for many years, and I am delighted that we have completed these critical projects at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant,” she said.
“The Raw Water Pump Station Project includes a new electrical control station that has been built above the 1-in-100-year flood level and new immersible pumps.
“Relocating the electrical station to higher ground has addressed this potential hazard.
“We are pleased to receive this vital funding that combined with our own investment, will ensure we are delivering a safe, secure and reliable water supply for our residents and industry well into the future.
“These funded upgrades will not only help to improve our water quality but take pressure off other parts of the treatment process – also allowing us to increase the overall amount of water we can produce, which is a fantastic outcome for our community.”
