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General News

27 September, 2020

Chillagoe set to go with new water tank

By Phil Brandel

Chillagoe set to go with new water tank - feature photo

Chillagoe's old water tanks are set to be replaced by a new 500 kilolitre tank in the hope of increased water security for the town.

On Wednesday, September 16 the Mareeba Shire Council awarded a tender to King Concreting Pty Ltd – trading as Civform – for $1,097,577.47 for the construction of a new reservoir at Chillagoe.

The town has been on level three restrictions since 2017 when the existing aquifer began drying up due to increased mining and farming in the area.

The two existing reservoirs will be replaced by a new 500 kilolitre tank, Mayor Toppin said the new tank will increase water capacity by almost 40 per cent

“This one new tank will replace the two older leaking tanks while at the same time increasing the town’s water capacity by about 40 per cent,” she said

“This will help ensure water security for Chillagoe for consumption and also for fire fighting.

“The people of Chillagoe talk about two things water security and the BDR (Burke Developmental Road), so this is a big step in helping them with water security.

The project was given a boost after the MSC received $450,000 from the State Government’s Building Our Regions program and $600,000 from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

Construction is due to start in October and should be finished around May weather depending.

MSC started to tackle the water supply issue earlier this year by sinking several exploratory bores to locate a new water source.

An exploratory bore was drilled in June to identify the quality and reliability of the underground supply which is approximately 4km from the town.

A council spokesperson said that the council was now doing a second round of testing at the new bore “for water capacity and usability.”

‘If everything goes to plan the water from the new bore will go to the treatment plant and then will be used for town water.”

 

 

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