General News
18 March, 2026
Water-wise projects gaining momentum
PROTECTING the Barron River and, in turn, the water running into the Great Barrier Reef has been strengthened with a major manhole replacement project underway throughout Mareeba.
Already 155 sewer manholes have been completed, with another 49 manholes targeted in the coming months.
The 2025-2026 Manhole Refurbishment Program was a “very strategic project” with strong environmental outcomes, Cr Amy Braes said during a recent Mareeba Shire Council meeting.
“It is actually acting on the quality of water running into the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.
A council officer said the project had been progressing very well and was remediating and replacing older sewerage and water infrastructure that was at “end of life”.
“What that means is the concrete has got lots of cracks in it and it allows storm rain event water to get in those cracks and holes, adding pressure to our sewerage treatment plant, but also increasing the flows through the sewerage network, resulting in overflows going into the Barron River and into the Great Barrier Reef ,” the officer said.
“Sealing off those faults, and bringing it back to a modern standard, is really important work because it protects the whole sewerage network.”
The works have been jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Guardian Councils Program and the Queensland Government’s 2024-27 Works for Queensland Program.
The sewer manholes are located within private and public property in Mareeba. The works have been carried out across three locations, along Peters Street to Atherton Street, Atherton Street to Granite Creek and the Mareeba West township area and were expected to be completed by this month.
The project was among “multiple capital projects” providing significant improvements to the region’s water and wastewater networks.
Mayor Angela Toppin said council continued to invest in essential infrastructure that supported community resilience, providing reliable drinking water and protection for the region’s waterways.
“The capital highlights report at (February’s) meeting presents key projects that will strengthen Mareeba Shire’s water and wastewater networks for decades to come,” she said.
The 2025-26 Watermain Replacement Program was another project that has drawn approval from state politicians.
Funded by the Commonwealth, through its Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative, and with State and council support, the project is replacing ageing asbestos-cement water mains across Mareeba, upgrading a clarifier and installing new PVC Supermain and Ductile Iron Concrete Lined pipework, along with upgraded valves, hydrants and service connections.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Mareeba Shire projects were a strong example of what long-term planning and partnership funding could achieve.
“By replacing ageing water mains and upgrading critical sewer infrastructure, council is strengthening reliability for local families while protecting the region’s waterways,” she said.
Member for Cook David Kempton said the significant investment in Mareeba’s water and wastewater network was timely.
“These critical projects will deliver long-overdue upgrades to Mareeba’s water and wastewater systems, ensuring the community has the capacity, reliability and resilience it needs now and into the future,” he said.
Recent progress in the water main project included the completion of works along Walsh Street between Rankin Street and Hort Street, upgrades along Mammino Street, and construction underway on Kenneally Road, with completion scheduled for late April.
Council also highlighted the Kenneally Road gravity sewer main upgrade aimed to address capacity limitations in the Kenneally Road and Constance Street sewer catchment – an area servicing 129 residential properties.
The project will replace 2.35km of gravity sewer main, beginning at an easement off Antonio Drive, running the full length of Constance Street, and connecting upstream of the Byrnes Street pump station.
