Water infrastructure remains a budget priority

Detailed planning and approval work associated with the new Sarina Wastewater Treatment Plant will be among the key projects to be funded as part of a $51 million water and wastewater infrastructure program in the 2011-12 council budget.

Mayor Col Meng said council had a responsibility to continue its investment in critical infrastructure to meet the expected growth.

“All indications are that we will have 200,000 people residing in our region within 20 years, so we need to invest in sewerage pump stations and treatment plants, “he said.

Without state government subsidies council has to fund the projects via ratepayers and loans.

Water and Wastewater portfolio councillor Deirdre Comerford said in a tight budget it was imperative to maintain a strong commitment towards critical infrastructure.

“Planning and delivering water and wastewater projects is fundamental to cementing the region’s prosperity,” she said.

Council will invest a further $2.5 million to address water pressure issues in the Mirani area, following the previous year’s funding of $2.3 million to address the issue in Marian. The work involves upgrading existing water mains, the construction of two new booster pump stations and installation of new trunk water mains.

“Much of our aging infrastructure is nearing the end of its shelf life and we need to adequately fund a replacement program to avoid future problems.”

Projects for 2011-12 include:

• $15 million to upgrade 23 pump stations in the region
• $4 million upgrade existing water mains
• $3.4 million for Sarina Wastewater Treatment plant (finalise plans and approvals)
• $2.5 million for upgrade to Mirani Wastewater Treatment plant
• $1.8 million upgrade water reservoirs

With a rapidly growing region, council faces the enormous challenge of managing and delivering the required infrastructure to meet demand and create further opportunities.

Cr Comerford said council had invested over $100 million in water projects over the past two years and would need to maintain such expenditure to cater for the forecast residential and industrial growth.

Council has promised a rate increase well under five per cent to ease cost of living pressures on local households. The budget will be handed down on Wednesday June 29.

Contact: Mackay Regional Council

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)