Tablelands council secures funding for key water supply project

Tablelands Regional Council has secured $295,000 funding under the Newman Government’s Royalties for the Regions program.

Deputy Premier and Minster for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said Tablelands Regional Council would receive the money to fund a key water supply project.

Mr Seeney said mining at Mungana, located about 15 kilometres from Chillagoe, and the establishment of a 250-person accommodation camp had placed increased demand on the town’s water supply bores.

“The Mungana mining company has required up to an additional 42 kilolitres of groundwater per day, an increase of 20 per cent above normal usage,” he said.

“Due to the low annual rainfall at Chillagoe, surface water collection for a raw water supply is not feasible and importing potable water would be expensive.

“By constructing a water treatment plant in Chillagoe, Tablelands Regional Council will be able to deliver a reliable and cost effective water supply for the community and industry into the future”.

Tablelands Regional Council will now have to submit a detailed business case for the project to have the funding confirmed by the end of the year.

Royalties for the Regions will invest $495 million over the four years to 2015-16 in critical regional community infrastructure, roads and flood mitigation projects. This program has ensured that, for the first time, a share of the royalties generated in regional areas is given back to communities in those areas to mitigate impacts and improve services.

[ENDS] 22 October 2013

Media Contact: John Wiseman 0409 791 281 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744