New water reservoir up and running in Kuranda

More than $772,000 of Queensland Government funding has flowed through for the people of Kuranda to access a more reliable supply of clean drinking water.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the new reservoir would be a great asset to the local community.

“The Queensland Government has invested more than $772,000 to build an additional one-megalitre reservoir to ensure Kuranda residents and tourists have access to an adequate supply of drinking water,” Dr Lynham said.

“The Mareeba Shire Council also invested $257,500 towards the reservoir and this project was a great opportunity for State and local government to work together and provide vital facilities for the Kuranda community.”

Mareeba Mayor Tom Gilmore said the Queensland Government’s significant financial assistance enabled the construction of a new one-megalitre drinking water reservoir on Myola Road.

"Mareeba Shire Council would like to extend our thanks to the Queensland Department of State Development for providing $772,500 towards a total project cost of $1.03 million,” Mayor Gilmore said.

"This project has delivered security of water supply to 60 per cent of Kuranda's population along with the visiting international and domestic tourists presently serviced by the Myola Road Reservoir, where there was previously a shortfall.

"During construction of the reservoir 24 full time equivalent positions were directly employed. The new secure water supply is expected to help maintain some 370 full time equivalent positions in the tourist based economy of the Kuranda Village.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the Kuranda community needed access to substantially more drinking water as the existing facility only had capacity to hold 923 kilolitres of safe water, a capacity shortfall of more than 50 per cent.

“The new reservoir will provide residents, businesses, emergency services and the more than one million tourists visiting Kuranda each year with a reliable supply of safe drinking water,” Mr Crawford said.

“The opening of this new facility highlights the Queensland Government’s commitment to growing and investing in critical infrastructure services in regional areas.

“Earlier this year the Palaszczuk Government announced the $200 million Building our Regions program aimed at creating jobs and supporting economic development in regional communities.”

Dr Lynham said that he expected successful projects from the Building our Regions program to be announced later this year.

For more information on the Building our Regions program visit: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/buildingourregions

[ENDS]                       29 October 2015

Media Contact:          Jan Martin 0439 341 314