New water treatment plant for growing Canungra

Construction on a new water treatment plant at Canungra is set to start this month which will more than triple the available drinking water for the local area.

The existing plant, which was built in 1970 and upgraded in 1982, will be progressively decommissioned and replaced with a new $4 million plant.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey said the new plant would cater for future increased water demand for a growing Canungra community.

Mr Bailey said the need for the new plant had been identified as part of South East Queensland’s 30 year water plan being developed by Seqwater.

“The new plant is required as some of the structural components of the existing plant are nearing the end of their service life and need to be removed and replaced,” Mr Bailey said.

“The current plant produces 0.4 megalitres of treated drinking water each day, but the new plant will have almost four times the production capacity, with the ability to treat 1.5 megalitres each day.

“The current population is expected to grow to 3000 over the next 20 years, so building the new plant is essential to support this community and local businesses into the future.

“Construction is expected to take up to 12 months and will involve the progressive decommissioning and removal of existing structural components of the plant as well as the installation of new plant infrastructure.

“It’s estimated the equivalent of 12 full time jobs will be supported over the life of construction, in addition to the future benefits of a more secure supply of water for the area.

“This investment is part of our commitment to sustaining our State’s assets including water utilities owned and operated by Seqwater, which remains a Government Owned Corporation under the Palaszczuk Government.”

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Peter Dennis said the existing plant would continue supplying drinking water to the Canungra community throughout construction.

“This will be the first new water treatment plant constructed by the new Seqwater, since its establishment in January 2013,” Mr Dennis said. “Getting our long term water planning right is essential to support the health and well-being of our communities as well as the economic prosperity of our industries and businesses. This new plant will meet the needs of Canungra for the next 20 years and well beyond.’’

Media Contact:          Anna Jabour 0429 890 942

Canungra Water Treatment Plant:

• Water source: Canungra Creek via Lamington National Park catchment.
• Service area: Township of Canungra (about 746 people) and Maurita Crescent.
• Projected growth: According to Scenic Rim Regional Council’s 2013 Land Use Plan for Canungra, over the next twenty years Canungra’s population is expected to grow from 746 to 3000 people.
• Bulk water supply: Canungra Water Treatment Plant is a stand-alone water supply system providing water to the township of Canungra and Maurita Crescent. The network also includes several QUU–owned reservoirs located at Appel Street and Maurita Crescent.