Grant has water flowing at Fitzgibbon Chase

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe has welcomed a huge $7.13 million Federal Government grant to boost environmental initiatives in Brisbane’s north.

The Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong announced the massive investment on site visit at the Fitzgibbon Chase UDA today.

The grant will be used to fund two water recycling projects:

• The Fitzgibbon Stormwater Harvesting Project, which will supply around 89 million litres of treated stormwater for parks and gardens, toilet flushing and car washing. The scheme will divert captured stormwater to a lake, where it will later be treated and distributed throughout Fitzgibbon Chase.

• Fitzgibbon Potable Roofwater Project, will harvest rainwater from 1,230 homes in the new development for collection in communal tanks. This project is jointly funded by the Japanese Government and will enable rainwater to be treated for non-drinking uses, producing about 44 million litres of new water supplies.

“These exciting projects will provide the residential development with approximately 133 million litres of new water supplies,” said Mr Hinchliffe.

“That’s roughly the equivalent of 53 Olympic-sized swimming pools.”

Senator Wong recognised the enormous pressure climate change and drought has placed on drinking water supplies, particularly in South East Queensland.

“The Federal Government is committed to helping Australia’s towns and cities to secure their water supplies for the future.” Ms Wong said

Member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath said projects like these are the way of the future for sustainable living and build on the wide range of sustainable initiatives being implemented at Fitzgibbon Chase.

“Residents are now moving in and the water recycling projects will potentially supply 84 per cent of the development’s non-drinking water needs through recycling stormwater,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The environmental initiatives in place at Fitzgibbon Chase mean people buying in the development can be assured that the home they are purchasing meets a significant range of environment standards.”

CEO of the ULDA Paul Eagles also welcomed the funding boost and said it would help the organisation deliver on its sustainable housing objectives.

“The ULDA is committed to the long-term success of these projects, contributing financially and providing the expertise of its project management and planning staff, utilising their vast experience from the development and environmental planning fields,” he said.

Fitzgibbon Chase is part of the wider Fitzgibbon Urban Development Area (UDA).

Once completed, the entire Fitzgibbon Chase development will contain up to 1,700 homes in a range of styles to suit all household types, as well as parks and a 40-hectare piece of bushland.

The development sits on a 114 hectare site, 50 per cent of which will remain green space to preserve the natural fauna and flora.

Of the dwellings being constructed in Fitzgibbon, 66 per cent will be sold at or below the median house price for Brisbane.

The ULDA was established by the Queensland Government to help make housing more affordable and deliver housing options for the changing needs of the community. Its role is to plan, instigate and co-ordinate the development of land in selected urban areas.

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