$48 million for Cairns water infrastructure: Fraser

December 21 2006

$48 million for Cairns water infrastructure: Fraser

The Beattie Government has delivered on its commitment to increase the levels of wastewater used in Queensland while at the same time protecting our precious coastline - providing $48 million for water recycling and reuse infrastructure in the Cairns region.

Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser today approved an additional $15 million for upgrades to the area’s four major water treatments plants, taking the government’s total commitment to $48,124,000.

Mr Fraser said the additional funding would increase the capacity and treatment of wastewater at the Edmonton, Southern, Northern and Marlin Coast Wastewater Treatment Plants.

He said the funding will also enable the council to meet the critical issue of complying with standards outlined in the Queensland Government’s Coastal Management Plan.

“Upgrades to the plants were initially approved in 2005, but rising construction costs have increased the estimated cost from more than $82 million to $120 million,” Mr Fraser said.

“The funding will be used to replace outdated trickling filtering systems with new sludge separation mechanisms and membrane filtration systems at the Northern and MarlinCoast plants, enabling removal of more nutrients from the effluent.”

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said the Southern and Edmonton projects will focus primarily on refurbishing existing technologies, including the grit removal system and pipework, to maximise their output.

“New aeration technology at the Southern plants will also improve the quality of recycled wastewater,” Mr Wettenhall said.

“The projects will significantly reduce potential damage to the environment and local waterways while increasing the capacity of the treatment plants from a combined 37.85 to 53.5 mega litres a day – or more than 40%.

“The treated wastewater will also be of high enough quality that it can be reused for irrigation of local grain crops and pastures.

“I congratulate council for taking this step towards a sustainable solution for the treatment and reuse of wastewater.”

The projects are funded under the government’s Water and Sewerage Program, which provides assistance to local governments for water and sewerage infrastructure.

Media Contact Selina Steele 3224 6509 or 0417 752 833