State Government delivers two important projects to Wujal Wujal

The remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal will benefit from two major new projects thanks to funding from the Queensland Government.

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today officially opened the new Wujal Wujal sewage treatment plant and Wujal Wujal sports field.

“The Wujal Wujal sewerage scheme is worth about $5.9 million – jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth governments – with Queensland providing $4.8 million,” Mr Pitt said.

“The new plant was funded under the Indigenous Environmental Health Infrastructure Program which is managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation.

“The project was completed and handed over to Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council in June 2007 and includes a tertiary standard sewage treatment plant and a reticulation system.

“The plant achieves an A-grade standard of waste water, which is recycled as irrigation to a council-managed tree farm and to the Bloomfield River.”

Mr Pitt said the project had provided training to six operators – including three from Wujal Wujal – who had been trained to Certificate II and III levels under the water industry operations course.

“This meets a requirement to provide community employment and training opportunities under the Indigenous Employment Policy,” he said.

Mr Pitt, representing Sport Minister Judy Spence, also opened the recently completed Wujal Wujal sports fields.

“The Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation funded the construction of two sports fields, one for rugby league and one for Aussie rules,” he said.

“We provided funding of $69,870, which represents 67 per cent of the total eligible cost, with the remainder funded by Cook Shire Council.

“The department also funded 67 per cent of the costs to employ a council sport and recreation officer for three years under the Indigenous Community Development Program.

“Total funding of $119,319 has been approved under this program for the three-year period.”

Mr Pitt said the funding for the sewage treatment plant and sports field would greatly benefit the community’s health and wellbeing, and represented value for money.

“Remote Indigenous communities often cannot afford important community infrastructure, which is why the State Government has stepped in to help out.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819