Published Thursday, 26 June, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Fraser Coast recycled water scheme gets first subsidy instalment
The Queensland Government has handed over the first instalment of its $3.3 million funding commitment for a recycled water project in Hervey Bay that will help establish a new hardwood plantation.
Treasurer and acting Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the Vanderwolf Road Farm Recycled Water Project, being undertaken by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, would increase the use of recycled wastewater.
“This important project will increase the volume of wastewater that can be re-used for irrigation on council-owned hardwood plantations,” Mr Fraser said.
“Using treated effluent to irrigate hardwood plantations is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than upgrading the treatment plants to allow discharge to the ocean.
“As an added bonus, the subsequent timber harvests will provide the council with an ongoing income to partially offset the irrigation and treatment costs.
“I’m very pleased to announce that the State Government has paid $637,871 to the Fraser Coast Regional Council this month as the first instalment of our funding commitment to this project.
“In total, the State Government will pay $3,336,807 to the council, or almost 50 per cent of the total project cost of $6.8 million, under our Water and Sewerage Program.”
Member for Hervey Bay and Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said significant population growth in recent years had left the region facing a host of challenges, including how to deal with wastewater discharge.
“This key project, which includes the purchase of 135 hectares of land for a hardwood plantation, is great news for the community and will significantly reduce the volume of wastewater being discharged to the natural environment,” Mr McNamara said.
“The areas unsuitable for hardwood trees will be used to trial a built wetlands area to improve irrigation water quality.
“The project also includes construction of a main pipeline to the farm from the existing re-use main at Booral Road, and the construction of a 500-megalitre on-site storage dam.”
Mr Fraser said the Water and Sewerage Program provided local governments with subsidies of up to 50 per cent of the cost of essential water and sewerage infrastructure.
Mr Fraser and Mr McNamara will be in Hervey Bay and Maryborough at the weekend with the Premier, the rest of her Cabinet and the State's senior public servants for the Bligh Government's seventh Community Cabinet in the past nine months.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Treasurer and acting Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the Vanderwolf Road Farm Recycled Water Project, being undertaken by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, would increase the use of recycled wastewater.
“This important project will increase the volume of wastewater that can be re-used for irrigation on council-owned hardwood plantations,” Mr Fraser said.
“Using treated effluent to irrigate hardwood plantations is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than upgrading the treatment plants to allow discharge to the ocean.
“As an added bonus, the subsequent timber harvests will provide the council with an ongoing income to partially offset the irrigation and treatment costs.
“I’m very pleased to announce that the State Government has paid $637,871 to the Fraser Coast Regional Council this month as the first instalment of our funding commitment to this project.
“In total, the State Government will pay $3,336,807 to the council, or almost 50 per cent of the total project cost of $6.8 million, under our Water and Sewerage Program.”
Member for Hervey Bay and Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said significant population growth in recent years had left the region facing a host of challenges, including how to deal with wastewater discharge.
“This key project, which includes the purchase of 135 hectares of land for a hardwood plantation, is great news for the community and will significantly reduce the volume of wastewater being discharged to the natural environment,” Mr McNamara said.
“The areas unsuitable for hardwood trees will be used to trial a built wetlands area to improve irrigation water quality.
“The project also includes construction of a main pipeline to the farm from the existing re-use main at Booral Road, and the construction of a 500-megalitre on-site storage dam.”
Mr Fraser said the Water and Sewerage Program provided local governments with subsidies of up to 50 per cent of the cost of essential water and sewerage infrastructure.
Mr Fraser and Mr McNamara will be in Hervey Bay and Maryborough at the weekend with the Premier, the rest of her Cabinet and the State's senior public servants for the Bligh Government's seventh Community Cabinet in the past nine months.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819