BLIGH GOVERNMENT SECURING TOWNSVILLE’S WATER FUTURE

Water Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace today opened a new multi-million dollar wastewater treatment facility in Townsville.

The Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility is a $65 million investment in ensuring Townsville City discharges better quality wastewater into the environment, and produces recycled water which may be used for future industrial and commercial purposes.

"The Bligh Government is securing Queensland’s future by planning for and managing growth in North Queensland," Mr Wallace said.

"The Queensland Government is proud to have contributed $21.2 million towards this new treatment plant for the Townsville community," Mr Wallace said.

"I am advised this facility has the capacity to process 29 million litres of wastewater every day, with around 23 million litres being produced at present,’’ Mr Wallace said.

"It converts wastewater into high quality recycled water which may one day be used by industries across the region.

"This treatment plant will eventually cut Townsville’s use of precious drinking water by about 15 per cent every day, saving potable water for domestic purposes."

Mr Wallace said an important outcome was the significant reduction in nutrient discharge from treated wastewater going into the ocean.

"This plant has reduced the amount of nutrient discharge into the environment by around 140 tonnes per annum. The amount of nitrogen discharge has been reduced from 138 tonnes a year to 30 tonnes, and the amount of phosphorus has been slashed from 43 tonnes to just eight tonnes,’’ he said.

"We all know that this nutrient load impacted on the marine ecology of the area, including the Great Barrier Reef so this is a fantastic outcome for the reef and its marine life.’’

The Minister said the State Government recently passed the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act which will further secure the State’s water future by creating new statewide regulatory frameworks for recycled water and drinking water quality.

"Importantly, the recycled water and drinking water regulatory frameworks within the Act further protect public health now and in the future,’’ he said.

Media contact: Clare Gillic, Minister Wallace's office, 3896 3688 or 0404 133 242.