Ilfracombe pumping for greater water security

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has inspected work on the construction of new infrastructure that will improve water security for the western Queensland township of Ilfracombe.

The $620,000 Ilfracombe Bore Water Supply Project is being largely funded through the Palaszczuk Government’s $375 million Building our Regions program, which supports targeted infrastructure projects across regional Queensland.

“For towns like Ilfracombe, an issue like water security can literally be a matter of survival,” the Premier said.

“Prolonged drought means residents and businesses can no longer rely on surface water from dams as they once did.

“The existing bore is not up to the job of supporting Ilfracombe into the future, which it is so important that this project has secured $500,000 in funding through the Building Our Regions program.

“That funding also makes allowances for future development, including greater demand and the possibility of a geothermal power generator being incorporated with the bore at a later date.”

Minister for Agriculture Mark Furner said construction of the new bore was especially timely given the resurgence in the sheep sector in Western Queensland.

“Ilfracombe sits in the heart of Western Queensland’s traditional grazing country,” said Mr Furner.

“Every week we see more evidence of the profound impact that the Palaszczuk Government’s cluster fence program is having on the sheep industry, providing graziers with an effective means to keep wild dogs away from their flocks.

“More sheep in the region sees more jobs like shearing drawn to towns, so the issue of water security is more important than ever.”

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the Ilfracombe Bore Water Supply Project was a great example of how local councils and the state government are achieving so much more by working together.

“Longreach regional Council has contributed nearly $120,000 towards construction of the new bore, but just as importantly they have provided the local expertise on how this infrastructure should be delivered,” Mr Dick said.

“Between them, the projects under the Building our Regions program are delivering from communities from the Cape to the South Australia border, and supporting more than 1,760 jobs in Queensland.”

Construction of the new Ilfracombe bore is due to be completed around the middle of this year.

Media Contact:

Premier's Office:               Geoff Breusch   0417 272 875

Minister Dick's Office:        Anika Hume     0447 320 039

Minister Furner's Office:    Brock Taylor    0427 018 178