State Budget delivers funding boost for local water supplies

The Palaszczuk Government will support regional councils to improve water supply and security across the state by committing $70 million to a new round of Building our Regions funding in the State Budget.

Regional councils will be able to bid for $70 million in funding over three years to improve their water and sewerage systems through the sixth round of the Queensland Government’s highly successful Building our Regions program.

Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said the funding would complement the Queensland Government’s long-standing commitment to regional water security.

“This will build on a history of successful water supply improvements Building our Regions has already funded across our state since 2015, from Weipa to Warwick and from Toowoomba to the Tablelands,” Mr Butcher said.

“The $70 million we’ve committed will be available over the next three years, for councils to target water and sewerage system improvements.

“Since 2015 the Queensland Government has committed almost $1.9 billion to bulk water infrastructure like Rookwood Weir, Haughton Pipeline and the Mareeba-Dimbulah improvement project.

“But water security happens at a small scale too, in the water treatment plants, reservoirs and water and sewerage systems of our towns and cities.

“Building our Regions (Round 6) will deliver critical job-creating projects in regional communities that will improve water supply and security, improve liveability and economic conditions.

“With this funding we’re showing our commitment to supporting water security at every level of the water supply system.”

The Building our Regions program, which started in 2015, has provided improved local infrastructure across Queensland while supporting thousands of well-paid regional jobs.

“Building our Regions has a long and impressive history delivering infrastructure improvements, economic opportunities and jobs for our regional communities,” Mr Butcher said.

“The first five rounds of the program have seen over $348 million approved towards 271 projects across 67 councils.

“It’s also leveraged over $539 million in additional funding from other sources for a total capital expenditure of over $887 million, supporting more than 2700 construction jobs.

“My department is now working to establish the systems for this round of Building our Regions grants and prepare guidelines for applicants, which will be released soon.”

For more information on the next round of Building our Regions, visit rdmw.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Dan Lato 0438 891 158