New $46.88 million Water Treatment Plant for Ayr

• Funding for new Ayr Water Treatment Plant Stage 1
• Long-term water security for Burdekin residents
• Construction set to begin later this year

The Palaszczuk Government is supporting water security in the Burdekin with a $46.88 million package to support the Burdekin Shire Council for Stage 1 of a new Water Treatment Plant in Ayr.

This funding package also provides support for costs associated with refurbishing South Ayr bores to supplement current drinking water supplies and is part of an ongoing management plan following detections of PFAS in the groundwater.

Stage 1 of the new water treatment plant includes iron and manganese pre-treatment, dual media filtration (coal on sand), disinfection, solids handling, chemical storage and dosing.

Construction of the water treatment plant is set to begin later this year and be commissioned and supplying drinking water by 2026.

In addition, funding for ongoing technical support, and groundwater monitoring and modelling of the Ayr aquifer will also be provided.

PFAS was first detected in the local groundwater in 2018 and Burdekin Shire Council took immediate action to establish new bores for the town’s water supply. 

To support safe and reliable drinking water, the Palaszczuk Government has previously provided $12 million funding to Burdekin Shire Council for water supply infrastructure upgrades.

These works, which were completed in 2022, included a 10 megalitre South Ayr Reservoir, installation of new bores and associated pumps, chlorination and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection equipment and connecting water mains, and the design of the South Ayr Water Treatment Plant.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is supporting the Burdekin Shire Council in the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to the community now and into the future.

“Everyone knows the Burdekin is built on liquid gold, and this investment sets the community and council on a path for safe, clean and healthy water for decades to come.”

 Quotes attributable to Burdekin Shire Council Mayor, Lyn McLaughlin:

“Council is delighted and welcomes the State Government’s announcement of financial support to deliver Stage 1 of a new water treatment plant. This project will ensure a safe, reliable source of drinking water for residents in the Ayr, Brandon and Alva communities.

“I would like to thank the State Government for their support and collaboration to provide essential infrastructure to the Burdekin Community which will also improve water security. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this project for our region.”

ENDS

Media contact: Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004