A high-level roundtable was held in Mount Isa on 31 July 2024, to examine ways to tackle the cost of providing drinking water to the North-West.
The roundtable, hosted by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, looked at water management and the existing water supply arrangements between Mount Isa, Cloncurry and North-West communities.
“When I met the new Mayor recently, I committed to organising a roundtable to bring together key stakeholders to look at ways we can work together to tackle water prices in Mount Isa and the North West,” Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said. “I’m open to considering ideas to further help residents with the cost of water.
Mount Isa Water Board (MIWB) supplies bulk water to industrial customers and drinking water to Mount Isa City Council and is the trustee for Lake Moondarra. Fifty per cent of dividends and tax equivalent payments from MIWB are returned to Mount Isa City Council each year. In 2022-23, the council received $2.8 million in dividends through this arrangement. Mount Isa’s drinking water primarily comes from Lake Moondarra, but when storage levels at Lake Moondarra are low, it can also be accessed from Lake Julius.
Mount Isa City Council, Cloncurry Shire Council, the Mount Isa Water Board, Sunwater and the Member for Traeger were invited to attend the roundtable.
The 2024-25 Queensland state budget included $7.9 million to improve Mount Isa Water Board’s water infrastructure, including electricity upgrades at Lake Julius and renewing the Fred Haigh Pump Station.
The State Government continues to support North-West Councils with water infrastructure, with $5 million provided through Building Our Regions for nine projects.
This includes Cloncurry Shire Council’s Electro Chlorination Project and planning work for Mount Isa City Council’s sewer system to the Ryan Road industrial area and the Camooweal Water Treatment Plant.
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