Fitzroy River Water (FRW) has received two government grants totalling $2.8 million to complete an upgrade of the Glenmore High Lift Water Pump Station to improve its energy efficiency and capacity to meet future demand.
Council’s Water Committee Chair, Councillor Greg Belz said the cash injection of $2.8 million will fund the upgrade of a vital asset to ensure it continues to operate efficiently and reliably.
“The electrical and mechanical upgrades to the Glenmore High Lift Water Pump Station will take place over a two year period and will reduce the pump station’s carbon footprint,” Cr Belz said.
The tender for Stage 1 of the two-stage project was recently awarded to Aquatec Maxcon Pty Ltd at a total cost of over $4.4 million.
It is estimated that Stage 2 will cost approximately $3.5 million, bringing the total project cost to almost $8 million.
Cr Belz said the support from both the Australian and Queensland Governments is phenomenal.
“We are extremely proud of our success in applying for a $2 million grant from the Australian Government through Round Two of the Community Energy Efficiency Program,” Cr Belz said.
The Community Energy Efficiency Program is providing $112 million in grant funding to 170 local Government and non-profit organisations across Australia for energy efficiency upgrades.
“In addition, $800,000 has also recently been awarded to FRW under the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program run by the Queensland Government.
“The total boost of $2.8 million will go a long way to ensuring the completion of the project.
This upgrade will enable the Pump Station to meet the demand for increased pumping capacity for the next 20 years,” he said.
The Glenmore High Lift Water Pump Station is used to pump water from the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant into the distribution system to supply drinking water to the communities of Rockhampton, Gracemere, The Caves, Nerimbera and the Capricorn Coast.
