Mareeba gets essential water infrastructure

Additional funding for Mareeba Shire Council has allowed for the completion of the raw water pump station and filtration system at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant. This project, which follows funding from the Building Our Regions Program and local government grants and subsidies, will ensure reliable and safe drinking water.

The Filtration System Project included replacing the outdated system by building a new six-cell filter block to reduce water loss, improve climate change resilience and ensure the provision of reliable and safe drinking water to the community now and into the future.

Queensland Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said, “The Queensland State Government is proud to work with councils like Mareeba to deliver essential drinking water and water treatment infrastructure for regional Queenslanders.

“Mareeba is a growing community highlighting the importance of the Queensland Government working with councils to deliver the necessary core infrastructure. This helps the Council’s bottom line and puts downward pressure on rates and charges.

The project began in October 2022 after Mareeba Shire Council received $2 million in funding from the State Government’s Building Our Regions program to construct new filters and a further $475,524 through the Queensland Government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies program to upgrade the raw water pump station.

This builds on the $7.3 million investment in the Mareeba Regional Water Security project through the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER).

Mareeba Shire Council Mayor, Angela Toppin, said, “Council has been investing in and advocating for water security in our Shire for many years. I am delighted that we have completed these critical projects at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant.

“The Raw Water Pump Station Project includes a new electrical control station built above the one-in-100-year flood level and new immersible pumps. Relocating the electrical station to higher ground has addressed this potential hazard.

“We are pleased to receive this vital funding, which, combined with our investment, will ensure we deliver a safe, secure, and reliable water supply for our residents and industry well into the future.”

The project will reduce water loss and improve water security for the community and industry by upgrading the Mareeba water treatment plant clarifier system and replacing old water mains. The upgrades will also enhance the quality of water in the Barron River and the surrounding environment.

The Queensland Government has invested $417 million in 370 Building Our Regions projects across Queensland, supporting over 3,000 construction jobs. This is in addition to funding and supporting critical council water projects, including the Cairns Water Security project, the Mount Morgan Pipeline, and the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline.

To date, Mareeba Shire Council has received more than $7.5 million in funding for infrastructure projects through the Building Our Regions program.

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