Council reveals million-dollar plan for water security across the Western Downs

The Western Downs Regional Council is set to allocate over $3m to ensure the drought declared region has water security.

WATER SECURITY: The Western Downs Regional Council is set to allocate over $3m to ensure the drought declared region has water security. Pic: Jack Simmons

Bolstering the water supply in the Western Downs and building drought resilience was a key focus of the Western Downs Regional Council’s 2021/2022 budget.

The Western Downs has been drought-declared since 2018, and water security has long been an issue with town water supplies running dangerously low over past years.

Western Downs councillor Peter Saxelby said an integral part of the budget was to ensure the long-term water security of the region by delivering both new and old projects.

“Ensuring our community continues to have safe, reliable access to water is a huge priority for council, and we continue to advocate for long-term domestic and industrial water supply for the region,” Mr Saxelby said.

WATER SECURITY: Councillor Peter Saxelby said an integral part of the budget was to assure long-term water security for the region by delivering new projects and renewing old. Pic: Supplied

“Council is playing its part in ensuring we’re meeting the demand of our growing economy, and this year we are kicking off a five-year strategy to bolster the Dalby town water supply.

“As part of this, $2.2m has been allocated to increase the capacity of our evaporative ponds, which is an integral part of the water treatment process in Dalby.

“We’re also continuing to ensure our residents are provided with modern infrastructure and quality essential services across the region, with $1.2m invested into this year’s water mains replacement program, $2.8m to improve sewer infrastructure, and $915,000 to enhance regional water treatment infrastructure.

“We’re also delivering an innovative project to improve community resilience during disasters by installing video monitoring capabilities at the Jandowae Dam.

“This will provide for more reliable monitoring of the spillway which can be accessed remotely.”

Mr Saxelby said the 2020 water tank subsidy scheme was delivering real outcomes for residents and that it would continue into the new financial year.

“The rainwater tank subsidy scheme offers generous incentives to people who install a tank on their property as part of a strategy to ease pressures on water storage and promote drought resilience,” he said.

“Since the scheme was introduced 12 months ago, council has approved a massive 160 tanks for residents, which has been a fantastic outcome for water conservation as well as local businesses through tank manufacturers.”