‘Part of our history’ councillor’s plans for pumping station

The councillor shared his thoughts on preserving the above-ground pumping station, which is in the middle of a $1.4m upgrade to move it underground after complaints of a foul smell.

Gympie council sewer pump Nelson Reserve

A local councillor wants to keep an old sewage pumping station’s shell as a testimony to the town’s history.

Councillor Dan Stewart said the above-ground exterior shell at the Nelson Reserve should stay, as the functional part of the station is in the process of being moved underground.

“I’d be happy to consult with other councillors to see what they think and if they think at least one of those above ground tanks be preserved,” Mr Stewart said.

The pump is under construction as part of a $1.4m project to move it underground, after complaints of a foul smell coming from the station.

Mr Stewart sparked the conversation on a Facebook post about the loss of the station, where he expressed his hopes to preserve the artistically painted shell.

“It would be good to keep one,” he wrote.

“I shall see what other councillors think.”

Locals also expressed their dismay at the loss of the station, with one person commenting “another icon bites the dust in the name of progress”.

Mr Stewart said he plans to discuss the matter with fellow councillors when they meet on Wednesday.

There are no plans to upgrade a second pumping station near Gympie Central Shopping Centre.