‘15 years to get to this’: Why new Emu Park West Reservoir project ‘must be done’

It’s a scary scenario - the entire Capricorn Coast communities of Emu Park, Zilzie and Keppel Sands are at risk of losing water supply during periods of high demand. So what is going to be done about it? Full details here.

Water supply at the ever-growing Capricorn Coast is a big issue. Generic image.

Livingstone Shire councillors have been forced to make a pressure decision in order to sure-up water supply to the entire communities of Emu Park, Zilzie and Keppel Sands.

Before councillors voted on a course of action at a recent meeting, Mayor Andy Ireland made it clear what was at stake.

“Ultimately, if you don’t approve this (recommendation) today, you have a project that will be unfinished, that will not be able to progress,” Cr Ireland told his fellow councillors in reference to the Emu Park West Reservoir project.

“And that jeopardises the water supply for the southern part of the Coast.

“That’s an untenable situation, councillors, I would suggest.”

Mayor Andy Ireland.

The Emu Park West Reservoir project involves the design and construction of a four megalitre reinforced concrete water reservoir, to tie into the existing potable water main which services the Emu Park West area.

The reservoir would provide additional capacity and reliability within the Emu Park water supply network to accommodate future population growth.

Councillors were told that without it, the current limited storage in the Emu Park water supply network meant the entire Emu Park, Zilzie and Keppel Sands communities were vulnerable to losing supply during periods of high demand.

Council’s officers tabled a report seeking a green light for council to increase its budget allocation for the Emu Park West Reservoir project in order to award a contract to the preferred tenderer, and deliver the project.

But that would obviously come at a cost.

Officers sought approval for the council to increase its total budget allocations in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years for the Emu Park West Reservoir project, from $2.5 million to $3.102 million, among other recommendations.

Before Cr Ireland made his comments to councillors, there was lengthy discussion and debate from around the table.

Crs Pat Eastwood and Glenda Mather said that “water is life and not negotiable”.

Councillor Andrea Friend.

Cr Nigel Hutton said the project was “a necessity” and Cr Andrea Friend said it “must be done”.

“Local councils the world over have an obligation to make sure that their residents have basic needs, and their needs are catered for - potable water, sewerage networks and recoverables,” Cr Friend said.

“Reliable networks are the basis for a safe and content community.

“We cannot have Emu Park, Zilzie and Keppel Sands communities vulnerable to losing supply in high demand peak periods, especially in the summer months when bushfires are most rampant.

“It is my opinion, and the opinion of the council officers here today, that we do our very best to guarantee the completion of this project, that we are legislatively bound to maintain these water supplies under the Drinking Water Safety and Reliability Act 2008.

“We’ve waited 15 years already...This came up in 2007. So I urge councillors today at this table, not to delay any further.

“It’s already taken 15 years to get to this stage, so that our residents can rely on good, clean, potable water, safe drinking water, and water in case there are bushfires.

“I commend this to the table and it must be done - we cannot put it off.”

Councillors voted unanimously to support the recommendation from officers.