Here come the waterworks: Queensland government makes major call on Cairns water crisis
The Queensland government has made a major announcement regarding Cairns’ $472m water security project.
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The Queensland government has taken a glass half full approach to Cairns’ water security crisis, announcing they’ll tip in $87.5m at Tuesday night’s budget to help kickstart the critical $472m project.
But ratepayers could be forgiven for feeling a little dry in the mouth, with a major rate rise from Cairns Regional Council now seemingly inevitable without extra funding from the federal government.
And the recent silence from the Commonwealth has prompted Cairns MP Michael Healy to call on his federal counterparts to “step up” and deliver.
The Cairns Water Security Stage 1 Project is desperately needed to keep taps running across the city, with the state and federal governments committing to pump in $215m into the project just two years ago.
But since then, a major blow out on the $248m scheme has seen costs rise by almost a quarter of a billion dollars, with proponents blaming inflation.
After being left empty-handed following the federal government budget announcement last month, council had publicly lobbied for a major cash splash from Premier Steven Miles.
Instead, they’ve been left with a modest investment that’s far from the torrent that had been campaigned for by Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and councillors in recent months.
In announcing the funding, the Premier said the new funds took the Queensland government’s total contribution to $195m with construction expected to start this August.
“I am doing what matters for Queenslanders, which means delivering water security
for the great people of Cairns,” Mr Miles said.
“They’ve said that water security is a priority for Cairns and so I am delivering it.”
With Cairns residents still potentially facing a major water levy, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the state government was doing all it could to work with the council and ease the pressure on cost of living.
“Water security will future proof Cairns,” he said.
“This announcement will secure the water needs for the future growth of our city and region.
“We’ve always backed the importance of this project. Cairns residents and local
industries need water security.
“Our Labor government has come through with this funding and now we need the
Commonwealth to step up.”
As part of the project – which is expected to be completed by 2026 – the council will gain access to “new water” from the Mulgrave River, with improved treatment processes increasing the volumes sourced from Behana Creek.
A new water treatment plant being built at Gordonvale will replace the old plant at Behana.
In a statement, Ms Eden said the increased investment was welcome, with the city’s population expected to grow substantially by 2050.
“Cairns and the surrounding region is a beautiful part of the world and we understand
why people are moving here to make their home,” Ms Eden said.
“In addition, we have a high tourism population adding more pressure to the water
system.
“We know that every drop counts especially when every drop is underpinned by
significant capital investment.”
The project is expected to support more than 1600 jobs.
Had the state government contributed nothing, ratepayers would have been slugged an extra $488 per year over 15 years.
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Originally published as Here come the waterworks: Queensland government makes major call on Cairns water crisis
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