Cairns water project to start despite funding shortfall with Mayor to lobby for cash splash from Canberra

Tapping into more government funding will be critical to easing Cairns’ water woes as the city’s council prepares to start work on the largest infrastructure project in its history.

Member for Barron River, Craig Crawford, Member for Cairns, Michael Healy, Cairns Mayor, Amy Eden and Water Minister, Glenn Butcher at the Freshwater Treatment Plant on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Picture: Samuel Davis

Tapping into more government funding will be critical to easing Cairns’ water woes as the city’s council prepares to start work on the largest infrastructure project in its history.

The first stage of the $472m Water Security Project will begin in August with Cairns Mayor Amy Eden eager to lobby for more money from the state and federal government over the coming months.

Increased cash flowing into Cairns Regional Council’s coffers would significantly reduce the burden on ratepayers with cost of living pressures still hurting residents, Ms Eden said while also upgrading the council’s ageing infrastructure.

“This project is not a ‘nice to have’, it’s a ‘must have’,” she said.

“The Freshwater Treatment Plant was established in 1979 and it was upgraded in 1988.

“In that time, our city has had huge growth and we need to ensure (we have) water security.

“We’re confident the federal government will come to the party which will see a cost-of-living relief of $403 (per year) over 15 years for our ratepayers.”

Copperlode Falls Dam and water intake, on the edge of Lake Morris, the main drinking supply for Cairns and surrounds. Lake Morris is nestled in the base of the Lamb Range. Picture: Brendan Radke

Water Minister Glenn Butcher joined Ms Eden in calling on the Federal government to match the state’s funding commitment so far.

“I was a little disappointed when the federal government handed down their budget and the Cairns Water Security Project wasn’t in that funding,” Mr Butcher said.

“We want to make sure that the feds continue to support this project.”

The Water Minister wouldn’t be drawn on whether the state would provide an additional $20m to meet the Mayor’s initial request for $107.5m to advance the project.

“We’ll continue to work with the council but I think all three levels of government need to be part of this project,” Mr Butcher said.

The Copperlode Dam, also known as Lake Morris, is the Cairns' main water supply, spilling over into Freshwater Creek in the Redlynch Valley. Picture: Brendan Radke

Work on the new Draper Rd Water Treatment Plant will begin before the wet season, Ms Eden said.

“It’s a really important step in water security but also ensuring the prosperity of our Cairns community,” she said.

Ms Eden will travel to Canberra next week to lobby the Federal Government for more water funding.

The Far North experienced significant pressure on its water infrastructure during Tropical Cylcone Jasper and flooding in its immediate aftermath.

Originally published as Cairns water project to start despite funding shortfall with Mayor to lobby for cash splash from Canberra