Douglas water: Wonga Beach residents speak outater fail

Claims of “third world” service delivery has been levelled at a Far North council amid concern for the wellbeing of school children arriving to class in filthy clothes due ongoing water supply failures.

A burst water main near the Lombardi Bridge at Whyanbeel has been fixed. Picture: Douglas Shire Council

Claims of “third world” service delivery has been levelled at a Far North council amid concern for the wellbeing of school children arriving to class in filthy clothes due ongoing water supply failures.

Since a deluge that whipped the region in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, Douglas Shire Council water treatment infrastructure has been plagued with problems.

Rolling water stoppages have been impacting Wonga Beach residents since a five day service interruption beginning on December 14.

Another five day stoppage came on December 28 and taps that ran dry on February 24 and only came back on three days later.

A leak in the pipe network attached to the Whyanbeel water treatment plant. Picture: Douglas Shire Council

It’s claimed children attending Miallo State School and Wonga Beach State School are arriving to class in dirty clothes as a result of a lack of water to wash them in, and portaloos have only recently been installed after parents demanded something be done in regard to proper hygiene.

Wonga Beach resident Robyn Scoble said she was surprised the schools had not been closed and students given the option to study from home.

“These conditions are very unhealthy and run a risk of serious disease to both students, teachers and staff at these schools,” she said.

“I speak for the residents of the above areas in saying that we feel like we are living in a third world country.

Bottled water and non-potable water was delivered to the Wonga Beach Rural Fire Brigade. Picture: Douglas Shire Council

“This is Australia we are entitled to fresh clean drinking water.

“These councillors are all locals and I cannot understand why they are not trying harder to rectify this issue for the locals who they are there to serve.”

On February 22, Douglas Shire Council reported a “critical” water supply at the Whyanbeel reservoir that supplies the areas of Whyanbeel, Miallo, Rocky Point and Wonga Beach.

Residents were warned the supply would be lost completely if washing machines were used and showers went longer than two minutes. Two days later users were advised of no water due to a leak in the system.

Showers at the Wonga Beach Caravan Park were offered to residents. Picture: Douglas Shire Council

Water was restored to households connected to the Whyanbeel scheme last Wednesday.

But heavy rain late last week meant the Mossman and Whyanbeel water treatment plants again went offline on Thursday night and came back on the next day.

Ms Scoble said while residents had initially been patient but many had now had a gutful and wanted to know when they could expect a long-term fix.

“We are continuously being told that the water will be switched back on the next day but it never happens,” she said.

Douglas Shire Council has provided water after a three day outage of the Whyanbeel water treatment plant. Picture: Supplied

Mayor Michael Kerr said ageing infrastructure was not to blame and while he understood frustration, the scale of the disaster meant there was no easy fix.

While addressing claims of third world water and concerns about upcoming rates notices, Mr Kerr said federal and state treasury officials alongside specialists from the Department of Water, in consultation with Queensland Health were working on the issue.

“It’s insulting to third world countries that have severe issues, they’re all working as hard as they can but people underestimate the extreme amount of damage caused by this disaster,” he said.

“Councils don’t have an option, we have to send out rate notices and it broke my heart to send rates notices to people at Degarra who no longer have houses, but the legislation is black and white and we legally have to do it.”

The Department of Education stated bottled water for drinking and hand washing was provided, portaloos were cleaned daily and the school provided soap.

“The Department is undertaking urgent infrastructure upgrades to allow the toilets to function independently of any town water disruptions,” a spokesman said.

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Originally published as Douglas water: Wonga Beach residents speak outater fail