The Southern Downs region’s sewer network is receiving a $2.49 million shot in the arm to rescue it from its teetering position on what has been described as an ageing infrastructure cliff.
Warwick and Stanthorpe will be the main beneficiaries of the project, which combines a $1.04 million investment from the Southern Downs Regional Council with $1.45 million from the Queensland Government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.
SDRC Mayor, Councillor Vic Pennisi, said the council needed $30 million in the short-term to address the problem of ageing infrastructure.
“Our region is on the edge of an ageing infrastructure cliff,” he said.
“Going forward, council’s focus has shifted to pursue grant funding opportunities that upgrade our ageing infrastructure rather than applying for projects for new infrastructure.”
Already completed are the relining of 1km of sewer mains and nearly 11km of cleaning and CCTV installation to sewer mains.
Another $1.24 million has been secured from the Queensland Government to install emergency storage tanks, pumps, overflow meters, telemetry and alarms at three Stanthorpe pump stations and to refurbish the access platform at the Condamine Street Pump Station in Warwick.
The project, which is expected to be completed by June next year, is aimed at minimising accidental sewer overflows during power failures and wet weather events so the council can meet the strict requirements of the Department of Environment and Sustainability. Failure to meet the legislative and compliance requirements can result in hefty fines from the Department.
