By Jeremy Cook
Approximately 80 kilometres worth of sewer mains are set to be cleaned and a further 18 kilometres relined across the Southern Downs in a multimillion dollar revamp of the region’s aging sewer network.
Once cleaned, sewer mains will be inspected for damage with work to reline sewer pipes to take place in Warwick and Stanthorpe. Rehabilitation work to more than 70 sewer manholes has also been scheduled for the coming months.
The Southern Downs council has stumped up a little more than $1 million for the project with a further $2.69 million in Queensland government grant funding to also be spent.
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton said works were part of an ongoing commitment to provide “essential” infrastructure upgrades for the community.
“We have a realistic and balanced program to rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure in the coming years so that we can continue providing a safe and reliable service to the community,” Cr Hamilton said.
“While addressing aging infrastructure presents challenges within tight budgets, funding from the Queensland Government has gone a long way towards easing the financial burden on ratepayers,” she said.
“We still have a lot more work to do, but upgrading our essential infrastructure remains a priority for council.”
According to the council, previous sewer cleaning and relining projects have reduced the number of blockages and pump station overloads during wet weather events.
