General News
5 July, 2024
Mayor’s Canberra pitch
CAIRNS Mayor Amy Eden has been in Canberra this week to advocate for further support for the region.
Cr Eden met several senators, ministers, and other parliamentarians to discuss a number of subjects, with a focus on water security and securing increased federal government support for Cairns Water Security Stage 1 (CWSS1).
This follows the Queensland Government’s recent state budget pledge to increase funding towards the CWSS1 by $87.5 million, to a total of $195m and complements the $107.5m previously committed by the federal government in 2022. The council is hoping the federal government will match the $87.5m.
“The state government has stepped up for our community and we’ll now work with the state to secure a matched federal commitment,” Cr Eden said.
“A matched federal government commitment will mean $390m in total state and federal funding, which equates to a saving (in future increases in rates/charges avoided) of $403 per household per year over 15 years for the residents of Cairns,” she said.
Last week Water Minister Glenn Butcher met Cr Eden, and MPs Michael Healy and Craig Crawford, to discuss the increased funding from the state government and the next steps for the project, including a construction start in August 2024.
Mr Butcher also inspected the Freshwater Creek water treatment plant and spoke to Cr Eden about the measures being implemented by the council to further bolster the region’s water security.
The water security stage 1 project will strengthen Cairns’ future water supply and includes a new water intake at the Mulgrave River, a new water treatment plant and water reservoirs at Gordonvale and supporting infrastructure to connect the new intake to the existing water network. In addition, flood protection works will be undertaken at the council’s Behana Creek intake. The new Mulgrave River intake will draw water from the river, through the riverbank, filtering it through sand and gravel as it moves to the intake and then is extracted and delivered to the water treatment plant. The project is due for completion in 2026 and involves more than 1600 jobs.
Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt said the work wasn’t just infrastructure – “it’s a cost of living project”.
