External funding boost to improve water quality in Goondiwindi

A $190,000 project to improve the water quality and pressure to connected properties in Goondiwindi is scheduled to be completed next week.

Goondiwindi Regional Council has allocated the funding from the State Government’s 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland (W4Q) program towards replacing the water mains at Winton and Chalmers Streets.

The work will improve the reliability and sustainability of Council’s water services to those streets and the adjoining connected areas.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said Council had allocated more than $860,000 of its 2020-21 W4Q funding towards projects that will improve water quality and pressure for residents and businesses on town water connections.

“Council’s priority for this funding was the renewal and maintenance of existing infrastructure across the whole region,” Cr Springborg said. “This is an opportunity for vital investment in public infrastructure and will be put to improving the quality and longevity of the $64 million worth of Council’s water supply assets.”

Cr Springborg said the W4Q funding would complement the $500,000 that Council spends each year to replace and upgrade the 186 kilometres of water mains across the Goondiwindi region.

“Service is our business, and so the repair and renewal of assets such as water infrastructure will always be a priority,” he said. “This project will complement the projects already scheduled in our 2020-21 Budget to ensure that our region’s infrastructure is up-to-date and sustainable for the future.”

Council’s Water Supply Services Asset Management Plan guides how water assets across the Goondiwindi region are maintained and ensures they meet the required level of service in the most cost-effective manner to the ratepayer. Cr Springborg said that external funding opportunities such as the W4Q program greatly increase the scope of Council’s capital works and allow for additional investment in the region’s future.

“Less than half of Council’s total operational expenditure for this year will be from rates, and we will continue to chase down every dollar of external funding to increase the return on investment for all ratepayers,” the Mayor said.

Notice has been sent to those properties that will be affected and Council will endeavour to minimise any disruptions. Residents are reminded that they can sign up to Council’s free SMS alert service to receive notifications about emergency water interruptions via text. Existing notification methods for planned interruptions will continue, but the SMS service provides an additional communication channel for unplanned incidents. For more information about the service or to sign up for free, visit: www.grc.qld.gov.au/SMS