Christmas has come early for the drought-stricken Outback Shire of Paroo, with the Palaszczuk Government delivering $9.1 million in emergency funding to build a new sewage treatment plant and reline the pipes.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said delivering the critical sewage infrastructure in Cunnamulla was essential for a community in need.
"I know this region is fighting a battle against the drought and that brings added financial stress to the community," he said.
"That’s why we’re providing this urgent assistance to the Paroo Shire Council, enabling it to better protect the health and wellbeing of local residents.
"There’s no doubt this community has been doing it tough, and that the existing infrastructure has reached a critical condition and needs to be replaced.
"I visited Paroo Shire earlier this year and saw first-hand that the ageing facilities are in urgent need of repair.
"This $9.1 million in new funding will deliver a new modular sewage treatment plant, with all the clay pipes to be relined.
"It’s a great outcome for Paroo Shire and a further sign of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to Queenslanders in regional and remote areas."
Paroo Shire Mayor Lindsay Godfrey said Queensland Government funding had kept the community going during the drought.
"Every cent of funding has been directed to priority projects and most importantly providing jobs to the people in Paroo," Cr Godfrey.
Work on the Sewage Treatment Plant design and documentation is expected to begin in early 2019 with procurement and construction to follow and with an anticipated completion date by the end of 2019.
Council will be using its workforce to undertake the civil works which will enhance employment opportunities for the community.
Work on the sewer pipe relining portion of the project is expected to begin in March 2019 and with an anticipated completion also by the end of 2019.
