Qld Govt Funds Matched for Remote Water Supply

JOINT STATEMENT
  • The Crisafulli Government's Budget is delivering $18 million for critical water infrastructure upgrades in Woorabinda. 
  • Multiple requests were made by the Crisafulli Government to Federal Government to match the State's funding to ensure job done properly. 
  • Federal Minister for Water Murray Watt announced $18 million matched funding for Woorabinda from Albanese Government this week. 

After months of advocacy, the Crisafulli Government's $18 million commitment to restore clean drinking water supply to Woorabinda has been matched by the Federal Albanese Government, delivering a major win for the regional community.

The Crisafulli Government had written to the Federal Government on multiple occasions requesting they match this funding commitment to ensure the job in Woorabinda was done properly to ensure residents could access clean drinking water.   

The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt - yesterday - announced that the Albanese Government would match the Crisafulli Government's $18 million commitment for the Woorabinda water supply improvement project.

Woorabinda has been on boiled water alerts for the past 10 months, since three of the community's four water bores were not operational, and residents were only able to access low-quality water piped directly from Baralaba. 

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said she was proud to announce one of Australia's most economically disadvantaged towns would receive long overdue investment to restore clean drinking water. 

"This is a truly great outcome. I saw first-hand the toll this was taking on the people of Woorabinda when I toured the community last month," Minister Simpson said. 

"Minister for Water Ann Leahy, local member Sean Dillon and I repeatedly called on the Federal Government to come to the table and I'm thrilled to see Senator Watt has recognised how vital this project is and decided to work with us to restore this basic human right. 

"Clearly Woorabinda's water infrastructure needed significant investment and upgrades for some time under the former state government, but discrete and remote communities – such as Woorabinda – were out of sight and out of mind under Labor.  

"The Labor MPs in Canberra have stepped up and done what their state-based colleagues failed to do during a decade in charge, and I commend them for this." 

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government was relentless in pursuing this critical funding for Woorabinda.   

"A secure supply of clean drinking water is a basic right, and the Crisafulli Government has fought hard to secure this funding," Minister Leahy said.  

"We fought for action and now the people of Woorabinda will finally have the clean, reliable drinking water they deserve.   

"This outcome is the result of our consistent advocacy to ensure this project is fully funded and a clear sign the Crisafulli Government is committed to providing water security for regional and remote communities." 

Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the announcement was a wonderful outcome. 

"This is a common sense outcome for the people of Woorabinda and the local council, which will safeguard their water supply and treatment program for generations," Mr Dillon said. 

"It is terrific that finally all three levels of government can align their priorities and deliver a basic human right - clean drinking water." 

Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Terence Munns thanked the State and Federal Governments for working with the local government to make a difference.

"This funding commitment is a welcome step forward for Woorabinda and delivers much-needed infrastructure to our community," Mayor Munns said.

"After living under boiled water alerts for the past 10 months, our community is looking forward to having access to safe, clean drinking water.  

"The new water treatment plant will make a real difference to everyday life here." 

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