A $46.88 million package has been announced by the Queensland Government to support the Burdekin Shire Council for Stage 1 of a new Water Treatment Plant in Ayr.
The funding package also provides support for costs associated with refurbishing South Ayr bores to supplement current drinking water supplies and is part of an ongoing management plan following detections of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the groundwater.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin thanked the State Government for their support in providing essential infrastructure to the Burdekin community.
“Council is delighted and welcomes the State Government’s announcement of financial support to deliver Stage 1 of a new water treatment plant,” Ms McLaughlin said.
“This project will ensure a safe, reliable source of drinking water for residents in the Ayr, Brandon and Alva communities.”
Stage 1 of the new water treatment plant includes iron and manganese pre-treatment, dual media filtration (coal on sand), disinfection, solids handling, chemical storage and dosing.
Construction of the water treatment plant is set to begin later this year and be commissioned and supplying drinking water by 2026.
Additional funding for ongoing technical support and groundwater monitoring and modelling of the Ayr aquifer will also be provided.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is supporting the Burdekin Shire Council in the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to the community now and into the future,” said Minister for Water Glenn Butcher.
“Everyone knows the Burdekin is built on liquid gold, and this investment sets the community and council on a path for safe, clean and healthy water for decades to come.”
Burdekin Shire Council took immediate action to establish new bores for the town’s water supply when PFAS was first detected in the local groundwater in 2018.
The Queensland Government previously provided $12 million funding to Burdekin Shire Council for water supply infrastructure upgrades to support safe and reliable drinking water.
Completed in 2022, these works included a 10 megalitre South Ayr Reservoir, installation of new bores and associated pumps, chlorination and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection equipment and connecting water mains, and the design of the South Ayr Water Treatment Plant.
New structures to be established on the existing reservoir, shaded dark. Image supplied
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