Works delivered to restore clean drinking water to Woorabinda
The Federal and Queensland Governments and the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council have made critical progress in restoring a clean drinking water supply to Woorabinda, allowing an 11-month boil water alert to be lifted.
The achievement is thanks to a $36 million jointly funded water security project, through the National Water Grid Fund, and the Qld Government’s Closing the Gap Priorities Fund.
The project has allowed urgent repairs to be done to the existing Water Treatment Plant, resulting in the plant returning to working condition.
Repairs undertaken include the installation of new filter media, dosing pumps, online instrumentation and electrical upgrades.
Urgent repairs are to be done to the existing Water Treatment Plant.
These upgrades enable council operators to effectively monitor water quality and adjust treatment processes in response to raw water quality changes, an important function to ensure safe drinking water for their community in the short term.
Planning and design of fit-for-purpose, long-term improvements to Woorabinda’s water infrastructure, from supply through to distribution, are underway. Construction activities are expected to begin later this year.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said better water meant better health.
Key facts
- Urgent works completed to restore Woorabinda’s existing Water Treatment Plant.
- Council has lifted the Boil Water Advisory for community, after 11 months.
- Further upgrades to deliver improved water security for Woorabinda long-term are expected to commence later this year.
“Better water means better health and better life outcomes for people and that’s why projects like this are a critical investment for rural and remote communities across Australia.
“The Albanese Government will continue to work with our Queensland partners to Close the Gap on water security in this great State.”
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the focus was now on ensuring Woorabinda has secure water well into the future.
Water security
“No community should have to worry about whether their drinking water is safe. Being able to turn on the tap again and trust the water is safe will make a real difference for families in Woorabinda,” Senator McCarthy said.
“This is a really important step that shows what’s possible when governments work closely with community. The immediate repairs were critical and now the focus is on making sure Woorabinda has secure water well into the future.”
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said delivering access to clean, reliable drinking water was a priority for the State Government.
The Boil Water Advisory for the Woorabinda community has been lifted lifted.
“Access to clean, reliable drinking water is a high priority for the Government, and we are committed to securing Woorabinda’s water supply well into the future,” Minister Leahy said.
“This is a significant milestone for the Woorabinda community, with the Boil Water Advisory lifted at last. These urgent repairs restored access to safe drinking water in the short term.
“Planning is already underway for a long-term infrastructure solution that will provide a secure, safe and reliable water supply for generations to come.
“The lifting of the Boil Water Advisory is a huge relief for our community”
“This achievement is a testament to all three levels of government working together to deliver real and lasting benefits for the Woorabinda community. I look forward to seeing this project continue to progress.”
Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Terence Munns said this was a huge relief to the community.
“The lifting of the Boil Water Advisory is a huge relief for our community, and we’re grateful for the urgent repairs that have made this possible,” Mayor Munns said.
“We will continue to work closely with our government partners to secure a safe and reliable water supply for our community into the future.”
