Joint media release: $62 million boost to First Nations and remote communities’ water infrastructure

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Glenn Butcher, QLD Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water 

• $62 million funding from the Australian, Queensland and local governments will improve drinking water security in remote communities.
• Infrastructure upgrades will improve water quality and reliability in 11 communities. 
• $31.3 million from the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund, including $29.3 million from the $150 million set aside for First Nations communities in regional and remote Australia.
• Almost $29 million from the Queensland Government.
• More than $2 million from Cloncurry and Diamantina local councils.
• Some projects are shovel ready and will commence works soon.

$62 million in funding will fix deteriorating and failing drinking water infrastructure in 11 remote or Indigenous communities in Queensland. 

These communities – Wujal Wujal, Dajarra, Cherbourg, Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Bamaga, Seisia, New Mapoon, Umagico, Injinoo and Birdsville – will benefit from infrastructure upgrades to improve water quality and water security. 

Improving the supply of clean, secure and reliable drinking water enhances the well-being of people in our most remote communities by meeting their personal and household needs.  

Projects that form part of this funding in Birdsville and Dajarra are shovel-ready and are expected to commence work imminently. 

Water Infrastructure Improvement Projects:

• Almost $26 million to upgrade Cherbourg’s water infrastructure, including water treatment plant upgrades, a new reservoir and new mains.
• $10 million for the Northern Peninsula Area comprising upgrades to the Bamaga water treatment plant which will also service Seisia, New Mapoon, Umagico and Injinoo, and new mains infrastructure in the region.
• $6 million for water treatment plant upgrades and associated works at Wujal Wujal.
• $6 million for water treatment upgrades and associated works on Mornington Island.
• $9 million for water treatment plant upgrades and a new reservoir for Doomadgee.
• $4 million for a second bore and a larger cooling pond to cool Birdsville’s water, which comes from a bore that surfaces at almost 100oC.
• $1.937 million for a new raw water bore and reticulation system to supply potable water to Dajarra.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek: 

“About 600,000 Australians don’t have access to clean drinking water. It’s unacceptable that some of our communities are still relying on water that’s murky, or contains unsafe levels of minerals, heavy metals and chemicals.

“That’s why we are committed to projects that will provide safe, sustainable and reliable water, including in First Nations and remote communities right across Queensland.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to Close the Gap on water security, and we cannot do it alone.

“We are working closely with our state and territory partners and First Nations organisations and representatives across the nation to identify, plan and deliver water security projects.”  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

"Every Queenslander, no matter where they live, has the right to clean, reliable drinking water. 

"The funding for these projects represents significant improvements to the daily lives of people living in our most remote communities. These projects will deliver high quality, clean and safe water more reliably in the future. 

"Water equipment, such as pipes, reservoirs, filtration systems, and water treatment plants, is complex and when it comes to the end of its life replacement costs can be high. 

"Thanks to a strong partnership between three levels of government we can deliver about $62 million for these vital water infrastructure upgrades and equipment replacements."

Quotes attributable to Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Alister Gibson:

"The funding for a new water treatment plant to ensure clean and safe drinking water is a huge step forward for the health and well-being of our community.

"The costs to replace our ageing and failing water infrastructure and other significant projects like these are unaffordable for small communities like ours, and we’re relieved to hear that our water quality and reliability will be equal to Queenslanders who live in the southeast corner."

Quotes attributable to LGAQ CEO Alison Smith:

“No community can be a liveable one without safe and secure water and councils play a critical role in the infrastructure and workforce to provide it.

“This funding is a welcome step but with the looming infrastructure cliff of ageing water infrastructure and critical water workforce shortages we look forward to further non-competitive and sustainable support to tackle these massive challenges.”