Joint media release: Funding to boost water security in Longreach

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Senator Nita Green, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef

The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with state governments, local councils and community groups to deliver local infrastructure projects across Australia that help safeguard water resources and protect our natural environment.

Under the new $211 million Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative, the Longreach community in Central West Queensland will benefit from a $18.6 million water infrastructure boost.

The Longreach Water Security for Growth project will deliver infrastructure upgrades and water efficiency measures to secure sustainable long-term water security.

The town’s five weirs will be rebuilt, and the walls raised by a metre, with a fish passage installed for each. New water mains and household smart meters will also be installed.

Together this new infrastructure will deliver an additional 900 megalitres of storage and reduce water loss by 245 megalitres per year. It will provide the region with a reliable and increased long-term water supply that improves liveability for residents, grows the productivity of its industries, and promotes local tourism.

The $18.6 million project is supported by $5 million from the Federal Government, through the National Water Grid Fund, $7 million from the Queensland Government and $6.6 million from Longreach Regional Council.

This significant investment follows the completion of Isisford Weir, funded by $1.2 million from the Queensland Labor Government.

Council will commence construction for the project in 2024-25, with work to be scheduled around the summer wet season. The project is expected to generate 38 local jobs during construction and operation.

The WISER initiative is supporting 23 projects to deliver more efficient and sustainable water use in regional communities across Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

Helping to drive the nation’s transition to a circular economy, many of the projects will be powered by renewable energy, use recycled materials, and refurbish existing structures to reduce the construction footprint.

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

“Every drop of water is precious and I’m very pleased to work with the Queensland Government and Longreach Council to deliver better water security for the Longreach community.

“Not only are we delivering better water security, these projects will also help native fish and the local environment.”

Quotes attributable to the local member Senator Nita Green:

“The Longreach town water supply services more than 2,900 residents as well as a significant transient population during the dry season, when demand is higher. This project will support the growth and prosperity of Longreach by securing the town’s water supply into the future.

“The cutting-edge leak detection system included in this project will address the excessive loss of water currently taking place.”

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

“The Miles Labor Government continues to deliver for the people of the Longreach.

“This upgrade is about more than delivering upgraded water infrastructure, it’s a cost of living measure that will benefit the community long term.

“This funding is helping to put downward pressure on rates and water bills, while future-proofing the region’s water infrastructure and water supply resilience.

“I’m proud to work alongside the Australian Government and council to deliver this funding - I know how important water security is for Longreach community.

“When Councils need us, we always deliver – unlike the LNP who would rather cut funding from Councils, claiming they were ‘sitting on a gold mine’– and that was somehow some excuse to cut.”

Quotes attributable to Mayor Tony Rayner, Longreach Regional Council:

“Living in some of the most dry and remote parts of Queensland makes achieving secure water supply a big challenge.

“In addition to the generous support provided by the Queensland and Australian governments, we have contributed $6.6 million over two years from our capital program to deliver this important project for our region.

“This vital investment from all three levels of government will see our weirs raised to create more instream storage and also introduce measures to help us achieve greater efficiency with our reticulated network so that we can provide a reliable supply to our growing population and tourism industry.”