A SLICE OF RELIEF Water security gets millions in funding
KERBSIDE hard rubbish collection will kick off in 2018 with Townsville City Council to also fund free green waste dumping.
The measures are part of an improved waste management package to replace the free dump voucher system used by just 25 per cent of residents. Townsville residents will be able to dump green waste for free all year at all landfills and transfer stations from July 1, with hard waste collection to begin next year.
Mayor Jenny Hill the waste initiative worth $ 2.9 million. said was
“We made a commitment that hard rubbish collection and free dumping of green waste would be delivered in this term of council and I can proudly say we are keeping our promise,” Cr Hill said.
“I wanted to bring the hard rubbish collection back in 2012 but it was blocked by other councillors who were in favour of the free tip vouchers despite the fact that 75 per cent were never used.”
Council’s waste charges will also be more transparent to show residents where their money is going. TOWNSVILLE City Council has allocated $ 5.5 million to secure five months’ worth of water from the Burdekin Dam as water security was put front of centre of yesterday’s Budget.
The move comes on top of a raft of major infrastructure projects, worth a total of $ 180 million, that aim to support jobs and economic activity.
The council allocated $ 5.5 million for the purchase and pumping of 20,000 megalitres of water from the Burdekin Dam – the equivalent of five months continual supply.
Ross River Dam is currently at about 21 per cent capacity, with the council expecting the water level to reach the pumping trigger point of 15 per cent by late October.
Cr Hill said the Budget’s focus was on ensuring the city had a guaranteed water supply into next year.
“Pumping, combined with reserves in the dams and Level 3 water restrictions will secure the city’s water supply well into next year without rain,” she said.
“While we were only required to pump for around three months this year, we’re making sure we have a plan in place that covers every contingency for our community.”
The council will pump more than $ 15 million into major water works including $ 1.2 million for the rehabilitation of dam infrastructure, $ 1.5 million for the rehabilitation of water reservoirs and $ 3.5 million for water services between mains and meters.
Other works include $ 39 million for the Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Pro- gram, $ 19.8 million for the CBD utilities upgrade and $ 4 million for the CBD bus hub design and construction. The council will also spend $ 36.6 million on road upgrades.
Cr Hill said roads, rubbish collection and water were key business for the council.
“Particularly the CBD has seen a series of contracts that have gone out to small local firms and that’s what we want to continue throughout our spending,” she said.
“These moneys will be spent with local firms as much as we can. The bus hub ( and) CBD utilities will create jobs.”
Deputy Mayor Les Walker said it was a back- to- basics budget that delivered muchneeded infrastructure.
“It shows a very big sign of confidence and I think we’ve done all to make sure investors have a lot to look forward to as well,” he said.
“Water is part of the territory here. We have to manage that scenario and we are, and that’s responsible council.
“We have to manage the worst- case scenario and that’s what we’ve managed to do in this budget. We will address those needs ( water) in our reviews quarter.”