Yelarbon set for better water security, pressure and quality

Yelarbon residents can soon expect to benefit from better quality drinking water and improved town water pressure.

Work by Goondiwindi Regional Council is now underway to construct a new concrete reservoir that will almost triple the town’s supply of drinking water from 144 kL to 400 kL.

The increased storage capacity at the town’s water treatment plant will ensure sufficient residential supply during dry periods. Council will also install a booster pump system that will assure standardised water quality and increased flow rates at connected properties.

Council successfully obtained a grant of $738,000 from the Queensland Government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP) to be divided between the Yelarbon project and the Talwood reservoir upgrade announced by Council last week.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said the infrastructure upgrades would greatly improve the long-term security of the town’s drinking water.

“I am extremely pleased to say that the works at Yelarbon will greatly improve the capacity, reliability and quality of residents’ drinking water,” Cr Springborg said.

“As I’m sure we’re all well aware, the Goondiwindi region has been drought-declared since 2014. The increased water storage here at Yelarbon will better secure the town’s supply and reduce the risk of disruption during periods of high demand or prolonged drought.”

The new 400 kL water storage reservoir will be built near the existing high-level reservoir in Burrel Street. The work will be in addition to Council’s construction of a new bore in Yelarbon in September 2019 to address immediate water supply risks and provide a long-term solution for the town.

The new storage and booster pump system will also significantly improve the town’s firefighting capability by increasing capacity and flow.

Cr Springborg said that Council’s success in securing an external grant for the work would increase the scope of its ratepayer-funded Budget for additional projects across the region.

“Opportunities such as the LGGSP are a great chance for Council to invest in vital infrastructure projects that will have a lasting impact on our region’s water supply and long-term security,” the Mayor said.

“Improving Council’s infrastructure assets in our small towns will also improve liveability which, in turn, has flow-on effects for economic growth and employment opportunities,” he said.

The LGGSP is a competitive grant that provides funding to Queensland local governments to deliver priority infrastructure and essential services.

The work will not affect the water quality currently provided to connected properties, but residents can expect higher water pressures and flow rates.

Construction is expected to take around six months to complete and Council will advise residents when the new supply is scheduled to come online.