Council works with local developer to extend town water supply to Old Kildonan Road

Goondiwindi Regional Council will work together and share costs with a local developer to extend access to the town water supply out from Anderson Street to Old Kildonan Road in Goondiwindi.

Council resolved to share 50% of the costs of the extension during its February Ordinary meeting. The installation of the new water main will extend access to the town water supply to the corner of Old Kildonan Road and Billsborough Street. Council will also use the opportunity of the extension works to upgrade the current water infrastructure in Anderson Street.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said the project was an example of Council and the private sector working together to share costs in a coordinated project for public benefit.

“Council is very much looking forward to entering into this agreement because it will minimise Council’s costs and achieve best value for ratepayers,” the Mayor said. “In this instance, by collaborating with a private developer we’ll be able to extend the town water supply to even more residents - at a greatly reduced cost to the ratepayer.

“This project will also encourage future developments in the area, which will provide even further opportunity to recover these costs through infrastructure charges,” he said.

Council met with developer Kim Frankel twice over the past 12 months to determine how to best proceed with the water infrastructure upgrades. Council has now resolved to contribute $119,869 towards the installation of the new water main, which is 50% of the total estimated cost [$239,739]. Mr Frankel will bear the remaining 50% of the costs.

Council will require Mr Frankel, who already holds approval for a subdivision of 16 new housing lots on Old Kildonan Road, to complete the works within two years from the agreement.

Cr Rick Kearney holds Council’s portfolio for water services and said the project was a good opportunity to improve public infrastructure while utilising private sector funds.

“Not only will this project aid the already-approved development waiting in the wings, but this type of water infrastructure is essential to encouraging further development in the area,” Cr Kearney said. “It also provides Council an opportunity to further extend access to the town water supply to the existing 20 or so properties along that road.

“Council’s water supply assets have an estimated gross replacement cost of approximately $64.2 million [as at 30 June 2017], and underground assets such as water mains comprise more than half of that value. So this project represents excellent value for ratepayers, and Council welcomes opportunities, where appropriate, to share costs with the private sector to achieve the best outcomes for the region.”

Council’s upgrade of the existing water main in Andersen Street will include the installation of a pipeline from Marshall Street to the end of the existing water main in Andersen Street, at an estimated cost of $284,162. Cr Kearney said that completing the upgrade along with the new extension would also be advantageous.

“The existing Anderson Street water main would need to be upgraded in the next few years anyway, due to aging infrastructure,” he said. “Timing that upgrade to go ahead along with the extension project is sensible and cost-efficient, as all the work can take place as one project.”