South West Queensland Water and Sewerage Alliance - Infrastructure Strategy

Abstract

The South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) includes : Balonne Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Maranoa Regional Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council and Quilpie Shire Council. Within this group The South West Queensland Waster and Sewerage Alliance(SWQWSA) was formed in 2021 as a sub committee. The SWQWSA councils cover 18.5% of Queensland land area but only claims less than 0.5% of the states population. Potable water is supplied to 26 communities, the largest with approximately 3500 connection and the smallest with only 14. In addition, non potable water is supplied to 2 communities. 14 communities are serviced with sewerage. The largest scheme with approximately 3050 connects and the smallest with only 25. Due to the remote nature of these communities, all are faced with adverse challenges that must be overcome for the provision of safe water and wastewater services. At the same time regulatory water and waste water regimes, water quality and environmental standards test the capacity of existing infrastructure and available resourcing. Challenges such as scale ,limited rates base, ageing water and sewer networks, treatment plants and bore supplies come to light for all councils tasked with maintaning, renewing and upgrading such facilities and networks. The SWQWSA is aware of these challenges and has identified the need to develop a regional water and sewerage infrastructure strategy. The aim of the strategy is to inform and address current and future water and sewerage infrastructure needs in a collaborative and integrated approach across the SWQWSA. This presentation seeks to inform attendees of the process undertaken by GBA Consulting Engineers so far, in the early stages of data collection and preparation of the infrastructure strategy report.