Fitzroy River Water Budget to bring big benefits

Published on 10 July 2015

There are major projects in the pipeline for Fitzroy River Water (FRW) over the next 12 months, and the Rockhampton Region can again expect major benefits.

The new financial year sees FRW’s operational expenditure budget at $58.3 million.

Chair of Council’s Water Committee, Councillor Greg Belz said the annual sum brings both great projects and great value to the Region each year, and 2015-16 will be no exception.

“FRW have been recognised in industry reporting and benchmarking programs including the National Water Initiative and I really can’t praise the benefits of this budget enough,” Cr Belz said.

“About 80% of FRW’s budget, or nearly $47 million, is spent locally.

“It’s returned directly back into the local economy- spent on wages and purchase of materials and services from local businesses, and this is all through a budget that continues to provide one of the cheapest urban water supplies in Queensland,” he said. 

The budget is set to bring several major infrastructure projects to the Region.

“FRW will focus on its leak detection program to reduce water wastage in the water network,” Cr Belz said.

“It will also be investigating its sewerage network to limit the opportunity for rainwater to get into the network causing surcharging and treatment plant issues. This will increase the environmental sustainability of the operation and mean big cost savings to the underground water and sewerage infrastructure network across the Region.”

Further important initiatives in the budget include modifications to the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant and other infrastructure to better place us when disasters strike and normal operating conditions don’t apply.

Cr Belz said the budget also brings continued support for residents experiencing genuine undetected water leaks.

“This support provides a buffer for those residents who on receipt of their water bill realise they have a leak, sometimes resulting in water bills for a normal residential property in the thousands,” Cr Belz said.

“While we are talking about water bills, this budget also sees the maintenance of quarterly water billing – which will make it easier for people to manage their household budgets including the quarterly allocation of consumption tiers.”

Specifics on major capital works:

  • Water mains replacement program $2.8M
  • Sewer Mains Refurbishment $1.5M
  • Commencement of  the phasing out of West Rockhampton Sewerage Treatment Plant  $1M
  • Water trunk mains duplication Rockhampton to Gracemere $1M
  • Barrage refurbishment works $605k
  • Water mains replacement Mount Morgan $520k
  • Continuation of Mount Morgan Sewerage Scheme extension $500k
  • Recycled water line from Gracemere to Botanic Gardens/Golf Course $500k
  • North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant recycled water project $100k
  • North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant electrical upgrades $500k
  • Completion of Glenmore Water Treatment Plant Hi-Lift pump upgrade including generator for use in disasters/power outages $2.5M
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