Exploring Options To Strengthen Region's Water Security
Toowoomba Regional Council has taken a significant step to improve water security and support development in the high growth corridor to the south-west of Toowoomba City.
Council has acquired a property in Westbrook that will be the location of a future water treatment plant.
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Mayor Geoff McDonald said the land purchase enabled Council to lock in the location for the water treatment plant and position itself to take advantage of opportunities to obtain government funding to accelerate commencement of the project.
"Late last year we became aware of this opportunity and at the December Ordinary Meeting, Council authorised the CEO to negotiate the acquisition," he said.
"This is a location that will help strengthen our network, support growth in the south-west and provide capacity through the existing Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply network."
With the site being acquired for a water treatment plant, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said Council would require funding to progress the project in an accelerated timeframe. The plant is currently planned to be completed by 2034.
"With the scale of infrastructure required and the opportunity we have to meet the housing target requirements set by the State Government, we simply cannot deliver a new treatment plant any sooner without investment from other levels of government. But with funding, we could get it done much earlier, especially since now land is sitting there ready to build on," she said.
"We're seeing strong interest from the development industry for housing in Westbrook, Glenvale and surrounding areas, but nothing happens without water.
"A new water treatment plant is just one part of the broader planning already underway. The program of works will include approximately 9km of new trunk water mains to transfer treated water via pumping stations to a new Mt Peel Reservoir and connection to the existing reservoir at Gabbinbar.
"This infrastructure will supply water to suburbs such as Glenvale, Drayton, Westbrook, Wyreema, Hodgson Vale, Vale View, Darling Heights, Middle Ridge and Kearneys Spring."
https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-publications/media-releases/16761-exploring-options-to-strengthen-the-regions-water-security
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