SPECIAL REPORT: Are you satisfied with these responses from Douglas Shire Council and State Govt about our water problems?

WATER DISCUSSION

Michael Warren

Editor

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What do you make of the responses from DSC and the State about our troublesome water problem? Picture: Supplied

Water… it’s been on everyone’s lips around the Shire since we endured the Cyclone Jasper and extreme heavy rainfall events last December.

Since then, community members have had to put up with frustrating water restrictions, access to water being turned off, a lack of information about when things will actually be fixed and having to drink bottled water.

The much discussed problems to the Douglas Shire water system creates a range of flow-on issues across the Shire.

It means at times local restaurants can’t open or trade, guests have cancelled upcoming hotel bookings because of potential unreliable water supply, residents can’t have showers or we simply can’t turn the tap on for a drink of water.

More broadly the fact at times we haven’t had access to water or limited water means our multi million tourism industry suffers as well. There are anecdotal stories about prospective tourists from across the country being told to stay away from Douglas and instead head and stay in Cairns over the past month because the Shire hasn't had access to a regular water supply.

How did we get to this? How did one of the most visited Shire’s in Australia get brought to its knees by its aging water supply?

Why hasn’t the Shire’s water system received the regular maintence its required to remain effective and operational? Particularly during cyclone and flood events. It’s one thing to blame landslides for the turbidity in local water, it’s another to have an aging system that hasn’t been properly maintained and looked after.

Local residents and ratepayers remain furious – and rightfully so.

Newsport reached out to QLD Water Minister Glenn Butcher for immediate answers to our questions.

We also contacted Douglas Shire Council with several questions about what they are specfically doing in the short and long term to fix our water issues.

Newsport questions to QLD Government water department

  1. How does the State Government intend to fix, repair, rebuild and overhaul the Douglas Shire water infrastructure system in the short and long term to ensure one of Australia’s leading tourism destinations (Port Douglas) and the wider Douglas Shire doesn’t continue to have catastrophic water troubles?
  2. Has the State Government in conjunction with Douglas Shire Council formulated a strategic plan to fix the Douglas Shire’s aging, inadequate water infrastructure system to ensure our access to water never has to be turned off or restricted ever again?
  3. What specific steps, one by one, are being executed and carried out by the State in the short term to ensure residents of the Douglas Shire have regular and uninterrupted access to water in their taps?
  4. What specifically, at a local level here on the ground, are Douglas Shire Council doing to ensure local residents have access to a reliable water supply?
  5. Does the State Government understand the absolute urgency in which locals need and deserve a water supply that is current, dependable and reflective of a destination and a Shire that is one of the most visited in Australia?
  6. When will we see QLD Water Minister Glenn Butcher in the Douglas Shire next?

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QLD Water Minister spokesperson response to Newsport questions (single statement)

The Queensland Government has a strong track record in helping Councils with its water infrastructure needs to ensure communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water supply – through programs like Building our Regions, as well as Queensland Government agencies helping Councils operationally and in response to natural disasters.

As part of this assistance, the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water continues to help the Douglas Shire Council manage and repair the water treatment plant and related issues following heavy rainfall from Cyclone Jasper. 

This help includes coordinating water experts from across Queensland, who over the past month have supplied equipment and technical expertise to the Douglas Shire to help the Council’s team manage issues with their water treatment plant and repair their water supply network following heavy rainfall from Cyclone Jasper.

The Department is working with Douglas Shire Council to look at a range of longer-term solutions that will mitigate the turbidity issue and make the WTP more resilient in future.

The Department urges residents to follow the instructions from Douglas Shire Council to limit water use as much as possible while this issue is being managed.

Minister Butcher visited Port Douglas and met with the Mayor. Council have communicated they are very appreciative of the assistance provided by the Department to help restore water security after this devastating weather event.

Background

  • The North Queensland Water Sector Mutual Aid Coordination Cell (MACC) was stood up by the Department. This is a group of water sector experts from local councils and water service providers in Queensland, who agree to help each other when the need arises. Through this arrangement. the Coordination Cell supplied equipment and technical expertise to the Douglas Shire to help the Council’s team manage issues with their water treatment plant and repair their water supply network following heavy rainfall from Cyclone Jasper.
  • The MACC has now stood down due to it achieving its objective. To continue to support the longer-term recovery and resilience of Douglas Shire Council and other local governments in the region, DRDMW has established a cross State agency, local government and water sector group known as the North Queensland Water Sector Recovery Coordination Group.

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Newsport questions to Douglas Shire Council

NEWSPORT: What specifically is Council doing each day, to fix the broken and aging Douglas Shire water infrastructure system? 

Michael Kerr: Everyday Council’s water teams monitor the Shire’s reservoir levels and water quality, and swiftly work to mend any breakages in the pipeline network as they are reported or identified.

NEWSPORT: What specific conversations have taken place with the State Govt water department in regards to fixing the Douglas Shire water system both in the short and long terms? Please detail and explain. 

Michael Kerr: Council is pleased to be working with the State Government and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority on both a short term solution a long-term plan to ensure a safe and more secure water supply for the Douglas Shire.

NEWSPORT: Has Council utilised the knowledge and experience of former Douglas Shire Council water employees who no longer work at Council but who collectively have years of knowledge of how the local system operates and how to fix it both short and long term? 

Michael Kerr: Council respects the privacy of current and former employees, and does not discuss specific details of conversations or interactions with staff.

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