Water security boosted across the shire
Water Security
Douglas Shire Council has continued to strengthen water security over the past year as it strives to prepare the region for catastrophic events and outcomes like those faced in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
Council has outlined the water infrastructure projects and improved supply in its annual report, saying it has delivered a number of water infrastructure projects to improve reliability and reduce maintenance across the region.
The projects included a $700,000 upgrade replacing 1.3km of ageing mains in Miallo and Rocky Point, with a new connection to Miallo State School.
In Port Douglas, a $650,000 project connected the new Grant Street water main to the Macrossan Street pipeline, enhancing flow to the Flagstaff Hill reservoir.
And Council also awarded a $749,000 contract to upgrade the inlet screening facility at the Port Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant, further strengthening the region’s water and wastewater systems.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper made landfall on December 13, 2023 but it was the associated weather event that followed which had devastating consequences for the Douglas Shire.
A total 3.2 metres of rain was recorded in less than a week and a total of 4.2 metres in the space of two months.
The entire Shire was impacted with major flooding, landslips, overnight evacuations, homes destroyed, water infrastructure, and roads collapsing.
The flooding and landslips caused blockages in the water catchments, breakages along the water pipeline network, and record high levels of turbidity (caused by excessive sediment and debris) in the water.
Water conservation measures were in place across Douglas Shire including water restrictions for all homes and businesses that use treated water. Those restrictions were relaxed across the Shire from Level 3 to Level 2 from, July 2, 2024.
The replacement of filters at the Mossman and Whyanbeel treatment plants, and other upgrades to the network, contributed to the change in restrictions and the ongoing works is building on that water security for the shire.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was pleased the community was returning to Level 2 restrictions.
That work included a new 120-metre replacement pipe, which reconnects Port Douglas with its main water supply (Crees Road reservoir), and the 1.4km interconnector pipe between Mossman and Whyanbeel had also improved the shire’s water security and Council’s confidence to relax restrictions.
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