$2.49m project to address aging infrastructure in progress

9 February 2023

Upgrading the region’s aging infrastructure is a pressing issue reaching a critical point and a $2.49m project to improve sewer network performance and reduce the risk of leaks and pipe failures in Warwick and Stanthorpe is well underway.

Funded with $1.45m from the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program and a $1.04m investment from Council, the project includes 40km of sewer main cleaning and CCTV investigations and 7.2km of sewer main relining.

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said that funding and future-proofing aging infrastructure would not be without challenges, but critical sewer upgrades were part of Council’s commitment to the ongoing provision of reliable sewer services to the community.

“Council has a strong long-term vision for the region which involves major infrastructure projects that will support a growing and thriving community,” Mayor Pennisi said.

“Our region is on the edge of the aging infrastructure cliff and Council has a responsibility to deliver to the community what they cannot deliver for themselves.

“Essential infrastructure projects that benefit our region and build a sustainable future for the Southern Downs is a key priority and it is necessary that we ensure our sewer network performs efficiently.

“Our network has recently shown signs of aging so these works are timely to minimise disruptions to the community.

“In the short-term, we need to find $30m to address aging infrastructure across the region and we are very grateful for the funding support we received from the Queensland Government because it reduces the financial burden on rate payers.

“Going forward and until the situation is in order, Council’s focus has shifted to pursue grant funding opportunities that upgrade our aging infrastructure rather than applying for projects for new infrastructure.”

Sewer main cleaning and relining works in the previous financial year have already shown improvements to the sewer network, with fewer blockages and pump station overloading caused by groundwater infiltration during wet weather events.

Project information at a glance
• Completed: 1km of sewer mains relined
• Completed: 10.8km of sewer mains pressure cleaned and CCTV investigated 
• Project completion date: November 2023

The project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program in association with Southern Downs Regional Council.