Gladstone-based Golding Contractors has been awarded the construction contract for the $29 million Gladstone water storage system upgrade.
Currently, the Awoonga Dam is the sole water supply that Gladstone residents and industries rely on and with this project, the Gladstone region will be see additional water security as well as a boost in jobs.
According to Minister for Water Supply Mark Bailey, the new Offline Storage Facility and Standby Pump System will become complementary to the existing Awoonga Dam water supply.
“The facility will provide reserve water storage capacity and allow Gladstone Area Water Board to schedule maintenance works without interrupting essential water supply to local community.
“It will also provide a second source of water for Gladstone should there be short term fluctuations in the water quality in Lake Awoonga, such as occurred following the January 2013 floods,” Mr Bailey said.
Mr Bailey also stated that the State Government has committed to funding this project because there was a need to provide Queenslanders with a reliable as well as a cost-effective water infrastructure.
Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said that the State Government is committed to bringing in an important economic boost to the Gladstone economy with a Gladstone-bred business heading the construction of this vital project.
“Construction of the system means jobs for the Gladstone region, with 60 jobs supported during construction, most of which will be locally based.
“I’m pleased to see Golding Contractors Pty Ltd, a local company, will complete the project, which is another win for the Gladstone community,” Mr Butcher said.
According to Denis Cook, the Gladstone Area Water Board Chair, this project will be able to help reduce the risk of supply interruptions in Gladstone significantly by providing a reserve water storage much closer to home.
“This vital investment will continue the ongoing development of a water network that enhances the security of water supply to the Gladstone Region reinforcing its appeal as a location for major industry development.
“Over time the expected avoidance of outages for Gladstone water customers will more than offset the capital cost of the Offline Storage Facility,” Mr Cook said.
Construction on the new Offline Storage Facility and Standby Pump System is expected to commence in February 2017, with completion projected by mid-2018.
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Source: Queensland Government