Funding turns on resilience tap for critical Far North water asset

The Kuranda Water Treatment Plant will be operating at full capacity once more following a multimillion-dollar joint funding commitment from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Planned works include construction of new water intake pipework and anchorage systems, raising the plant’s intake structure, and upgrading the sludge thickener armour for increased durability.

Located approximately 28 kilometres north-west of Cairns on the Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda faces frequent impacts from tropical lows and cyclones that can interrupt essential services like water supply.

These improvements will address the extensive damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.

This project is funded through the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP), a five-year Queensland Government initiative to improve the state’s resilience to natural disasters.

With design works for the treatment plant upgrades complete, Mareeba Shire Council is now working to deliver this important project for their community.

This will significantly strengthen the region’s water security during and immediately after future disaster events, ease pressure on emergency services, and support long term resilience across the region.

As Kuranda’s primary source of potable water, restoring full operations to the treatment plant and ensuring its resilience against future disasters is a critical and much welcome outcome for residents.

The QRRRP is backed by the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

A full list of projects funded under Round 1 of the QRRRP is available on the QRA website.