Livingstone Shire Council to Address GKI Wastewater Treatment Plant at June Meeting
Councillors will soon consider a business case for the construction of a new sewerage treatment plant and public amenities on Great Keppel Island (Woppa) at the June Ordinary Council Meeting.
Livingstone Shire Council is now well advanced in the development of a business case for the construction of a new sewerage treatment plant and public amenities on the island. The Council will consider the business case in June before determining how to proceed.
The Council acknowledges the critical importance of Great Keppel Island (Woppa) to future economic growth and jobs across the whole region, with independent research completed by Capricorn Enterprise confirming the contribution the Island already makes to the local economy and the potential for growth. The report finds that future growth has the capacity to add an additional 494 jobs locally and a $46.9 million improvement in GRP.
There was an identified urgent need to provide new sewerage treatment infrastructure to protect and secure current businesses, residents, and visitors to the island in the Master Plan. While the Queensland Government has committed to financially contribute to the construction costs attributed to the sewerage treatment plant, the responsibility will ultimately be on Livingstone Shire Council to pay for ongoing operations and maintenance costs.
Mayor Adam Belot said the upcoming June Council Meeting will be pivotal, as councillors will decide whether to proceed with the new wastewater treatment plant.
“The decision to proceed with the business case for a new sewerage treatment plant on Great Keppel Island is not taken lightly, considering the long-term financial implications for our residents and ratepayers,” Mayor Belot said.
“The operations and maintenance of the new facility, while crucial for the island’s development, environmental sustainability, and tourism development, pose a significant financial undertaking.
“Council faces a challenging decision about how to fund the ongoing operational costs of the wastewater treatment plant. We need to determine whether these costs will initially be covered the same way we cover our existing wastewater treatment plants in the Livingstone Shire, through user connection charges, or whether we look at options to spread the cost across the region like other community assets.
“As we deliberate on the upcoming financial decisions, we remain focused on equitable solutions that respect the contributions of all stakeholders.
“This decision impacts not just the current generation but future ones, and we are committed to transparency and equity in this process.”