The South Burnett Regional Council will apply for State Government assistance to carry out $2.483 million of upgrades to the Yallakool Tourist Park and Gordonbrook water treatment plant.
At a special meeting on Wednesday, the Council was told the Queensland Government has made $12.5 million available as part of the Local Government Grants and Subsidy Program for improvements to infrastructure, tourism facilities, business development and community facilities.
The new program provides funding for up to 40% of the costs of eligible projects, and Councils are required to fund the remaining 60%.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said the SBRC needed to construct a new amenities block at Yallakool and upgrade the existing treatment plant to ensure the park maintains its AAA Tourism three star rating.
He said Council also wanted to improve Gordonbrook’s water treatment with the installation of a new Dissolved Air Flotation plant and associated electrical and telemetry upgrading.
“It’s crucial we put in a funding application and seek possible funds the State Government has made available to councils,” the Mayor said.
“If we’re successful in our applications, the benefit will not only be for South Burnett residents but also for tourists.”
SBRC Manager for Water and Wastewater, Russell Hood, said the proposed upgrade to the Gordonbrook water treatment plant would alleviate blue-green algae issues and improve water quality.
“The total estimated costs to upgrade the wastewater plant and build a new amenities block at Yallakool is $583,000. The Gordonbrook water treatment plant upgrading is estimated to cost $1.9 million.”
The Council then resolved to make an application under the Local Government Grants and Subsidy Program.
