September 26, 2017
Cherbourg Mayor Arnold Murray has welcomed $3.9 million State Government funding to improve water and waste infrastructure at Cherbourg.
He said local residents would be trained to manage the facilities, which would be a crucial part of the multi-million package by the State Government.
“That’s one of the great outcomes of this program, seeing the council staff develop the skills to manage the infrastructure and projects moving forward,” Mayor Murray said.
Local Government Minister and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Mark Furner said the funding had come from the $120 million Indigenous Councils Critical Infrastructure Program and would improve water, waste water and solid waste infrastructure at Cherbourg.
“The funding is tailored … to ensure the projects identified meet the specific needs of Cherbourg,” Mr Furner said.
“Engineers have worked with the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to assess the current capabilities of their water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure and identified projects which will improve the long-term health of the community.”
Mr Furner said functioning waste and water infrastructure was taken for granted across the majority of Queensland and it should be no different in Aboriginal communities.
“This is about ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to the infrastructure that will improve the liveability of their communities,” Mr Furner said.
“Projects such as replacing the rising main to the water treatment plant and a new waste facility will help to provide a sustainable future for Cherbourg and the Council will develop the skills to manage the infrastructure.”
