February 8, 2019
A $2 million water treatment plant will be built at Linville to secure a long-term water supply for the community, which has been relying on carted water for the past six years.
The existing plant, constructed in 1970, was forced to close after the 2013 floods damaged the facility.
Since then, Seqwater has supplied drinking water for Linville’s 400 or so residents by tanker from the nearby Kilcoy water treatment plant.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said supplying water to residents by tanker had always been an interim solution.
“In the long-term it is more economical, reliable and effective to re-build the Linville plant and ensure local water supply security well into the future,” Dr Lynham said.
“The new plant will be a larger facility and will house an improved water quality monitoring station to better detect any contaminants in the raw water and have improved treatment capabilities.
“It will have upgraded filters and ultraviolet disinfection capabilities for added protection.”
The new plant will source its water from a local Brisbane River bore.
Seqwater CEO Neil Brennan said early survey work for the project began late last year.
Construction is scheduled to begin in July.
“Construction is expected to take six months, subject to weather conditions, and will involve the removal and replacement of the current plant and its equipment,” Mr Brennan said.
“Drinking water will continue to be supplied to the Linville community by tanker from the Kilcoy water treatment plant while the new plant is completed.”
Residents can stay up-to-date with the progress via www.seqwater.com.au/works
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Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the Linville community had finally been heard.
“I have been asking SeqWater for years when the new plant would be constructed, and all we have seen is delay after delay,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Originally, I was told it would be re-constructed in 2016. Instead, the Labor Government have been trucking water into the township every day and people rightly want to know what this has cost taxpayers.
“It’s great to finally have this win for Linville, but I’ll be asking the Labor Government more questions when Parliament returns on February 12, including the cost-to-date of water cartage and why Linville has had to wait so long for a secure water supply.
“The community of Linville deserve a medal for the patience they have shown in waiting seven years for this new plant.”
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