Community
1 December, 2021
Funding Close to Finalised
RESIDENTIAL property owners in the Port Hinchinbrook area will face an annual ‘utility charge’ of $3,000 or more
Annual ‘utility charge’ of $3,000 or more as Cassowary Coast Regional Council moves closer towards upgrading and taking the inadequate existing sewerage system out of privately owned hands to a publicly maintained and managed asset.
Council says it has made a commitment that the rest of its ratepayers will not help foot the bill of most of the capital expenditure on the major sewerage upgrade, and its future ongoing maintenance and running costs.
A virtually new Cardwell Sewerage Treatment Plant will be built, the great majority of which will be funded by the state and federal governments at an estimated cost of $14.3-million.
Of that amount, the state has committed $6.3-million and after being invited by the federal government, Council has also applied for $6-million from Canberra, which it hopes will be confirmed by early December. Council is seeking further funding for the shortfall of around $2-million.
“Council are currently advocating for additional funding to meet this gap and modelling the impact borrowings would have on the residents of the Port Hinchinbrook development,” a Council spokesperson said.
“Council, the state government and the liquidator are nearing agreement for a license agreement for the development that would secure the ongoing maintenance of wastewater within the development whilst the normalisation process is finalised.”
Council hopes to have clarity regarding the funding within a few weeks, with an update expected at their meeting on December 9.
This will also cover the dredging of One Mile Creek and “normalisation” of Port Hinchinbrook’s sewerage system.
It is also expected to confirm the utility charge for a domestic connection to the new system.
“Council anticipate that the sewerage utility charge, associated with taking the facility from a privately owned asset to a publicly maintained facility, could be upwards of $3,000 per year,” the spokesperson said.
The December 9 meeting expects to also hear an update on funding for the proposed “emergency dredging” of One Mile Creek, to allow better access for boat owners and the Coast Guard to Port Hinchinbrook channel.
