General News
7 September, 2026
Water bills to increase
RATEPAYERS face paying on average an extra $143 a year in their water bills to pay for the $11 million operating costs of the Cairns water security project stage one at Gordonvale.
Major construction ended on the $472m project this week, funded by $195m each from the state and federal governments, as well as $82m from Cairns Regional Council.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the project, which will supply an extra six gigalitres of water annually, “gives us the confidence that when Mother Nature calls, we’ll still be able to be operational and keep going”.
“Ratepayers will bear all operating costs. So, best estimations and the calculations at this stage are looking around $11 million a year to run,” she said.
With construction completed, contractors will connect the power, start pumping water through the structures and then start commissioning all the various systems progressively before bringing the whole plant online.
The process is expected to take four months, then move into a testing phase for tanks, reservoirs, pipes and pumps. It is expected to come online mid-next year.
The project includes a new water intake at the Mulgrave River, a new water treatment plant and water reservoirs at Gordonvale.
It also includes supporting infrastructure to connect the new intake to the existing water network, as well as flood resilience works at council’s Behana Creek intake to improve the quality and resilience of that water supply.
Labor’s Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the project was “an indication of what can work when we put aside politics, we sit down and we deliver what is best for our community”.
“The Cairns region is already feeling the flow on effects of delivering a major infrastructure project locally, with more than $144m injected into the local economy through partnerships with 164 local businesses,” he said.
“So far during construction, the project has created jobs, with more than 1343 people employed to work on the project, including a range of businesses – formwork, earthworks, pipe laying and other construction requirements.”
State Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the project was an important investment in the region’s future.
“This is a significant milestone for the Cairns region and it’s great to see this important project moving closer to completion,” he said.
“Greater water security will support our growing community and give local families and businesses confidence that we have a reliable and resilient water supply for the future.”
