General News
10 September, 2025
Every drop counts
THE first stage of the new $16.4 million raw water intake and pre-treatment plant on the Mossman River is underway.
The search is on for a company to design, build and commission the project which is essential to secure the Douglas Shire’s long-term water future. Work is expected to start next year and be completed by mid-2027.
The council has received funding through the National Water Grid Fund’s Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative with a project cost of $16.4 million, including $10m of funding by the Australian and Queensland governments.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the opening of the formal request for tender (RFT) signalled strong momentum for the project.
“The strong turnout at a recent briefing and site inspection shows just how much interest there is in being part of this generational project,” she said.
“This is about securing our water future for decades to come and it’s encouraging to see so many experienced contractors eager to contribute.”
The new proposal will play a vital role in strengthening water security, supporting population growth, tourism and climate resilience. An additional 2000 million litres per year will be added to the Douglas Shire water network when the new intake is operational. In 2016, the council undertook a water demand analysis and source options assessment for the water catchment.
It considered various population growth scenarios and demand management strategies.
The conclusion was that an alternative source of raw water was required to deal with the increased demand.
A preferred site was identified on the Mossman River, adjacent to the council-owned Drumsara property.
A detailed design for the Mossman River intake has been concluded.
The new intake will be in addition to the existing Rex Creek intake which currently supplies all the treated water needs of Port Douglas, Craiglie and Mossman.
The new Mossman River intake would only be activated when required, which will typically be during the drier months of the year.
A council report said a second intake would improve water security and the level of service for users of treated water in Port Douglas, Craiglie and Mossman.
“The Rex Creek intake provides water for the Mossman–Port Douglas water scheme which serves about 7000 people” the report said.
“As the water level in Rex Creek drops at the intake, typically during the drier months of the year, water restrictions are progressively introduced to encourage water users to reduce their usage.
“After Cyclone Jasper, the Rex Creek Intake could not be used due to high turbidity from the landslips upstream. The second intake will provide an alternate supply in the event that the primary intake cannot be used.
“Once operational, the modelling indicates there should no longer be a requirement to progress to level 3 or level 4 water restrictions, except under exceptional circumstances.”
The new intake is located off Mossman Gorge Road, about 5km downstream of the Mossman Gorge Visitors Centre.
The system will include a submerged gallery intake, which extracts water through the river bed and pump station.
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