General News
15 October, 2025
Making certain water flows
REPAIRS to a vital Douglas Shire water intake system are to start soon but may not be fully finished before the start of the wet season.
Douglas Shire Council has approved nearly $616,000 to Koppen Construction to start the work at the Rex Creek intake to hopefully avoid the water shortages during the 2023-24 wet season.
However, a council report warned that not all of the job would be completed this year.
“Due to the long lead times for specific items the council has prioritised works to be done this year and the remainder to be done after the wet season given the long lead times,” it said.
“Although not ideal, the council is cognizant of the constraints associated with the project and identified a staged approach which will benefit the outcome.”
The report said flooding associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper resulted in extensive landslides and scouring of creeks (including Rex Creek) with the movement of large boulders, sand and debris impeding the race that feeds the raw water intake.
“This significantly impacted the raw water quality and treatment rates requiring repairs and safety improvements.
“During Cyclone Jasper, the concrete inlet structure and the primary coarse bar grate were damaged. Sand from the land slips clogged the channel from the intake as well as the raw water pipework from the gorge to the water treatment plant.
“Additionally, the electrical components of the Rex Creek Intake were damaged and require replacement.
“Future events could further damage the intake and channel and render it inoperable without remedial action.
“Safety issues also exist for staff, whereby accessing the inlet structure is challenging due to its low elevation and slippery conditions for maintenance workers responsible for clearing blockages from the inlet grate.
“Additionally, workers must manually lift existing slide gates to attempt to flush out sand.
“The proposed scope of new works includes a new inlet structure and grate, new raised walkways and platforms with handrails and harness anchorage points.
“The existing manual slide gates will be replaced with proprietary penstocks with mechanical winch handles. The complexity of the bypass works will require clear and comprehensive methodology to be developed to ensure the works are carried out safely.”
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