Townsville Water Update

16 February, water quality testing continues to show that Townsville City Council’s efforts to address discoloration of water are working, but the process is ongoing.

As announced on Friday, Council has reconfigured water intake levels at Ross River Dam and enhanced treatment processes at the Douglas Water Treatment Plant to mitigate discoloration.

The water continues to meet all applicable health standards and is safe to drink and these changes have resulted in improvements in the colour of the water is distributed throughout the city’s water network.

However, with changes in the weather impacting blue green algae levels in the dam, it continues to be a balancing act.

Council is working closely with highly-regarded water quality experts, Hunter H2O, to ensure we have the best experts from around Australia working around the clock to resolve the issue.

Some pockets of the city will continue to experience discoloration at times as the system returns to normal.

Residents will see council crews out flushing water mains to provide further relief from discoloration.

Council thanks the community for their continued patience and understanding.

Procurement Meetings

Business owners can now sign up for one-on-one meetings with Townsville City Council’s procurement team to learn about Council’s procurement process.

From July last year until January this year Townsville City Council spent $129 million with local businesses, helping to provide jobs to locals and to boost the economy.

Business Services and Finance Committee chairperson Margie Ryder said meetings with Council’s procurement team were offered face to face, as well as digitally.

“It’s simple for local businesses to get involved – just book through EventBrite and sign up to a free 30-minute digital session with a procurement team member,” Cr Ryder said.

“These sessions are ideal for any business that is looking at becoming a Council supplier. Each session covers information on how the quoting and tendering process works, supplier requirements and any opportunities Council has for businesses.”

Cr Ryder said Council was committed to engaging Townsville-based suppliers.

“Supporting local businesses is a focus at Council, and in the financial year to date Council has spent almost $130 million with local businesses. Council wants to do what it can to give businesses the tools they need to take part in the Council tender process,” she said.

“Our sessions will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 4pm until May 27.”

For more information and to book in, visit EventBrite.

Street Lights Installed at Mount Louisa

Townsville City Council is installing new street lights on a high-traffic Mount Louisa road to help pedestrians feel safer on the street.

The lighting upgrades on Bayswater Rd and Weston St will include more than 20 street lights and are funded as part of the Queensland Government’s Works For Queensland Round 3 (W4Q3) program.

Infrastructure Services Committee chairperson Kurt Rehbein said the new lights would be hugely beneficial to pedestrians and motorists.

“Council is committed to updating infrastructure across the city. Adding new lights will help increase visibility in the area and help discourage crime,” Cr Rehbein said.

“Council will be installing lights along Bayswater Rd and Weston St, between the eastern roundabout at Crestbrook Dr and Woolcock St. This is about a kilometre of high-traffic road that will be safer for people walking in the area thanks to the addition of new lights.”

Cr Rehbein, who is also the representative for division seven, said the new lights would put the finishing touches on that area of Mount Louisa.

“This is a very busy section of road, especially now that the Mount Louisa Walking Track has opened up to the public,” he said.

“Council has been working to unlock Mount Louisa’s potential as our city grows towards the north, and adding better lighting to this area is a fantastic way to make this part of the suburb feel safer for residents and visitors to the neighbourhood.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the works were funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.

“I am thrilled that Mount Louisa is going to benefit from the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Round 3, which has allocated $200 million in funding to support regional Councils undertaking job-creating maintenance and infrastructure projects,” Mr Stewart said.

“Townsville has been fortunate enough to benefit from close to $70 million of infrastructure investment across the three rounds of works for Queensland, which is a great result for our region.”

Cr Rehbein said the installation of the lights started this month.

“Council’s construction crews are delivering the installation, which helps keeps costs low, while Downer Engineering Electrical is contracted to do the electrical work. The project will cost $410,000,” he said.

“Works are expected to last for about six weeks, weather permitting.

“During the next couple of months Council will also be starting work on a footpath project on Bayswater Rd between St Lucia Drive and IGA, as well as a widening and resurfacing project near Woolcock St. I’m looking forward to seeing these improvements made to Mount Louisa this year.”

Organisations Join Force to Protect Great Barrier Reef

Community organisations have joined forces to protect the north’s most iconic attraction – the Great Barrier Reef – from litter pollution.

Townsville City Council in a joint venture with the Port of Townsville, the Townsville Local Marine Advisory Committee and Tangaroa Blue Foundation have installed 18 stormwater litter traps across the CBD – bringing the total amount of traps in the city to 40.

The traps – funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s partnership with the Australian Government’s Reef Trust – prevent litter from making their way through the stormwater systems into the city’s waterways. 

Townsville Water and Waste Committee chairperson Russ Cook said since the install of the first 22 litter traps, over 200kg of litter had been stopped from making it into Townsville’s waterways.

“The litter traps have been cleaned out twice since they were installed mid last year, and almost 11,000 pieces of litter were prevented from reaching our waterways, with the most littered items being cigarette butts and filters,” Cr Cook said.

“With another 18 litter traps, and the funding for another two rounds of servicing and sorting, we can begin to stop even more litter from making it into our water courses and use the data to inform strategies to prevent littering.”

Port of Townsville General Manager Infrastructure & Environment Marissa Wise said that the Port was extremely pleased to be involved in this community effort to reduce litter being carried into the Great Barrier Reef.  

“The Port has been undertaking environmental monitoring of Cleveland Bay for more than two decades and being part of the installation and monitoring of litter traps is an extension of the work we have undertaken to keep the Bay healthy,’’ she said.

“This is a great example of council, business and community organisations working together to improve the environment.’’

Chief Executive Officer of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation Heidi Tait said that projects like this are crucial for informing policy and anti-littering initiatives.

“Volunteers across the country invest their time participating in clean-up events, but projects like the Strain the Drains Litter Traps Audits are a vital step in understanding where the marine debris on our beaches originates from,” Ms Tait said.

“Data collected during this project is submitted into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database which is used at local, state and federal levels to stop the flow of litter into our oceans.”

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said every Australian has a role to play in saving this irreplaceable ecosystem.

“Through these grants we’re bringing together people and science with practical local actions to save our Reef and its marine life,” Ms Marsden said.

“These grants deliver practical, on-ground actions, including everything from promoting sustainable fishing to improving creek habitats and reducing litter and marine debris entering the Reef catchments.

“These projects will add to the more than 60 Reef-saving projects the Foundation is delivering right now with more than 65 partners.”

The next sorting event is being hosted by the Port of Townsville on 18 February at the Maritime Museum and anyone interested in volunteering on the day can email heidi@tangaroablue.org.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Local Action projects are funded by the partnership with the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.

Ask a Kitten to be Yours Furever This Valentine’s Day

Adopt a cat or kitten from Townsville City Council’s Animal Care and Adoption Centre to be your Valentine meow and furever.

Cats and kittens are now available to adopt for 50 per cent off their usual prices until February 27, reducing the cost of adopting a cat to $49.50 and a kitten to $90.

Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said there was no better time to share the love with a new pet.

“The cats and kittens we have up for adoption right now could be just what you’re looking for to add a little extra love to your life,” Cr Soars said.

“All of our cats and kittens are de-sexed, wormed, microchipped and they have had their first vaccination, so they’re ready to go home with you straight away. The sale price also includes a permit to keep your new cat.”

Cr Soars said anyone was welcome to book an appointment to see if there was a cat or kitten at the centre for them.

“Our team at the Animal Care and Adoption Centre does temperament assessments on our cats and kittens to make sure they are ready to be welcomed into a new home, so book in to see them,” he said.

“It’s easy to book, just call 0457 769 362 and pick a time to come in and meet the cats that are looking for their new home.

“You can have a little preview of the animals up for adoption by heading to the Animal Care and Adoption Centre webpage on Council’s website.”

To see the cats available for adoption at the Animal Care and Adoption Centre, visit Council’s website.