By Emily-Rose Toohey
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) allocated $520,000 in the Second Quarter Budget Review to improve water supply to the Stanthorpe Showgrounds and the Stanthorpe Northern Water Supply Zone.
This budget allocation was decided at the SDRC Ordinary Council Meeting on 27 January, and will include design, internal management, and oversight costs.
During fire flow testing for compliance purposes, the showgrounds found its existing water supply was unable to meet current fire flow and pressure requirements.
Council has been liaising with the Stanthorpe Agricultural Society to find a solution.
The report presented at council said two options have been considered, including an on-site solution involving tanks and booster pumps, or network improvements.
For option one, Stanthorpe Agricultural Society had sourced a quotation to address fire safety compliance via the installation of tanks and pressure pumps.
The estimated cost was in the vicinity of $340,000.
For option two, engineering consulting firm Morris Water identified that the existing water network did not deliver adequate standards of service in a number of areas within SDRC.
This includes the Stanthorpe Showgrounds.
A list of infrastructure upgrades was therefore developed and submitted for SDRC’s review.
Cr Ross Bartley said water pressure regulations have changed since the original systems were put in place.
“I think it’s going to be a significant problem for the region, not just any town in particular,” Cr Bartley said.
“We’re going to have to start lobbying for some funding outside of this organisation – going to state and federal.
“It needs to be up to firefighting standard otherwise we’ll be compromised as council.”
Agreeing with Cr Bartley, SDRC Mayor Vic Pennisi said a lot of these issues have been forced upon council due to additional regulations.
“Acknowledging the problem is the right thing to do,” Cr Pennisi said.
“They’ll be plenty of this coming out in the not so distant future.”
The motion was moved by Cr Andrew Gale and seconded by Cr Stephen Tancred.
