MOUNT Isa City Council's decision to prioritise the sewer system augmentation has been thoroughly explored with all other options exhausted, and budgeted for since 2008, mayoral candidate Duncan Cunningham said yesterday.
The leader of the Mount Isa Community Team for the local government elections said the sewer system was in a poor state and at capacity in most parts of the city.
"There is an urgent need for repairs/upgrades to avert catastrophic failure," he said.
"Both council's engineers and consultants have found that unchecked, ongoing development infill of the city over the past 20 years or more has finally brought the system past the safe operating margins.
"Because of its poor condition, 25 to 30 homes and yards are affected on average by sewerage overflows each heavy wet season."
Cr Cunningham said if the main pump station fails (which is possible due to old age and service load), ratepayers will be faced with a sizeable clean-up bill of hundreds of megalitres of raw sewerage flowing into the Depot Creek or similar.
He said (mayor candidate) Tony McGrady's suggestion of installing a water and sewerage infrastructure at the new developments is flawed.
"A stand-alone sewerage treatment plant option at Healy Heights was investigated and found to be unfeasible. "Primarily, the sewer treatment plant (STP) has to be located above the 1-in-100 flood zone, and the limited land provided to council meant the plant would need to be located in the development area, causing issues with aesthetics and odour."
That option is also not feasible while there is spare capacity at the existing treatment plant, he said, citing increased operating costs of the sewerage system with a duplication solely for the purpose of Healy Heights.
"This is a cost undoubtedly borne by the ratepayer."
Cr Cunningham said it was necessary to put the council's sewer project above housing developments because it addresses all infrastructure issues, including contractors with required expertise and experience who have not been locally available.
"Ratepayers can be assured that council will ensure the project is cost-effective, and still achieve the necessary upgrade the sewerage system needs.
"Council is clear on the need to increase housing and has been working on the housing developments."
He said developers have been engaged to create a master plan for Gliderport, and to sell the remaining blocks of Healy Heights.
"These blocks will be on sale whichever council wins the elections," he said.
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