Water Board chief executive officer Ian Pascoe said he was still finalising the details and hoped to officially call for expressions of interest as soon as next week.

The decision for a public expression of interest was made at a Mount Isa Water Board meeting on Monday.

Mr Pascoe said the decision was made to ensure the process of selecting a new facility operator was open and transparent.

Although the Water Board announced earlier this year it would close the facility, the official closure took place on Tuesday.

And since making the announcement, the Water Board has been looking for a body to take over the facility.

Mr Pascoe said the board had been “surprised” by the number of interested parties that had enquired with Mount Isa City Council (MICC) and the Water Board about possibly taking over the facility.

Mount Isa City Council chief executive officer Bhan Pratap said the council had facilitated two meetings between the Mount Isa Water Board and an interested community group last month.

However, the Water Board decided on Monday to make the public call.

It is believed a business plan will be among the requirements of groups wishing to lodge their interest.

Mr Pascoe said a number of interested parties, primarily community groups, had been shown through the property in recent weeks.

However, he said some groups had been reluctant to commit to taking over the facility because of the financial issues.

Mr Pascoe said the facility currently cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain each year yet only earns annual revenue of only about $20,000.

A Lake Moondarra worker moved into the caretaker’s cottage yesterday to ensure the facility was kept secure while the expression process took place.

Mr Pascoe said he was hopeful the Water Board would find a new operator for the camp site.