Council awards major contracts

Council has approved a $9 million contract to construct a new sewage pumping station in North Cairns.

Located at the corner of Sheridan and Lily streets, it is the largest sewage pumping station operating in Cairns, taking wastewater from the Cairns CBD and Edge Hill residential catchments to the Northern Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The existing pump station is currently 65 years old and is at the end of its useful life.

The new pump station, expected to be completed November 2021, will be able to meet the capacity requirements for the catchment, accommodate future connections from upstream catchments, and address odour issues.

The contract was awarded to Koppens Developments Pty Ltd.

Council also awarded a $3.3 million contract for an upgrade to the water intake at Crystal Cascades, which supplies the Freshwater Creek Water Treatment Plant.

The current screening arrangement at the intake is approaching the end of its useful life and requires replacement in order to maintain operational efficiency and continuity of raw water supply to the treatment plant.

In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the intake structure and walkways to the intake are proposed to be upgraded in order to minimise the effect of blockages during significant flood events and reduce the risk of damage to the screening equipment from rock falls.

The new water intake is expected to be completed March 2021.

The contract was awarded to NQ Engineering & Fabrication Pty Ltd.