Flinders Shire Council is forging ahead with work to secure the region’s water supply, with a tender for the design of a new water treatment plant kicking off the ‘Flinders Full Bore’ project.

Backed by $20 million in state funding, the project also includes planning for sewerage treatment plant upgrades, new water supply infrastructure and improvements to strategic bore assets.

Mayor Kate Peddle said the strong response to a market sounding for the Hughenden Water Treatment Plant design development tender was a defining milestone for the project and proof that it was well and truly out of the planning phase.

“After two long years of advocacy, planning and persistence, we are finally at the point where we can say this is not just a plan anymore. It’s happening, it’s underway and we are going full bore,” Cr Peddle said.

Flinders Full Bore is funded by the Queensland Government through the $50 million CopperString Community Benefit Fund.

A ground-breaking ceremony this morning has officially kicked off construction on the $60 million SkyHaven project, a short-term accommodation development at Cairns Airport.

SkyHaven is being developed and delivered by MiHaven, with Mandala Hotels & Resorts as operator and CBA as key financier.

Stage 1 of the project, comprising 98 rooms, is now underway, with completion expected within 18 to 24 months and Stage 2 (a further 88 rooms) slated to commence in mid-2027.

“Cairns Airport is currently the only airport of its size in Australasia without onsite accommodation,” Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said.

“SkyHaven is a significant development for both Cairns Airport and the broader Far North Queensland community.”

A Shamrock Civil-led construction project has kicked off at Townsville Airport to deliver 300 additional parking spaces across the airport precinct.

Townsville Airport general manager Arron McLean said the multimillion-dollar expansion was a direct response to growing passenger numbers and the increasing demand for parking at the airport.

“We’re continuing to see strong travel demand in North Queensland and this project is an important investment in ensuring our airport infrastructure keeps pace with that growth,” Mr McLean said.

Burdekin Shire Council has announced the completion of the Ayr Industrial Estate Expansion.

The project has transformed land adjacent to the existing industrial estate into a fully serviced industrial precinct, creating 19 new industrial lots in stage 1.

The council said the development included new roads, drainage, water, sewerage and underground power infrastructure to support future industrial growth in the Burdekin.

“This is one of the most significant economic development projects delivered by council in recent years and represents an investment in the future of the Burdekin,” Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said.

“The hard work is done. The infrastructure is in place, the land is ready, and now we’re inviting businesses and investors to be part of the next chapter of the Burdekin’s growth story.”

The State Government has announced it will invest $27.75 million in four projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development across South-West Queensland. 

The investments include: 

• $1.85 million in funding for Balonne Shire Council to upgrade the Dirranbandi’s stormwater pumping station, deliver new and upgraded water mains, extend the sewer main and provide new footpaths. 
• $17 million for Southern Downs Regional Council to deliver upgrades to inlet screening infrastructure at the Warwick Wastewater Treatment Plant and to the Cleary Street sewer pump station and rising main. It will also deliver 3km of sewer mains and a new nine-megalitre clear-water storage reservoir. 
• $6 million for Quilpie Shire Council to deliver essential infrastructure to support Stage 2 of the Powerhouse Residential Estate.
• $2.9 million in Goondiwindi to deliver road and intersection upgrades, stormwater drainage, water and sewer mains, and electrical and telecommunications infrastructure.