Once in a generation water alliance endorsed by Council
Published on 02 April 2026
It’s all systems go for Gympie Regional Council when it comes to long-term planning for water security in the region, but we now need the Federal and State Government to make it happen on the ground.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said Council this week endorsed SRG Global Utilities and WSP Australia Pty Ltd as its partners to roll out a plan to secure the region’s water supply, with the program, once funded, set to account for a significant portion of Council’s forward capital works schedule.
“This is a landmark partnership for this Region and once works get started, will provide and then deliver the new or improved essential water and infrastructure services we need to keep pace with the growing needs of the region,” Mayor Hartwig said.
“The alliance marks the culmination of years of work to advocate, collaborate, and plan for the future, with a firm sight on securing our water – our most precious resource.
“But we also need our other partners, the State and Federal Government, to make it happen.
“Council is currently preparing submissions to go to both levels of government for funding in next year’s budget. I know we have the support of our local State Member for Parliament for Gympie, Tony Perrett, in doing this and we will continue to work with his office as we progress.
“These submissions outline that we are dealing with a significant challenge to manage ageing water infrastructure right across this region. The endorsement of the alliance underpins our commitment to tackling these issues head on, while not forgetting the work that must continue to provide essential services to our growing region.
“We’ve worked hard in recent years to build relationships with other levels of government, and advocate for fairer funding to secure trunk infrastructure and ultimately ease housing pressures.
“Today we continue to see the results of those efforts with Council receiving state government funding towards Phase 1 of the new Gympie Water Treatment Plant, under our long-term water strategy. “
The alliance agreement come off the back of the adoption of a new water security strategy last year and provides a significant step forward in addressing the constraints of ageing assets while also delivering new service infrastructure needed for our community in the years to come.
“In short - we are ready to go. We have an important well-planned project and the through the alliance, the capability to be construction ready,” Cr Hartwig said.
“We now need the investment from our State and Federal governments to help secure safe and reliable drinking water for the Gympie region.”
Council’s delivery of water infrastructure planning and construction is ongoing and ranges from large-scale projects such as the construction of a new water treatment plant, new trunk water and waste-water infrastructure servicing our growing region, to smaller and medium-scale renewal and upgrade works across the Gympie Region.
Council will now start working with the new Alliance Partner to both commence high priority works at the Gympie Water Treatment Plant while also continuing the ongoing planning for Council’s annual and long-term Capital Works Program.
For more information about the Gympie Water Strategy 2024-2050 visit Water Security Strategy 2024 - 2050 | Gympie Regional Council
ENDS