Of Cairns’ $785.6 million 2026–27 Budget, nearly 22 per cent of this will be spent on water and wastewater infrastructure.

Cairns Regional Council revealed $308 million of capital expenditure for the coming financial year, with $136.6 million to be spent on water infrastructure and $33 million to be spent on wastewater infrastructure.

Stage 1 of the Cairns Water Security project is a key part of this, where $472 million is being spent all up to revitalise the Queensland city’s drinking water supply. A 30km pipeline is being developed, along with a new water treatment plant at Gordonvale, and a new water intake at the Mulgrave River.

Council is also carrying much-needed remediation works to bring two reservoirs back online, with a $24 million project at Bayview and Brinsmead reservoirs involving roof replacements and relining, with hopes to bring the facilities back online in time for the wet season later this year.

The reservoirs were taken offline in mid-2024 for maintenance and refurbishment, which revealed the need for pressing remediation works.

Cairns Regional Council chief executive officer Ken Gouldthorp provided more detail on these works.

“Investing in the $24 million critical roof replacement works will assist to safeguard our water supply where treatment pauses due to maintenance or heavy rain,” he said.

“During the wetter months, heavy downpours can cause dirty water that can’t filter through our system. When this occurs, we are reliant on water stored in our reservoirs until treatment can recommence.

“We’ve effectively managed consistent water supply through the past two years, with a lot of effort. The community have been a huge support, adhering to permanent water conservation measures and two temporary water restriction periods.”

Elsewhere in the 2026–27 Budget, Cairns Regional Council will allocate $33 million for wastewater infrastructure, $10.8 million for waste management and $18.8 million for disaster recovery works.

“With our population projected to increase by more than 72,000 people by 2050, the need for sensible and sustainable financial management has never been more important,” Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said.

“This Budget is about meeting today’s challenges while continuing to build for the future.”

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