POOL REDEVELOPMENT TENDER AWARDED

Mount Morgan is one step closer to having a new aquatic centre following the successful appointment of a contractor to carry out the works.

The tender was awarded to Taylor Builders who have commenced preconstruction works including detailed design.

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga welcomed the initial works thanks to an investment by the Palaszczuk Government.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering for regional Queensland, and ensuring that the benefits of the resources industry stay here.

“When the resources industry goes well, it should be locals who benefit and with this $4.5 million investment through the Palaszczuk Government’s Resources Community Infrastructure Fund we’re making sure of it.

“The investment is a boon for our region, creating good local jobs and upgrading services throughout Rockhampton Regional Queensland.

“Local families will be able to use the upgraded pool in Mount Morgan and enjoy the best of the worldclass lifestyle we have here in regional Queensland.”

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams congratulated Taylor Builders on being awarded the tender.

“Taylor Builders are a very experienced pool builder specialising in remote and regional pools which is perfect for the Mount Morgan pool redevelopment project,” Mayor Williams said.

“The tender went through our rigorous, multi-criteria analysis and Taylor Builders was selected by the panel as the best overall option.”

The Mount Morgan pool redevelopment has received $4.5 million through the Palaszczuk Government’s Resources Community Infrastructure Fund (RCIF) and Rockhampton Regional Council.

“We are extremely grateful for the funding received that will allow the community of Mount Morgan to have a pool that meets contemporary competition criteria,” Mayor Williams said.

“This means the kids of Mount Morgan will have more opportunity and be able to train in the same standard of facility that their competitor do.

“The new facility will also be fully accessible for people with disabilities, opening up more options for exercise and recreation for everyone in the community.”

Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford and Councillor for Parks, Sport and Public Spaces agreed that the new pool will be quite the upgrade from the previous pool.

“Council decided to put in some additional funding to deliver the facility to the standard the community needs, bringing the total project cost to $6.5 million,” Cr Rutherford said.

“We have taken on board input from the community consultation that was undertaken last November and I’m pleased to say that this is being incorporated into the design.

“Stay tuned as we will be releasing more information on the design and how the community’s feedback shaped this in the coming weeks.”

A meeting was held on 9 November 2022 where attendees had an opportunity to weigh in on the design elements of the pool.

BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOM HIGH

Blue Green Algae levels have returned to high in the No. 7 Dam at Mount Morgan and Council is asking residents to continue to avoid swimming and undertaking any water sports at the dam until further notice.

The algal bloom started late last year and while the levels had dropped to medium at the last two reads, recent testing has shown that it is high once again.

Algal bloom is not an unusual occurrence. Decomposing vegetation combined with inflows from surrounding catchments have increased the nutrient density of the water, resulting in this latest algal bloom.

Council officers will continue regularly testing and monitoring the situation.

Rockhampton Regional Council is committed to the safety of Mount Morgan residents and will notify the community when it is safe to recommence activities in the dam.

To check the blue green algae levels see here https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov. au/CouncilServices/Fitzroy-River-Water/Waternotifications-and-figures/Blue-green-algae-levels

For more information on Blue Green Algae visit the CSIRO website: https://www.csiro.au/en/research/ natural-environment/ecosystems/blue-greenalgae/what-are-blue-green-algae