A collaborative approach to fixing sewer pipes has saved the State Government and taxpayers more than $2 million.
The Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP) and the five councils that form the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC): Bundaberg, Gympie, Fraser Coast, North and South Burnett have joined forces to tackle the problem of sewer maintenance.
The group put the mammoth task of relining their sewer networks up for tender through a joint procurement process. Realising they could also benefit, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council plugged into the project; a collaboration that resulted in some surprising savings.
The joint procurement and a decision to reline the pipes rather than replace Cherbourg’s wastewater network saved a total of $2.6 million. Even without Cherbourg’s involvement in the arrangement it’s estimated to save councils more than $300, 000 in one year.
Arron Hieatt, Principal advisor for water and sewerage infrastructure said the success of the project is promising for future endeavours.
“This success not only exemplifies how well a collaborative approach can work, it also highlights that you don’t always have to replace the asset; delaying it through smart interim measures can result in huge savings.” Mr. Hieatt said.
Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Mark Furner said the WBBROC Water Alliance was an example of local, forward thinking leadership delivering good results for local communities.
“This is a collaboration delivering economies of scale and extending the life of essential council infrastructure efficiently, and at lower cost,” Mr Furner said.
WBBROC Executive Officer Joe Veraa said the approach also had benefits through smart project management,
“Because all six councils worked together, the work could be aligned so that one project follows another. This saved us half or $60, 000 in mobilisation costs; the costs of moving machinery from one place to another.” Mr Veraa said.
The Queensland Water Regional Alliance program (QWRAP) comprises the LGAQ, QLD Water, the Department of Energy and Water Supply and over 30 participating councils.