Access to clean water for campers and caravanners travelling through a coastal gateway has just improved, with the opening of an upgraded fill station.
The water station at Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach has been improved with the construction of a new concrete pad, relocated fencing and the addition of water services with backflow devices and a new dump point with lid.
The station is now coin and card operated with a $1 access fee.
Gympie Regional Council director of infrastructure services Graham O’Byrne said the previous site was in a state of disrepair.
“Rainbow Beach is the gateway to K’gari and Inskip Point (and) thousands of travellers frequent the area to camp with minimal facilities,” he said.
“Having access to affordable, clean drinking water is a benefit to the travellers and the greater community that visit.”
It was funded from the Queensland Government’s Fishing Infrastructure Grant, with the balance funded from the council.
Mr O’Byrne said the access fee would help with the upkeep on the facility.
“The previous site had no charge to travellers but cost ratepayers approximately $50,000 per year in unallocated water,” he said.
“The $1 access fee is to pay for the water used, which is more in line with other councils and water entities around Australia.
“The money will be used to maintain the facility and associated infrastructure.”
Mr O’Byrne said facilities to support travellers were important to locations such as Rainbow Beach that service travellers.
“Rainbow Beach is 72km from the nearest major township (Gympie). Being so far away means that travellers are required to bring their own water, which would equate to further costs in fuel having to carry the extra weight in water in a caravan,” he said.
“The facility simply provides the convenience of water provision for the general traveller. It’s great to promote the area as traveller friendly place to holiday with the facilities to match.”
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