Douglas Shire Council has received an $800,000 windfall for the installation of smart water metres which will provide real-time monitoring of water use, help to detect faults and to potentially reduce water waste.

The Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, said the shire’s cash injection falls within the smart water metres under the Queensland Government’s $200 million COVID Works for Queensland (W4Q) program.

“Smart water metres will quickly detect unusual increases in water use, such as leaks that might otherwise not be detected for some weeks,” she said.

“Council and residents will be able to take faster action to save on costs and to save water.”

This project is one of four totalling $1.43 million allocated to Douglas Shire.

“The projects will support 33 jobs and will help the shire to better recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Ms Lui said the council would be able to upgrade aerators and diffusers at its Wastewater Treatment Plant with $290,000 in funding.

“An injection of $220,000 will allow council to carry out works at the Mossman Caravan Park and Pool,” she said.

“They will be able to replace the lean-to camp kitchen roof, upgrade the kitchen area, get a new barbecue, fit out the kiosk, carry out landscaping, buy a LED screen, install equipment for dive-in movies, upgrade the office entry and rewire the residence above the pool.”

Meanwhile, council will be able to upgrade the front entry access at the Mossman Pool to comply with disability standards at a cost of $120,000.

The W4Q program will fund up to 123 projects in Ms Lui’s electorate of Cook, which councils expect will create or support 890 local jobs.

The program is part of the Queensland Government’s $6 billion economic recovery strategy Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.

Ms Lui said the projects would make a huge difference to the region.