Following the switch-on of the new water treatment plant on 17th April Mayor Jenny Hill and Clr Margie Ryder called a meeting in the Paluma Community Hall on Sunday 29th April at 13.30 hrs. There was an attendance of some 24 residents all but one being members of the PDCA but they were the ones notified as the meeting was convened at short notice and written notice would not have fitted into our Tuesday and Friday mail delivery. PDCA President Jamie welcomed the Mayor and Cr Ryder and Mayor Hill went on to confirm that the water treatment plant was in operation 5 days a week leaving enough in storage to cover the other two days ; Saturday and Sunday. It is a Package Treatment Plant which strains the water through a system of membranes and tests have proved that the water is of Australia Standard quality and free of the Guardia and cryptospernum infestation which caused the problems over the last two years.
The Mayor said that there was spare capacity which might be taken up by the two environmental education centres although this would be at a cost to them. She also intimated that should Paluma expand there would be no difficulty in supplying additional housing with water. The likelihood of expansion in Paluma is minimal as no land is available in the area excised from the National Park/World Heritage Area which surrounds the village.
Discussion took place of factors that were of concern to residents. The provision of a raised platform at Star Valley lookout was mentioned with the suggestion that funds might be available through Queensland Tourism or by “work experience” programmes. The state of Hussey’s Road was brought up and investigation was promised. The trimming back of vegetation from the village to the Dam turnoff is to be dealt with, in time for the “Paluma Push”. Other items mentioned were the danger of pedal bikes descending the Range Road, Bulk rubbish collection.
The possibility of an inspection of the new water treatment plant on a Friday afternoon or, possibly, Saturday was brought up and to be investigated.