Extensive modelling reduces Traveston Dam impact: Bligh

The Traveston Crossing Dam’s finalised plan has the number of homes and properties affected reduced by 403, Deputy Premier Anna Bligh told State Parliament this morning.

Ms Bligh said that the Traveston Crossing and Wyaralong Dams (separate release) are major projects and their importance to South East Queensland’s water future cannot be overstated.

“Significantly, the realignment of the Dam wall and the reduction in the Traveston Crossing Dam area means that the number of homes and properties affected has been reduced by 403.

The final dam wall alignment and subsequent detailed flood modelling means that a total of 597 properties - not the original 1000 - will be affected by dam inundation or road alignment changes.

“We have a reduced the dam’s impact, but we still get the same yield. This is a good outcome and we have made Gympie safer.”

Geotechnical investigation has allowed the realignment of the dam wall and more accurate flood modelling has reduced the overall land needed from 13700 hectares to 9800 hectares.

Geotechnical investigation has identified the new alignment has desired solid rock foundations on both left and right abutments as well as the centre section.

This quality of foundation has now confirmed that, from an engineering perspective, this is an excellent site for the dams construction.

Traveston Crossing Stage 1, which is estimated to cost $1.7 billion, has a completion date of 2011 and Stage 2, if required, by 2035.

Stage 1’s capacity is now 153,000 megalitres with a yield of 70,000 megalitres. The completed Stage 2, by 2035 will have a capacity of a massive 570,000 megalitres with a yield of up to 150,000 megalitres.

The Deputy Premier has invited landholders in the Traveston area to a public forum in Gympie on Friday.

	Stage 1	July 2006 Estimates Stage 1 (Premier’s announcement)	Stage 2	July 2006 Estimate Stage 2 (Premier’s announcement)
Total Properties affected	332	500	597 (includes stage 1 amount i.e. 265 more)	1000
Houses required for Dam and roads	76	NA	204 (includes stage 1 amount i.e. 128 more)	556 (excluding road requirements)

Hotline - 1800 225 384 Website: www.qldwi.com.au Media: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900

Traveston elements - From Deputy Premier’s Ministerial Statement:

As major projects for South East Queensland, they necessarily will have some impact on their localities.

While this is unfortunate, the Government has an obligation to deliver water security for the people and industry of the region.

We promised MaryValley residents final plans and impacts before year’s end and I can advise the House that this week our government delivers on that promise.

Yesterday I sent letters and information packs to all affected residents in the Traveston and Wyaralong Dam sites.

The information package include individual impact maps for every affected landholder, facts sheets on the dams approvals processes, timelines, sale and leaseback processes, road network changes, land controls, land uses and identify how the dam will affect communities – like Kandanga, Imbil and Brooloo, Carter’s Ridge, Federal, and Gympie itself.

Additional to the extensive briefing material they receive this week a 1800 hotline – 1800 225 384 - has been established to ensure that affected residents have access to the information they seek.

In addition, I have invited landholders in the Traveston area to a public forum I will be holding in Gympie on Friday.

To give landholders certainty land required for both dams and all stages of Traveston Crossing will be acquired now.

As is already known - we are offering very favourable leaseback package

for affected property owners impacted and associated road changes.

Traveston

Geotechnical investigation has allowed the realignment of the dam wall and more accurate flood modelling has reduced the overall land needed from 13700 hectares to 9800 hectares.

Geotechnical investigation has identified the new alignment has desired solid rock foundations on both left and right abutments as well as the centre section.

This quality of foundation has now confirmed that, from an engineering perspective, this is an excellent site for the dams construction.

Traveston Crossing Stage 1, which is estimated to cost $1.7 billion, has a completion date of 2011 and Stage 2, if required, by 2035.

Stage 1’s capacity is now 153,000 megalitres with a yield of 70,000 megalitres.

The completed Stage 2, by 2035 will have a capacity of a massive 570,000 megalitres with a yield of up to 150,000 megalitres.

Significantly, the realignment of the Dam wall and the reduction in the Dam area means that the number of homes and properties affected has been reduced by 403.

The final dam wall alignment and subsequent detailed flood modelling means that a total of 597 properties - not the original 1000 - will be affected by dam inundation or road alignment changes.

The preliminary 556 houses estimate on both stages has also been reduced down to 204. Stage 1 of the Dam will require 76 houses.

The buyback process is already underway and 16 of those properties already purchased are recognized as no longer required and will be offered back to the owners.

Unfortunately there are now 18 properties, which were previously not identified as being needed.

Of these 18, eight are partially affected by Stage 1 road works - that is by 2011 – but no houses are required.

If Stage 2 proceeds a further 10 properties – made up of seven houses and or commercial properties, and three other properties, including vacant land, could be impacted.

In particular, I am pleased to say that the township of Imbil will not be affected by the dam and there will be no additional flooding as a result of the dam. With community support, a possible solution for dealing with remains at the KandangaCemetery can be considered.

If the Dam’s Stage 2 is required an option for consideration is that the graves would remain undisturbed with their headstones and markers temporarily removed and then repositioned exactly (GPS shot) on a new elevated level above their existing position, after additional earth is added and shaped to ensure there will be no flooding of the area.

The cemetery would be relandscaped, grassed and fenced and restored to the current environment.

A new Kandanga Bowls Club, swimming pool, sports ground and hall would also be considered.

The number of impacts may reduce depending on the community consultation outcomes regarding the possible Stage 2 alignment of the Valley Rattler railway line in Kandanga.

Federal School is not affected by the Dam’s Stage 1. It will continue to provide an essential community service in the area.

However its playing fields might be affected if Stage 2 proceeds, QWI has identified a suitable site should a move be needed, and they will be discussing the options with the school community.

The Federal Hall is not affected by Stage 1, but is likely to need relocation by the altered Bruce Highway. A relocated site will be identifed away from the Bruce Highway and above Stage 2 heights.

In relation to road impacts the Queensland Water Infrastructure company will work with the Department of Main Roads and the Cooloola, Noosa and Maroochy Shire Councils to replace or realign roads that will eventually be inundated, and to upgrade creek and river crossings, where required, to accommodate the higher water level.

We will work closely with landowners on road changes, but keeping in mind the timing of road requirements will vary according to construction schedules. Final road alignments will be subject to more detailed engineering and landholder discussions.

About 12 kilometres of the Bruce Highway will need to be realigned.

I can report to the House that both the Traveston and Wyaralong dams have been granted significant project status by the Coorindator-General.

This means they are subject to a full and thorough Environmental Impact Statements which will investigate the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project.

The projects will also be assessed under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The dam will include a range of measures to protect wildlife and habitat, including a fishway designed to world’s best practice and suitable for Mary River Cod and the Lung fish.

The Beattie Government has also put in place a multi million dollar package to support businesses and workers impacted by the construction of the two dams.

The Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority will administer the Business Adjustment Package and the Worker Assistance Package programs.

Hotline - 1800 225 384 Website: www.qldwi.com.au Media: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900