QLD GOVT INVITES COMMUNITY INPUT ON CRITICAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

9 December 2006

The Queensland Government today invited the public to comment on two major water infrastructure projects critical to securing south-east Queensland’s future water supplies.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh today released the draft terms of reference for Stage 1 of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam and the draft environmental and social impact assessment for Stage 1 of the Western Corridor Recycled Water project.

Ms Bligh encouraged the community to contribute their views to both projects. Submissions will be accepted until February next year, allowing for the Christmas holidays.

“This is the community’s chance to have their say on these critically important water projects,” she said.

The draft terms of reference for Stage 1 of the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam will be open for public comment until 19 February next year.

Ms Bligh said the draft terms of reference mapped out issues to be examined as part of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the dam.

“This is the first phase of an extensive community consultation process to be conducted on the proposed dam,” she said.

“The objective of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is to ensure all potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the project are identified and assessed and that steps are outlined about how to mitigate against any adverse impacts,” she said.

“The draft terms of reference can be viewed at www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/eis

“The terms cover key issues including the potential impacts on endangered species such as the Mary River Cod, Mary River Tortoise and vulnerable Australian lungfish and the potential impacts on the water quality and habitats of the Great Sandy Strait Ramsar Wetland and WorldHeritage-listedFraserIsland.

“The terms of reference will also address issues the community raised with me at the Gympie meeting including the potential for weed growth and algae blooms and an assessment of the risk of any potential transfer of pathogen organisms between river basins.

“To ensure the process is as robust and comprehensive as possible the EIS will also consider alternatives to the project as well as other dam locations and outline the reasons for selecting preferred options.”

Queensland Water Infrastructure (QWI), the company delivering the dam, will hold the first community information day on the project, including the EIS process, on Saturday 16 December at 1825 Mary Valley Road, Amamoor, from 11am to 3pm.

Submissions on the draft terms of reference will inform the final terms of reference which will govern the scope of technical studies to be undertaken on the proposed dam over the next year.

Both the State and Federal governments will review the EIS after the project was declared a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.

In a separate announcement, Ms Bligh said extensive environmental studies had been undertaken on Stage 1 of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project since April.

“Today we are releasing the 2500-page draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report which presents the findings of these studies and assessments,” she said.

“The report details the potential impacts of the first stage of the project which involves the development of an Advanced Waste Water Treatment Plant at Bundamba and the construction of a pipeline from Oxley to Caboonbah to supply recycled water to the power stations.”

Ms Bligh said the study examined a range of issues including the potential impact of the project on communities, land and aquatic ecoystems, traffic, air, noise and water quality and cultural heritage.

“The benefits include the creation of 485 full-time jobs during the peak construction phase of the project.

“The net environmental impact of the first stage of the project is considered to be positive given that by recycling and purifying wastewater there will be much lower levels of nutrients entering our waterways, rivers and MoretonBay.

“The majority of the pipeline route for the first stage follows existing easements including transmission lines, existing railway lines, pipeline corridors and road reserves.

“Therefore, overall the environmental impacts are limited on this part of the route and realignment has occurred where necessary to avoid sensitive areas.

“The pipeline will cross about 280 parcels of land between Oxley to Caboonbah with many of these being Government-owned. The pipeline route has been chosen to avoid buildings and homes on affected land where possible.

“Environmental impacts identified will be managed in accordance with mitigation measures recommended in the report and in accordance with environmental best practice.”

The draft ESIA report was prepared by GHD – an international consulting company with recognised expertise in engineering and environmental and community planning.

Ms Bligh encouraged the community to comment on the draft report which will be on display at local libraries at Ipswich, Esk, Lowood and Redbank Plains.

The public will also be able to view the draft report at www.westerncorridor.qld.gov.au and comment on it until 9 February 2007.

The first information session on the draft report will be held on Wednesday December 13 at Oxley Bowls Club, with further information sessions scheduled over the public consultation period.

Media contact: 3224 6900