BEATTIE GOVERNMENT RELEASES LANDMARK BLUEPRINT FOR CENTRAL QUEENSLAND WATER

Embargoed to December 16, 2006

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today released the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy, the most comprehensive water plan ever developed for the region.

Mr Wallace said the strategy examined the region’s water needs to 2020 and beyond and included $1.3 billion in new water infrastructure over the next 10 years.

The strategy, which covers the FitzroyBasin and the nearby coastal streams of the CapricornCoast and the Gladstone region, identifies options for meeting the future urban, industrial, mining and agricultural water demands in Central Queensland.

It includes the trading of water entitlements, more efficient water use, and additional water infrastructure.

Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten, Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce and Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan welcomed the release of the strategy, saying it was a vital step in securing water for the region.

“This is the most comprehensive water vision ever produced for Central Queensland,” Mr Wallace said.

“This water blueprint will help ensure that Central Queensland has the water it needs to meet current needs and future growth,” he said.

The release of the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy fulfils a Beattie Government election commitment.

The Strategy includes Queensland Government commitments to develop a range of significant infrastructure projects, including:

·Raising the Eden Bann Weir and building Rookwood Weir, which was announced in April 2006, to meet the needs of the Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Capricorn coast areas.

·Running water pipelines from Rockhampton to the CapricornCoast and from the FitzroyRiver to Gladstone.

·Building a water pipeline from the BurdekinRiver at Gorge Weir to Moranbah to meet the needs of coal mining in the northern BowenBasin. This 218 kilometre pipeline was completed this week with the necessary pumping stations to come on line in early 2007.

·Building the Connors River Dam and associated distribution pipelines to meet the medium to long-term urban and mining needs of the Isaac Connors area.

·Building the Nathan Dam to meet future water supply needs of the SuratBasin and elsewhere in the region, subject to obtaining Commonwealth approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.

·A desalination plant to serve the towns of 1770 and Agnes Waters.

Mr Wallace said the Beattie Government pledged to develop the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy in February 2004.

“It was clear that a regional, whole-of-government approach was the best way to meet water supply challenges,” he said.

“Since then, we have worked closely with local governments, water service providers, indigenous and community representatives, and other key regional and local stakeholder bodies to reach this point.

“The region is facing many challenges, including urban and industrial growth around the Capricorn and CurtisCoasts and mining and associated urban growth in the BowenBasin and northern Surat coalfields.

“Entitlements in some existing water supply schemes in the region are also at, or approaching, full usage.

“Without a long term strategy to address future water supply issues in Central Queensland, industrial, urban and agricultural expansion and new development will be limited, affecting the economic prosperity of the region.”

Mr Wallace said during a recent visit by a number of Directors-General to the Central Queensland Coalfields, water was one of the dominant issues raised by locals.

“On behalf of the Queensland Government, I am delighted to release the strategy and my department is looking forward to working closely with other key contributors to put it into practice.”

Mr Wallace said implementation of the strategy had already started across many parts of the region, with six consultancies associated with the lower Fitzroy weirs already being well advanced.

For further information on the CQWSS visit http://www.cqwaterstrategy.qld.gov.au/ from Monday morning or contact the NRW office in Bolsover Street, Rockhampton, on 4938 4814.

Minister’s office: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 692 654.