STUDIES START FOR $85M WEIR PROJECTS ON FITZROY RIVER

Planning work has started on two major weir projects that will help meet the future water needs of Rockhampton, Gladstone and the CapricornCoast, Water Minister Craig Wallace announced in Rockhampton today.

Mr Wallace said geotechnical and environmental studies had commenced on plans to raise the Eden Bann Weir and build the new Rookwood Weir on the FitzroyRiver.

The raised weir and new weir, costing around $85 million, are key elements of the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy, which was released by Craig Wallace last Friday.

The strategy, which includes $1.3 billion in new water infrastructure over the next 10 years, is the most comprehensive water plan ever developed for Central Queensland.

“The community wants us to roll up our sleeves and ensure it has enough water for the future – and we are doing it,” Mr Wallace said.

“Eden Bann and Rookwood alone are expected to deliver up to 76,000 megalitres extra a year,” he said.

“They will help meet the future urban and industrial needs of Rockhampton, Gladstone and the CapricornCoast.”

Both projects are expected to be completed by 2011.

As part of the approvals process, consultants have begun geotechnical and environmental studies of the two weirs in areas including:

·Vegetation

·Turtles and fish

·Social impacts, and

·Indigenous and non-indigenous cultural issues.

The new Rookwood Weir will be 54km west of Rockhampton on the FitzroyRiver near Gogango.

It will consist of a 15 metre high structure in Stage 1 with a possible further 2 metre addition in Stage 2.

Mr Wallace said once constructed, the new weir would inundate the existing Riverslea Crossing, with a new high level bridge planned for the site.

“As the crossing is the only access to about 10 properties and is frequently inundated, this will be good news to residents in the area.”

Eden Bann Weir is an existing weir situated on the FitzroyRiver 52km north-west of Rockhampton, west of the town of Yaamba.

The existing 7-metre high weir was built in 1994 to supply water to the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton. It has a current capacity of 36,000ML.

Mr Wallace said Stage 1 would involve raising the weir by 4 metres, with a possible further 2 metre extension in Stage 2.

Mr Wallace said at Rookwood consultants were mapping the foundations of a proposed concrete weir across the river channel.

The consultant is also investigating the sources and suitability of local materials for construction of the weir.

Experts also have studied fish passage in the lower FitzroyRiver, including how to maintain populations across their current range.

Only limited study has been done to identify effects on FitzroyRiver turtles because of the lack of river flows and low levels of existing water storages.

Vegetation and ecosystem mapping is being done for each of the proposed stages of the weir developments.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.