ACTING PREMIER MEETS WITH RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY NEW WEIR

4 January 2007

Cedar Grove: Property owners affected by a new weir to be built on the Logan River will retain access to their land and the river for grazing purposes under a modified plan put forward by the State Government.

Acting Premier Anna Bligh today honoured a promise made in November and inspected the site of the new Cedar Grove Weir and personally met with residents affected by the project to confirm the Government’s revised land requirements for the weir.

Ms Bligh said original plans for the weir required the purchase and fencing of a 20m buffer around the inundated area.

Residents raised their concerns about this with the Deputy Premier when she addressed a Wyaralong Dam meeting at Boonah in November.

“After discussions with landowners we recognized that a compromise solution could be reached that struck the right balance between meeting the environmental and water quality needs of the weir and the needs of landholders,” she said.

“We believe that landowners are in the best position to protect the land. That’s why in the majority of cases, we are proposing to buy a water storage easement over some areas which will not be fenced off.

“What this means is that landholders can retain title of their property, use of their land and access to the river for grazing purposes.

“However it also allows the Government to exercise some controls over areas closest to the river to safeguard the water quality in the weir.

“About 16 landholders, including Beaudesert Shire Council, are expected to be affected by the weir. No homes will be required for the project.

“A small amount of land may need to be purchased around the weir structure and any required pump station and interconnecting pipeworks. We will negotiate with individual landowners on the specific plans for their properties.”

Ms Bligh said Cedar Grove Weir would be built 5km downstream of where the Teviot Brook meets the Logan River and has an anticipated yield of 3000ML a year.

“Initially the weir, which is expected to be built by the end of this year, will capture and store water from the Logan system which will bolster local supplies in the short term.

“If the proposed Wyaralong Dam receives approval to go ahead, the weir will capture and store water released from the dam when it’s completed at the end of 2010.

“This water will then be pumped into the water grid via the new Southern Regional Water Pipeline under construction between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and due for completion by the end of November 2008.

“When operating in conjunction with Wyaralong Dam, the total system yield is approximately 21,000ML a year.

“Both projects are part of our Government’s comprehensive response to shoring up the south-east’s water supplies in the face of the worst drought on record.”

Today’s meeting follows a public meeting Ms Bligh held with landowners affected by the proposed Wyaralong Dam.

“I gave a public commitment to the Cedar Grove residents at that meeting that I would return and discuss the issues they raised face-to-face,” Ms Bligh said.

“This was a priority on my New Year’s to-do list and I’m pleased to honour it.”

Cedar Grove Weir is being delivered by Queensland Water Infrastructure – a Government-owned company responsible for the Wyaralong and Traveston Crossing Dams.

In December the company called for Expressions of Interest from the private sector for a package of works, including Cedar Grove Weir, Bromelton Off-stream Storage and the possible Wyaralong Dam access Road.

Expressions of interest are due by 5 February. To ensure timely delivery of the project the company has already placed an order for steel sheet piling required for the weir construction.

After the project has been granted the necessary approvals, construction of the weir is expected to commence in April with work due for completion by the end of 2007.

Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379