Published Wednesday, 24 January, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Bligh’s declarations shore up timing for key SEQ water projects
24 January 2007
Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Bligh, has declared key elements of the SEQ water grid as “prescribed projects” and “critical infrastructure projects” under section 76E of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act.
The projects are the South East Queensland (Gold Coast) Desalination Facility at Tugun, the Southern Regional Water Pipeline and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project.
“These are all vital elements in the SEQ Water Grid and need to be completed by the end of 2008 to make sure we have a secure water future,” the Acting Premier said.
“These declarations (on January 23 2007) enliven the new powers under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act and mean we can move quickly to prevent delays in the assessment and approval processes.”
“In this specific instance the declaration of these projects will expedite legal access to existing utility easements by cutting red tape between the different government agencies which control these easements.”
The decision to declare the projects is not subject to judicial review.
“This is not a decision taken lightly,” the Deputy Premier said.
“However, given the time critical nature of these projects, and the delays that might occur in the event of legal actions or delays in the approval processes, I have decided to make these declarations,” Ms Bligh said.
“This in no way diminishes the rights of private landowners to compensation or our commitment to working closely with landholders, local communities, local government and other stakeholders to make sure that we proceed in the least disruptive way possible.”
“Wherever possible these new and essential pipelines will follow existing power, gas and water easements and government reserves.
“Other projects that are part of the emergency regulations will be considered for similar declaration upon finalisation of their alignments and scope,” Ms Bligh said.
Media contact: Steve Keating 322 44379 John Algate 322 45982
Acting Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Bligh, has declared key elements of the SEQ water grid as “prescribed projects” and “critical infrastructure projects” under section 76E of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act.
The projects are the South East Queensland (Gold Coast) Desalination Facility at Tugun, the Southern Regional Water Pipeline and the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project.
“These are all vital elements in the SEQ Water Grid and need to be completed by the end of 2008 to make sure we have a secure water future,” the Acting Premier said.
“These declarations (on January 23 2007) enliven the new powers under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act and mean we can move quickly to prevent delays in the assessment and approval processes.”
“In this specific instance the declaration of these projects will expedite legal access to existing utility easements by cutting red tape between the different government agencies which control these easements.”
The decision to declare the projects is not subject to judicial review.
“This is not a decision taken lightly,” the Deputy Premier said.
“However, given the time critical nature of these projects, and the delays that might occur in the event of legal actions or delays in the approval processes, I have decided to make these declarations,” Ms Bligh said.
“This in no way diminishes the rights of private landowners to compensation or our commitment to working closely with landholders, local communities, local government and other stakeholders to make sure that we proceed in the least disruptive way possible.”
“Wherever possible these new and essential pipelines will follow existing power, gas and water easements and government reserves.
“Other projects that are part of the emergency regulations will be considered for similar declaration upon finalisation of their alignments and scope,” Ms Bligh said.
Media contact: Steve Keating 322 44379 John Algate 322 45982