Published Monday, 29 January, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BEATTIE CALLS ON HOWARD TO HELP FUND SEQ’S RECYCLED WATER PIPELINE
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has called on Prime Minister John Howard to pay his share of the State Government’s $1.7 billion Western Corridor Recycled Water Project.
Mr Beattie has written to the Prime Minister seeking a $408 million Commonwealth contribution from the Water Smart Australia Programme for the water pipeline project.
The Premier’s letter was accompanied by a 52 page written application for funding under the programme.
“This week the Prime Minister endorsed using purified recycled water to meet Australia’s water needs. This application gives him an opportunity to back those words with action by making a tangible contribution to the cost of the pipeline project,” Mr Beattie said.
“The application provides an enormous amount of technical detail about the project and includes information on the engineering, economic, environmental and social implications for South East Queensland.
“In a letter on 25 July 2006, The Prime Minister asked for nominations of projects that were of high state and national significance, were ambitious, lasting and would have a transformational impact on water conservation and management in Australia.
“The Western Corridor Recycled Water Project (WCRWP) meets all these criteria,” Mr Beattie said.
“It is iconic and will provide for Australia’s largest water recycling project, the 3rd largest advanced treatment recycled water project in the world and the 4th largest recycled water scheme in the world.
“This project is enormous. We will be constructing three major advanced wastewater treatment plants and laying more than 200 kilometres of pipes.
“The water from the project will be used in regionally important power stations, to supply industry, for agricultural purposes when available and also for use as purified recycled water for drinking purposes.
“The detailed analysis of the project benefits, and the worst drought in our recorded history, has provided the Queensland Government with the confidence and impetus to implement the project,” Mr Beattie said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said construction of the pipeline was advancing rapidly on several fronts, especially around the Bundamba site, where construction of the first advanced wastewater treatment plant is underway.
“Earthworks for the pipeline to the Swanbank power stations has started and the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring the project is completed by the end of 2008,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline is a landmark project that will set new standards for water recycling and will increase the productivity and efficiency of Australia’s water use,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the pipeline was:
the first demonstration of large scale integrated industrial, urban and agricultural recycling in Australia;
a basis for a long-term, reliable water source to support the major population growth region in Australia - South East Queensland (SEQ);
a substantial drought-security measure for SEQ; and
able to deliver enhanced environmental outcomes for the Bremer and Brisbane rivers and Moreton Bay through a reduction in the nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, that are currently discharged into the waterways.
Ms Bligh said the Queensland Government was committed to paying the lion’s share of the $1.7 billion project.
“We are seeking $408 million from the Water Smart Australia Programme which equates to a contribution of 50 percent of the Stage 2 works,” Ms Bligh said.
“Stage 2 includes the construction of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants at Luggage point and Gibson Island and a pipe transport system to Bundamba.
“This is the stage that will have the capacity to deliver purified recycled water into our dam catchment to supplement our drinking supplies when necessary.
“The Queensland Government will not be seeking additional funding to this application from the Australian Government for this project.
“We believe this is a project of national significance and warrants financial support from the Commonwealth Government.
“The project will relieve the severity of current water supply shortages for the South East Queensland region. You would also recognise that this is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to building $7 billion of water infrastructure in the South East corner over the next few years,” Ms Bligh said.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379
29 January 2007
Mr Beattie has written to the Prime Minister seeking a $408 million Commonwealth contribution from the Water Smart Australia Programme for the water pipeline project.
The Premier’s letter was accompanied by a 52 page written application for funding under the programme.
“This week the Prime Minister endorsed using purified recycled water to meet Australia’s water needs. This application gives him an opportunity to back those words with action by making a tangible contribution to the cost of the pipeline project,” Mr Beattie said.
“The application provides an enormous amount of technical detail about the project and includes information on the engineering, economic, environmental and social implications for South East Queensland.
“In a letter on 25 July 2006, The Prime Minister asked for nominations of projects that were of high state and national significance, were ambitious, lasting and would have a transformational impact on water conservation and management in Australia.
“The Western Corridor Recycled Water Project (WCRWP) meets all these criteria,” Mr Beattie said.
“It is iconic and will provide for Australia’s largest water recycling project, the 3rd largest advanced treatment recycled water project in the world and the 4th largest recycled water scheme in the world.
“This project is enormous. We will be constructing three major advanced wastewater treatment plants and laying more than 200 kilometres of pipes.
“The water from the project will be used in regionally important power stations, to supply industry, for agricultural purposes when available and also for use as purified recycled water for drinking purposes.
“The detailed analysis of the project benefits, and the worst drought in our recorded history, has provided the Queensland Government with the confidence and impetus to implement the project,” Mr Beattie said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said construction of the pipeline was advancing rapidly on several fronts, especially around the Bundamba site, where construction of the first advanced wastewater treatment plant is underway.
“Earthworks for the pipeline to the Swanbank power stations has started and the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring the project is completed by the end of 2008,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Western Corridor Recycled Water Pipeline is a landmark project that will set new standards for water recycling and will increase the productivity and efficiency of Australia’s water use,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the pipeline was:
the first demonstration of large scale integrated industrial, urban and agricultural recycling in Australia;
a basis for a long-term, reliable water source to support the major population growth region in Australia - South East Queensland (SEQ);
a substantial drought-security measure for SEQ; and
able to deliver enhanced environmental outcomes for the Bremer and Brisbane rivers and Moreton Bay through a reduction in the nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, that are currently discharged into the waterways.
Ms Bligh said the Queensland Government was committed to paying the lion’s share of the $1.7 billion project.
“We are seeking $408 million from the Water Smart Australia Programme which equates to a contribution of 50 percent of the Stage 2 works,” Ms Bligh said.
“Stage 2 includes the construction of Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants at Luggage point and Gibson Island and a pipe transport system to Bundamba.
“This is the stage that will have the capacity to deliver purified recycled water into our dam catchment to supplement our drinking supplies when necessary.
“The Queensland Government will not be seeking additional funding to this application from the Australian Government for this project.
“We believe this is a project of national significance and warrants financial support from the Commonwealth Government.
“The project will relieve the severity of current water supply shortages for the South East Queensland region. You would also recognise that this is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to building $7 billion of water infrastructure in the South East corner over the next few years,” Ms Bligh said.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379
29 January 2007