Published Thursday, 22 March, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Acting Premier outlines $70 million in new water projects
22 March 2007
A new $30 million water treatment plant will be built on the Ewen Maddock Dam, connecting the currently untapped water source into the South East Queensland Water Grid, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“The State Government’s injection of $12million - or 40 per cent of the project costs - will make this happen. It’s another example of the State and councils working cooperatively on water-related infrastructure,” said Ms Bligh.
“Only a very small percentage of the Dam’s water is currently being used, for non-drinking and industrial uses, so in terms of proving a drinking supply, it is an untapped water source.
“Caloundra and surrounding areas are serviced by the Baroon Pocket Dam, which has a capacity of around 61,000ML.
“The Ewen Maddock is one of Queensland’s smaller dams having a capacity of 16,700 ML and is capable of delivering about 3,800 ML/annum, so we need to tap into this reserve.
“The Dam is an important strategic water reserve for the Sunshine Coast, but this project will allow a sustainable amount of surplus water to be fed into drier parts of the South East.
“This is yet another link in the Beattie Government’s commitment to build a water grid that will connect all major water storages around South East Queensland,” she said.
The project would be managed by the Caloundra Maroochy Water Supply Board. Ewen Maddock Dam is currently at about 80 per cent capacity.
“We don’t know when and where it is going to rain, but with water grid projects such as these, we can literally tap into unused or underused water storages as required.”
It is expected that the new plant would be operational by December 2008 and connected to the water grid via the Northern Pipeline inter-connector.
? Meanwhile Ms Bligh said that the public will soon have the opportunity to have their say on the terms of reference for the proposed Emu Swamp Dam Environmental Impact Statement.
Ms Bligh said Stanthorpe Shire Council proposes to develop an 8000 mega litre dam (eight Olympic-sized swimming pools) on the Severn River, some 15 kilometres south-west of Stanthorpe.
The Coordinator-General has declared the Emu Swamp Dam to be a significant project, for which an EIS is required under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
“A period of public consultation on the draft terms of reference will begin later this month (late March) and continue for four weeks,” Ms Bligh said.
“The opportunity for the public to have a say on matters to be addressed in the EIS for projects of this significance is a vital part of genuinely engaging with the community and ensuring transparency in our facilitation and assessment processes.
“We want to make a considered decision, one that takes in community, environmental and social impacts.”
Ms Bligh said Council was also exploring the option of increasing the capacity of the dam to 18 000 mega litres to provide irrigation water for agricultural producers in the upper Severn River catchment.
“This is a $35 to $50 million project, depending on which option is developed, that would go a long way towards addressing the urgent need for water for the people of Stanthorpe,” she said.
“From initial investigations we know that the dam has the potential to provide a reliable urban water supply for current and future needs of Stanthorpe, including residential, commercial and industrial growth.
“In the meantime, Stanthorpe Shire Council is implementing measures to manage demand for water from the Storm King Dam which has been drawn down to low levels several times over the past few years.”
www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au/eis
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900
A new $30 million water treatment plant will be built on the Ewen Maddock Dam, connecting the currently untapped water source into the South East Queensland Water Grid, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“The State Government’s injection of $12million - or 40 per cent of the project costs - will make this happen. It’s another example of the State and councils working cooperatively on water-related infrastructure,” said Ms Bligh.
“Only a very small percentage of the Dam’s water is currently being used, for non-drinking and industrial uses, so in terms of proving a drinking supply, it is an untapped water source.
“Caloundra and surrounding areas are serviced by the Baroon Pocket Dam, which has a capacity of around 61,000ML.
“The Ewen Maddock is one of Queensland’s smaller dams having a capacity of 16,700 ML and is capable of delivering about 3,800 ML/annum, so we need to tap into this reserve.
“The Dam is an important strategic water reserve for the Sunshine Coast, but this project will allow a sustainable amount of surplus water to be fed into drier parts of the South East.
“This is yet another link in the Beattie Government’s commitment to build a water grid that will connect all major water storages around South East Queensland,” she said.
The project would be managed by the Caloundra Maroochy Water Supply Board. Ewen Maddock Dam is currently at about 80 per cent capacity.
“We don’t know when and where it is going to rain, but with water grid projects such as these, we can literally tap into unused or underused water storages as required.”
It is expected that the new plant would be operational by December 2008 and connected to the water grid via the Northern Pipeline inter-connector.
? Meanwhile Ms Bligh said that the public will soon have the opportunity to have their say on the terms of reference for the proposed Emu Swamp Dam Environmental Impact Statement.
Ms Bligh said Stanthorpe Shire Council proposes to develop an 8000 mega litre dam (eight Olympic-sized swimming pools) on the Severn River, some 15 kilometres south-west of Stanthorpe.
The Coordinator-General has declared the Emu Swamp Dam to be a significant project, for which an EIS is required under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
“A period of public consultation on the draft terms of reference will begin later this month (late March) and continue for four weeks,” Ms Bligh said.
“The opportunity for the public to have a say on matters to be addressed in the EIS for projects of this significance is a vital part of genuinely engaging with the community and ensuring transparency in our facilitation and assessment processes.
“We want to make a considered decision, one that takes in community, environmental and social impacts.”
Ms Bligh said Council was also exploring the option of increasing the capacity of the dam to 18 000 mega litres to provide irrigation water for agricultural producers in the upper Severn River catchment.
“This is a $35 to $50 million project, depending on which option is developed, that would go a long way towards addressing the urgent need for water for the people of Stanthorpe,” she said.
“From initial investigations we know that the dam has the potential to provide a reliable urban water supply for current and future needs of Stanthorpe, including residential, commercial and industrial growth.
“In the meantime, Stanthorpe Shire Council is implementing measures to manage demand for water from the Storm King Dam which has been drawn down to low levels several times over the past few years.”
www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au/eis
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900