$20 million to increase Capricorn Coast water supplies: Fraser

27 April 2007

$20 million to increase Capricorn Coast water supplies: Fraser

The State Government is delivering on its commitment to secure Queensland’s water supplies by providing Livingstone Shire Council with $20 million towards constructing a new water pipeline.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the 30 kilometre pipeline would link the Fitzroy River Barrage in Rockhampton to Yeppoon’s water distribution network.

“Livingstone Shire’s population is expected to increase by 12,000 to 24,000 people in the next 20 years, and we need to ensure adequate water infrastructure is in place to manage this growth,” Mr Fraser said.

“The CapricornCoast is currently supplied by the Sandy and Water Park Creek catchments however, these sources will be insufficient to meet the increasing demands of the Shire.

“The new $49.4 million pipeline will secure a future water supply for the region while ensuring the sustainability of the local environment.

“SandyCreek in particular is one of the last undisturbed coastal dune systems in Queensland and flows into a Ramsar-listed site in CorioBay.

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan welcomed the funding saying the pipeline would play a vital role in the State Government’s plans to boost and secure water supply with heavy investment in infrastructure.

“This is a significant investment to secure our water supply and meet the challenges of climate change and population growth head on,” Mr Hoolihan said.

The Commonwealth Government’s National Water Commission has also contributed $16.5 million towards the pipeline, with the remaining $12.9 million to be provided by council.

Mr Fraser said the project was funded under the government’s Water and Sewerage Program (WASP), which provides assistance to local governments for water and sewerage infrastructure.

Media Contact: Chris Ward 3227 8821 0418 424 654