Wyaralong Dam could be delivered a year ahead of schedule

The Wyaralong Dam could deliver water to South East Queensland homes a year ahead of schedule, subject to approval, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said the 1000 page Environmental Impact Statement for the Wyaralong Dam on the Teviot Brook, released for public comment by the Coordinator-General today, showed the dam could be built by the end of 2010.

“This is another vital component of the State Government’s $9 billion grid, which will ensure the booming south east corner doesn’t run dry,” Mr Lucas said.

“The EIS shows the Wyaralong Dam could provide additional water supplies of 21,000 megalitres annually, when operated in conjunction with Cedar Grove Weir.

“That’s enough water for more than 150,000 people a year.”

Mr Lucas said the dam, 14km north west of Beaudesert, would operate in conjunction with Cedar Grove Weir on the LoganRiver, which is on schedule for completion by the end of this year. An additional 5000 megalitres per year of supply will be provided from the nearby Bromelton Offstream Storage, fast tracked for completion by mid 2008.

Mr Lucas said a rigorous economic analysis in the EIS outlines that the project could be delivered for a total capital cost of $333m, below the original estimate of $500 million. This would include dam construction, roads, power and telecommunication relocation, land purchasing, connecting pipelines from Cedar Grove Weir to the SEQ Water Grid and mitigation costs.

“The EIS shows that, if built, the project could deliver economic and employment opportunities, including an increased national welfare of $745 million, and increased aggregate employment of 348 jobs by 2009.”

Mr Lucas said the dam would also deliver major employment, business, tourism and recreational opportunities for the local region.

“While there would be a loss of some grazing land locally, the injection of capital for construction, up-skilling of labour, and increased capability of local businesses that provide goods and services for construction should ensure long-term benefits to the local community.

“Around 300 people would be employed onsite during construction, and 30 to 40% of these jobs are expected to be filled locally. An additional 400 suppliers are expected to be employed, with about 150 of these expected to be sourced locally.

“But it’s not just local businesses that would get benefits from this dam.

“Queensland Water Infrastructure has identified conceptual plans for recreational facilities associated with the dam. This would include the potential for horse riding and mountain bike trails, and zoning for particular forms of recreation such as boating, canoeing, picnicking and nature conservation.

“QWI proposes to establish a tourist partnership with local and regional tourism organisations, to plan and implement visitor attraction programs, both during and on completion of construction.”

Mr Lucas said QWI had already reached agreement with the owners of 10 of the 19 properties fully or partially required for the dam.

Mr Lucas said the EIS showed that economists from MonashUniversity and Marsdon Jacobs found Wyaralong Dam would cost more than $360 million less than proposed alternatives, including Glendower Dam.

The EIS has been prepared by leading environmental consultants PB and MWH, with support from Australia’s top environmental, engineering and economic consultants.

“It acknowledges environmental impacts that this project will have within the region, as well as outlining the positive benefits it will deliver,” Mr Lucas said.

“In consultation with the CSIRO, Queensland Water Infrastructure has proposed a number of sustainable initiatives that go beyond the requirements for the project. Initiatives include native vegetation corridors, recreation and tourism planning, including horse trails and facilitating the upgrade of the Boonah Shire Sewerage Treatment Plant.

“And two of the islands created by the dam would be developed as special wildlife habitats, complete with protection from feral animals.”

Submissions for the EIS will close Wednesday 12 December.

The Coordinator General will then assess submissions and may require the proponent Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd to prepare a Supplementary Report in response to submissions on the EIS, before providing his assessment and report to the Federal Environment Minister.

A final decision by the Federal Government is expected in early to mid 2008.

“Subject to timely approvals by the Coordinator-General and then the Federal Government, construction could start late 2008 for possible completion by the end of 2010,” Mr Lucas said.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868

EIS Availability

The four volume EIS and appendices are now available at thirteen public display locations for the public to review and provide public comment. Free electronic copies are also available on the QWI website, www.qldwi.com.au, or by contacting QWI on 1800 225 384.