Published Friday, 25 January, 2008 at 03:34 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BLIGH ACCELERATES TOOWOOMBA WATER PIPELINE
The Bligh Government today committed $20 million to accelerate design and investigations for the development of a near-40km pipeline to ensure water security for Toowoomba.
The Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Toowoomba North, Attorney General Kerry Shine said the proposed Toowoomba pipeline - linking with the South East Queensland Water Grid - is now expected to be complete by late (DEC) 2009.
“The original plan was for this to happen in 2012, after we hope to have Traveston Crossing Dam Stage 1 on line, but the Garden City’s situation is no better and we must now accelerate our plan,” said Ms Bligh.
They said that following the completion of a preliminary business case, which included involvement by the Toowoomba City Council, a pipeline from Lake Wivenhoe to Lake Cressbrook is the preferred option.
“Toowoomba’s water supply situation is critical with some indications the current supply sources will be exhausted by early 2009,” said the Premier.
“Current dam levels are about 11 per cent and Toowoomba is currently on Level 5 restrictions.
“Toowoomba currently relies on is water supply from a mixture of surface water from three dams Perserverance, Cooby and Cressbrook that supply 85 per cent of demand and groundwater from bores into the Toowoomba basalt aquifer supply the remainder.
“Since 2006, the Toowoomba Water Futures Taskforce consisting of State Government, Toowoomba City Council and local community representatives have considered water supply options.”
Ms Bligh said that in the intervening period, before the pipeline’s completion, the search for other ground water supply measures would continue.
Mr Shine said that late last year the State Government announced it would provide $11.8 million for the drilling of bores into the Great Artesian Basin as an emergency measure.
“We have been working with the community and we will continue working collaboratively with the Toowoomba City Council to find the water solution for the Toowoomba region,” he said.
The Government’s new bulk water authority LinkWater will be responsible for the desing and investigation of the Toowoomba pipeline project.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
The Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Toowoomba North, Attorney General Kerry Shine said the proposed Toowoomba pipeline - linking with the South East Queensland Water Grid - is now expected to be complete by late (DEC) 2009.
“The original plan was for this to happen in 2012, after we hope to have Traveston Crossing Dam Stage 1 on line, but the Garden City’s situation is no better and we must now accelerate our plan,” said Ms Bligh.
They said that following the completion of a preliminary business case, which included involvement by the Toowoomba City Council, a pipeline from Lake Wivenhoe to Lake Cressbrook is the preferred option.
“Toowoomba’s water supply situation is critical with some indications the current supply sources will be exhausted by early 2009,” said the Premier.
“Current dam levels are about 11 per cent and Toowoomba is currently on Level 5 restrictions.
“Toowoomba currently relies on is water supply from a mixture of surface water from three dams Perserverance, Cooby and Cressbrook that supply 85 per cent of demand and groundwater from bores into the Toowoomba basalt aquifer supply the remainder.
“Since 2006, the Toowoomba Water Futures Taskforce consisting of State Government, Toowoomba City Council and local community representatives have considered water supply options.”
Ms Bligh said that in the intervening period, before the pipeline’s completion, the search for other ground water supply measures would continue.
Mr Shine said that late last year the State Government announced it would provide $11.8 million for the drilling of bores into the Great Artesian Basin as an emergency measure.
“We have been working with the community and we will continue working collaboratively with the Toowoomba City Council to find the water solution for the Toowoomba region,” he said.
The Government’s new bulk water authority LinkWater will be responsible for the desing and investigation of the Toowoomba pipeline project.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500