PIPELINE BUILT BY 2011

South East Queensland’s improved water supply situation has allowed the State Government to push back the construction of the Northern Pipeline Interconnector Stage 2.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas announced the NPI Stage 2 will now be built by the end of 2011.

“The good rain we’ve had this year on the Sunshine Coast means Stage 1 of the pipeline will be able to supply the water we need through until 2011,” said Mr Lucas.

“The Sunshine Coast’s dams were filled to overflowing by rain in June and the combined levels remain over 95%.

“The Queensland Water Commission’s water balance modelling now shows Stage 1 of the pipeline can safely draw the required 65 million litres a day from Baroon Pocket Dam through until the end of 2011.

“Stage 1 is now more than 70% built and on track to finish by the end of this year.

“These pipelines are designed to allow for two way flow in the future, when the Sunshine Coast may need water from other areas as its population expands.”

Mr Lucas also announced LinkWater Projects, the proponent responsible for delivering the 53km NPI Stage 2 pipeline, has identified a preferred route running from Eudlo to Noosa.

“This will provide certainty not just for the people affected but also anyone whose property has been looked at previously but isn’t on this route,” said Mr Lucas.

“I’ve directed LinkWater Projects to start contacting people immediately and also make this route available online.

“There are 95 landowners around Yandina and Bli Bli who will receive letters explaining they are no longer affected.

“With extra water in the dams there’s now time to run this section of the pipeline along existing easements, with less impact on landowners and the environment.

“There is also good news for Suncoast Christian College, the pipeline will either be tunnelled under or run adjacent to their grounds.

“LinkWater Projects expects no-one will lose their home from this route and has used existing Energex easements wherever possible.

“Further investigations will be needed for a 3.5 km long stretch at Nambour to determine whether the current route through a ridge line stacks up.”

LinkWater Projects will continue to engage with landowners about ongoing investigations involving geotechnical, engineering and environmental studies that are needed to identify any potential impacts of the project.

This will also assist in any localised refinement of the proposed pipeline alignment to minimise impacts at the property level.

The NPI 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is expected to be released for public comment by the end of this year.

“The Coordinator-General has advised me that LinkWater Projects still has to lodge a final comprehensive and satisfactory EIS that addresses the issues fully,” said Mr Lucas.

“The Bligh Government is committed to this water security project being completed in a timely manner but it also must satisfy rigorous environmental investigations.”

Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2009, pending State and Federal Government environmental approvals.

The preferred route can be viewed at http://projects.linkwater.com.au

Media contacts: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223 and Robert Hoge 0419 757 868