WYARALONG DAM A STEP CLOSER

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas has welcomed the Coordinator-General’s recommendation that the $333 million Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert is able to proceed.

Mr Lucas said Coordinator-General Colin Jensen was satisfied the dam could be built, subject to the conditions outlined in his evaluation report.

“Wyaralong Dam is a key part of our $9 billion Water Grid and will supply up to an extra 21,000 million litres of much-needed water every year, working in conjunction with the nearby Cedar Grove Weir,” Mr Lucas said.

“That’s enough water for more than 330,000 people meeting Target 170.”

The Coordinator-General’s evaluation report on the project will now be sent to Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, for final approval.

“Subject to Australian Government approval of the project, Queensland Water Infrastructure could begin construction in early 2009 and be finished by the end of 2011 or potentially earlier,” said Mr Lucas.

“Wyaralong Dam will create over 300 construction jobs and opportunites for around 400 businesses, boosting the Boonah, Beaudesert and SEQ economies.

“QWI estimates more than 40 per cent of all goods and services will be drawn from local sources.”

Mr Lucas said other benefits include:

• $4 million for tourism and development of recreational facilities, in consultation with Scenic Rim Regional Council.
• $2m from QWI to upgrade the Boonah Waste Water Treatment Plant;
• replacement of 11.9km of Beaudesert-Boonah Rd with a new 10.6km realignment further south, a new 5.5km access road to the dam which may serve as a future road to recreational areas plus the relocation or raising of parts of Old Beaudesert Rd and Knethers Rd;

The Coordinator-General has imposed dozens of stringent conditions on the project to mitigate its impacts. The conditions cover the Moreton Bay Ramsar wetland, traffic, erosion and sediment, water quality and flow, aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, amenity, cultural heritage, land use, safety and social issues.

Mr Lucas said a case in point was the Coordinator-General's strict vegetation conditions which would protect the existing habitat and, where possible, enhance it.

“If, for example, QWI clears a hectare of vegetation they will be required to secure at least two hectares of vegetation to replace it,” Mr Lucas said.

“The conditions for higher value vegetation are even tougher, with a requirement to replace at least 3 times any times any amount cleared.”

Some of the other conditions include:

• provision of an offset for the greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction;
• a requirement for QWI to maintain an environmental corridor to facilitate north-south movement of fauna;
• design, planning and siting of any construction worker accommodation must ensure future potential use is optimised for the local community;

The Wyaralong Dam site is on Teviot Brook within the Logan River catchment, about 14 km northwest of Beaudesert. Its capacity is approximately 103,000 megalitres.

Mr Jensen said he was satisfied the EIS process had provided sufficient information to allow a thorough evaluation of impacts and alternatives to the project.

“From a whole of Queensland government perspective the dam can proceed, subject to the conditions outlined in my evaluation report,” Mr Jensen said.

“I would like to thank all individuals, organisations and agencies who provided submissions to the draft Terms of Reference and EIS.

“This exhaustive process has contributed to the development of conditions that will ensure the project is best practice and minimises any impacts.”

The Coordinator-General’s evaluation report is on the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website www.dip.qld.gov.au

Media inquiries: Matt Klar 0437 435 223