Water has started to flow today from the $187 million pipeline connecting Wivenhoe Dam to drought-stricken Toowoomba.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Water has started to flow today from the $187 million pipeline connecting Wivenhoe Dam to drought-stricken Toowoomba.
The 38km State Government-subsidised Wivenhoe-Cressbrook Dam pipeline has secured the long-term water supply for the Garden City’s 121,000 residents through connection to the South East Queensland Water Grid.
Cressbrook Dam is currently hovering at 7.4 per cent capacity the lowest of the three dams feeding Toowoomba which are at 7.8 per cent.
As water from Wivenhoe Dam poured into Cressbrook Dam, near Esk, Premier Anna Bligh and Toowoomba Regional Council ( TRC ) Mayor Peter Taylor were there to witness the historic event.
"This is a win-win situation for the people of Toowoomba who get permanent water security courtesy of the SEQ Water Grid and a State Government subsidy on construction of this critical water infrastructure," MS Bligh said.
"The flow of water from the SEQ Water Grid into Toowoomba’s drought stricken dams, is great news for Toowoomba residents and businesses.
"A secure water supply will breed confidence in the business sector and increase the economic benefit to the region as other companies are drawn to invest in the city.
"In the first year of the pipeline’s operation, the pumps will supply about 27 megalitres a day – more than the city’s current consumption of about 20 megalitres per day – with the aim of bringing Cressbrook Dam up to 20 per cent capacity, as a drought buffer."
Premier Bligh added that the project had been delivered with no extra water charges beyond those outlined in Council’s budget last year.
Cr Taylor said the project was extremely important to the region.
"This is financially the largest and most important single infrastructure project ever undertaken by council. The significance of this project and its positive impact on the community in the Toowoomba Regional Council area can not be emphasised enough," Cr Taylor said.
"The pipeline will ensure a highly reliable supply of water for the next 50 years and today’s launch is a very important and exciting day for the future of the region.
"It promises peace of mind for residents and renewed confidence for local business and potential investors – a new chapter in Toowoomba Regional Council history starts today.
"The pipeline will have the capacity to transport 14,200 megalitres a year, and ultimately, up to 18,000 megalitres a year which, together with council's three dams, will underpin our growth well into the future.’’
Toowoomba Regional Council will now be able to access the SEQ Water Grid, while retaining its bulk water assets and associated infrastructure.
Council will continue to own its local dams and water treatment and distribution infrastructure, and remain responsible for setting levels of service and access charges and for applying water restrictions.
Labor Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said the pipeline would provide Toowoomba residents with much-needed water security.
"This pipeline has the capacity to transport the equivalent of Toowoomba’s annual water usage,’’ Mr Shine said.
"It will ensure we have enough water now and into the future and I would like to congratulate LinkWater Projects and the Toowoomba Pipeline Alliance for delivering this project on time and on budget.
"In addition direct spending by the project and staff at local businesses reached a total of $11.5 million, with more than 400 people directly and indirectly employed on the project team.’’
The Toowoomba Pipeline Alliance will leave behind a lasting legacy for the local Esk community by working with Somerset Regional Council to develop a recreational parkland on its current camp site. This will help to transform the centre of Esk. LinkWater Projects formed the Toowoomba Pipeline Alliance, including Clough, WDS and AECOM, to design and construct the Toowoomba Pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam.
Pipeline facts
The 38km pipeline Toowoomba Pipeline is a 38km pipeline linking Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam
Initially the pipeline will have the capacity to transport 14,200 megalitres a year and ultimately up to 18,000 megalitres a year
In its first year the pipeline will transport 10,000 megalitres to Cressbrook Dam as per the South East Queensland Water Grid Manager’s instructions.
The pipeline connects to Wivenhoe Dam near the water tower at Esk, then follows local road reserves west through the Esk township. From there, it crosses a number of large rural properties and advances through Deongwar State Forest to connect to Cressbrook Dam
The pipeline includes two pumps ( one pump station ) located off Paddy Gully Road at Wivenhoe Dam
The pipeline has provided an economic boost for Esk and its 1200 residents, with 77 Brisbane Valley residents among the 290 staff
The project has committed more than $11.5 million to local businesses
Overall 290 staff directly employed on the project, 117 indirectly ( total of more than 400 direct and indirect employment )
515,434 hours worked
In partnership with the Somerset Regional Council, designing and committing to developing a parkland in Esk. The site will include a children’s playground, bikeway, kick-around space, event amphitheatre, fitness stations, BBQ area and walking trails
Installing a new drainage system for Esk State School
In partnership with the Yuggera people, creating a cultural heritage garden at Esk State School which includes bush tucker and lifestyle and medicinal plants
In partnership with Nanango State High School, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy and the DPI&F Alan Fletcher Research Station - biology students are rearing the leaf-sucking tingid bug, native to Brazil and Argentina, for release into the wild. The tingid bug feeds solely on the leaves of invasive weed cat’s claw creeper. The Toowoomba Pipeline Alliance excavated a greenhouse pad, erected a greenhouse and provided materials for students to construct nine cages to rear the tingid colonies before releasing them into infested areas. It also donated a 3,000 litre water tank previously used at the camp site.
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This story was released on 2010-01-29. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.