A surprise plan to fund a long-awaited Warwick to Toowoomba pipeline is sending ripples across South and Darling Downs from Queensland, and raises concerns that it could weaken water security.
Key points:
- The state government has pledged $ 300 million to the Toowoomba water pipe in Warwick
- It will bombard Warwick and other smaller communities along the way
- Toowoomba Regional Council Concerns Gas Pipeline Weakens Toowoomba Water Security
The Queensland government announced it would pay the $ 300 million pipeline to bring water from the Wivenhoe Dam in the southeastern state to the Toowoomba water network, and then deliver to Warwick and other smaller communities along the route.
“The construction of the pipeline will provide approximately 420 jobs to local communities, as well as long-term water security, which is critical to the jobs, economic growth and livability of Queensland communities.” said Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk this week.
Work will begin in the coming months and will be completed in 2026.
The project was first announced when the Southern and Darling Downs were in a drought in 2019, forcing the state government to fund water transportation in the region.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi welcomed the pipeline funding.
“When we were in an extreme situation, the Prime Minister and this government in this cabinet sat side by side with us helping us with this water,” he said.
“We are only a very small city council, we have 22,000 taxpayers, so our capacity to fund infrastructure projects like this is limited.”
Vic Pennisi welcomed the government’s $ 300 million funding commitment. (Provided by: Southern Downs Regional Council)
What about Toowoomba?
The announcement, however, surprised the Toowoomba Regional Council, which has raised concerns about the consequences for its water security.
“This certainly means that part of our ability to provide water to the Toowoomba community has been taken away from us,” said Mayor Paul Antonio.
“Indeed, what is happening by probably sending 3,000 megaliters to Warwick reduces our long-term water security.”
Mr Antonio said details had to be identified, such as the amount of water, ownership, maintenance responsibility and ongoing costs before the council could support the project.
“Remember that while the Southern Downs received help from the state government to transport water to Stanthorpe, we brought water to Clifton and other places during the drought and there was no help,” he said.
“That’s a bit of a painful point.”
Rebecca Vonhoff says there are many questions about the Warwick Gas Pipeline. (ABC Southern Qld: Elly Bradfield)
State government funding is also planned to cover a number of pump upgrades and more water treatment plants to add to the existing system.
Toowoombe Regional Council Water and Waste Committee Chair Rebecca Vonhoff said the state government needed to provide more information quickly.
“The devil will really be in the details of this, I can’t stress it enough,” he said.
The words “water safety” sound really great, but we need to understand what your idea of water security is and is your idea of water security in Southern Downs the same idea as security. of water in the Toowoomba region?
“I will not go ahead with our vote, but the council needs a lot of answers.”
Ms Palaszczuk said that if Toowoomba did not want the pipeline, “I would find another tip to do it”.
“I’m sure the community wants to have water security,” he said.
“It’s the biggest problem they’ve been raising with me and I’m delivering it.”
“Changing the problem”
The proposed pipeline will run from Toowoomba to Warwick. (Provided by the Government of Queensland)
Central Downs Irrigators director Lindsay Krieg said she was pleased to see a different approach to water security.
“As an irrigator, it’s good to see them chasing other forms of water, instead of getting us out of the water like they’ve done in the past,” Krieg said.
“We’ve had a history around this area of having drawn water essentially on how the management of Leslie Dam has changed over the years.
“So it’s good to see that this time we weren’t the target.”
Krieg said he was also surprised by the government’s announcement, saying the supply was already struggling to meet Toowoomba’s water needs, let alone Warwick’s.
“Basically we’re just changing the problem from what I see,” he said.
“Basically we (Central Downs Irrigators) are involved in the regional water supply strategy.”
He said it seemed counterintuitive to make a funding announcement or start a pipeline when there was already another job in the background as a whole strategy.
With dams and catchments in the region full, Krieg was not worried about the gas pipeline’s completion date in 2026.
“I guess the only risk is that if the council runs out of water, more water will come after us,” he said.
“But the most important thing right now is that the catchment is very wet.
“The dam is full for the first time in 10 years at Leslie Dam, so we have the safe allocation for at least the next two or three years.”
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Posted 7 hours 7 hours agoDmec. June 15, 2022 at 6:10 AM, updated 5 hours ago 5 hours agoWednesday, June 15, 2022 at 7:59 AM