SPECIAL REPORT
THE future of Townsville’s long- term water security lies in a labyrinth of feasibility studies and business cases all due by the end of the year.
Reports concerning a number of major water infrastructure proposals including the Haughton Pipeline, Burdekin Falls Dam wall raising, hydro and the Hells Gates Dam are all expected to be made public in the next three months.
But despite the impending rush of studies, there remain considerable differences of opinion between different political parties and levels of government about the best solution for the city’s longterm water supply.
Civil works have commenced on Stage 1 of the Haughton Pipeline Duplication – one part of a threetiered $ 225- million water security package paid for by the state and administered by the Townsville City Council.
The council’s interim Water and Waste Committee chair Les Walker said the pipeline was “on track” to be completed by the end of 2019.
Cr Walker defended the council’s decision to keep Townsville on modified Level 2 water restrictions while the pipeline was built, despite the Ross River Dam sitting at about 75 per cent capacity.
“We heard ( the community) last time just don’t leave it GOING TO THIS MODIFIED LEVEL 2 GIVES ES US SOME MORE LONGEVITY AND PEOPLE LE HAVE MORE CERTAINTY TY WITH WATER SUPPLY Y FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS. to the 10 and 20 per cent ( dam level) and get us down to Level 4, we want to be able to water our lawns … wash our cars and our boats … and we’ve allowed all that in there,” he said.
“We’ve stretched the life of that water so people can do the same sort of behavioural watering patterns today for longer.
“Going to this modified Level 2 gives us some more WHAT: Proposal to raise the Burdekin Falls Dam by 2m to deliver an extra 150,000 megalitres. The dam was designed to be raised to improve the viability of proposed pump hydro and increase long- term efficiency of directly supplying Townsville’s water. Increasing the dam’s capacity would also relieve pressure from future agricultural and mining demand. FUNDING: State LNP Opposition has committed $ 10 million for environmental study if elected. STATUS: State Government completed a feasibility study in June 2018, which has been handed to the Federal Government. SunWater is also working on a preliminary business case due to be completed this year. longevity and people have more certainty with water supply for the next 18 months.”
Meanwhile the long- awaited full report from the Townsville Water Taskforce, assessing short, medium and long- term water security solutions, is due to be handed down to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Bulletin understands the report is complete, however it has not yet been handed over to governments, despite a September 30 due date.
The taskforce’s interim report, which was published last year, included Stage 2 medium- term recommendations to be completed in the next 15 years with exact timing subject to water demand, water and WHAT: A 50- megawatt hydro- electric power station on the Burdekin Falls Dam. FUNDING: Federal Labor Opposition has committed $ 200 million to the Burdekin hydro scheme if elected. STATUS: Stanwell is progressing a business case, which is due to be completed by the end of 2018. savings growth.
It recommended the Haughton Pipeline duplication be extended to the Burdekin River at Clare and a new dedicated 364- megalitrea- day capacity pump station be constructed at Clare.
Stage 2 of the Haughton project is estimated to cost about $ 200 million.
Queensland Natural population Re- sources, Mines and Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said ensuring water security in North Queensland was a “major priority” for the State Government.
“The Queensland Government completed a feasibility study for raising the Burdekin Falls Dam, which has been with the Federal Government since June,” he said.
“SunWater is also working