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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Regional Water Supply Strategies |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jul 24 2006 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
PRE-HEARING GOVERNMENT QUESTION ON NOTICE
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE G 2006 No. 8 - asked on Monday, 3 July 2006
MR LAWLOR ASKED THE MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES,
MINES AND WATER (MR PALASZCZUK)-
QUESTION:
With reference to page 8 of the Ministerial Portfolio Statement, I ask the Minister what progress is being made on the Regional Water Supply Strategies for south-east Queensland, central Queensland and other parts of the State?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government undertakes state-wide planning at strategic, regional and project levels to identify water requirements for urban, industrial and rural purposes and to determine how to meet those requirements.
Additionally, regional water supply strategies complement catchment-based water resource plans and identify specific infrastructure to deliver future water supplies. Coordinated planning provides the best outcomes for each region.
Regional water supply strategies are currently being developed for south east, central and far north Queensland. Studies are also planned for the Mackay- Whitsunday and Wide Bay Burnett regions.
South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy
The South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy is a project to determine short, medium and long-term options for water supply in response to burgeoning population growth, drought and climate change in south east Queensland.The Strategy is being progressed by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Council of Mayors-South East Queensland and other water service providers.
The Stage 1 Report for the Strategy was completed in 2004 that aimed to ensure local governments could meet water supply needs to 2020 as well as identify regional infrastructure needs in the medium to longer-term. Stage 2 of the Strategy is under way and due for completion at the end of 2006.
An interim report on Stage 2 was released in January 2006 to address shortterm drought strategies as well as to identify medium and long-term water security issues. Development of the Strategy is overseen by a Steering Committee including State Government and local government agency representation. Work is progressed by six Task Groups, each of which deal with one of the following components of the Strategy:
• Water Availability and Entitlements;
• Integrated Urban Water Management and Accounting;
• Bulk Supply Infrastructure;
• Rural Water;
• Implementation, Information Systems, Communication and Coordination; and
• Water Balance Solutions.
A range of consultancies is being managed by the Task Groups to provide quantitative and qualitative data on various demand and supply options. The recently-formed Queensland Water Commission will have the responsibility of finalising and implementing the Strategy. This is to ensure that water supplies in south east Queensland are planned and operated appropriately and have a whole-of-region focus.
Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy
The Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy was established in response to severe drought conditions in central Queensland and the need to develop a strategic water supply plan for the region.The main purpose of the Strategy is to identify the most effective long-term measures needed for meeting the urban, industrial, mining and agricultural water needs of the region.
The Strategy,which was prepared through a partnership between the community, industry and Government interests,was released as a draft in December 2005, and is expected to be finalised and released at the end of August 2006. Once finalised, the Strategy will be utilised by Queensland Government agencies and local governments as a guide to the water supply planning for the region. As a result of the development of the Strategy, a number of infrastructure options will now be progressed.
SunWater is currently constructing a pipeline from the Burdekin River to Moranbah. This pipeline is expected to meet the short to medium-term needs for coal mining in the Northern Bowen Basin. The medium to long-term needs of the Isaac Connors area can be met by a proposed dam on the Connors River at Mt Bridget. Given the lead time required to progress the dam, assessments required for future approvals for the dam are proposed to be undertaken immediately.
The raising of Eden Bann Weir and construction of Rookwood Weir by the end of 2011 will meet the short to medium-term needs of the Rockhampton, Gladstone and Capricorn Coast areas. Further investigations will be undertaken immediately to firm these proposals and provide data for subsequent full environmental impact assessments. Pipelines are proposed linking Gladstone and the Capricorn Coast with the Lower Fitzroy.
Wide Bay Burnett Regional Water Supply Strategy
Detailed work on the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Water Supply Strategy will begin in 2007.Initial briefings on the proposed Strategy have been provided to the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils and to individual local governments in the Mary Basin. Further briefings with local authorities in the Burnett Basin will occur early in the 2006-2007 financial year and initial data collection will commence.
Far North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy
The Far North Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy commenced planning activities in 2005. Study Consultants ARUP were successful tenderers to the project and commenced duties in November of 2005.
The initiation phase of the project is complete,with consultation and technical phases covering the Cairns area, the Atherton Tablelands and adjacent shires well advanced. A draft Report is due for completion by the end of 2006. Further consultation is planned following the release of the draft report. A final Report is due for completion by early 2007.
Mackay-Whitsunday Regional Water Supply Strategy
In 2006/2007 the Department will commence work on the development of a regional water supply strategy for the Mackay-Whitsunday area.
The recent period of drought in the Mackay-Whitsunday region demonstrates the impact of severe weather conditions on the yield/reliability of existing water supplies, and highlights the need to resolve a range of urban, agricultural and industrial water supply issues. However, water supply requirements in the Pioneer and Proserpine catchments cannot be addressed in isolation to other water demands/aspirations in the region and the need for a wider, whole-of-region study is therefore recognised. Preliminary data capture for the study will commence in July with the official announcement of the study anticipated in February 2007. A draft is anticipated to be produced by the end of 2007.The study is expected to be completed and approved by mid 2008. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 11:51 AM
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