GLADSTONE – FITZROY PIPELINE PROJECT

project update September 2009

Gladstone’s Awoonga Dam PIPELINE PREPARATION CONTINUES Environmental Impact Statement It is expected that the Minister for the The CHMP will contain directions and Environment, Heritage and the Arts will processes to ensure Aboriginal cultural GAWB released the Gladstone-Fitzroy make a decision regarding the project’s heritage is protected and preserved during Pipeline’s Environmental Impact Statement EIS later this year. the pipeline’s construction. (EIS) to the community in late 2008 for public comment. During the 30-day public As part of forming this agreement, an Land acquisition comment period a total of 27 submissions Aboriginal cultural heritage survey will were received. GAWB is preparing to acquire land and be conducted in the coming months. This easements that are critical to the project involves project and Indigenous group Submitters made comments on a variety and is in negotiations with a number representatives walking the pipeline route of topics including potential impact on of individual landowners. GAWB will to identify any items of Aboriginal cultural existing infrastructure, traffic management require land at Alton Downs for the water heritage significance. Appropriate weed during construction, vegetation clearing treatment plant and in the Raglan area for management practices would be employed and the potential impact on private land. a pump station and reservoir. at this time to protect private property To address these submissions, GAWB GAWB also requires an easement for the during the survey. prepared a Supplementary Report to pipeline that runs from the Fitzroy River Landowners will be contacted prior to the the EIS, which formally addresses and to a point at Fairy Bower where it will survey commencing to gain permission responds to the issues raised. join the State Government’s Stanwell to for the team to access their property for All submitters were sent a copy Gladstone Infrastructure Corridor State this purpose. of the supplementary report and the Development Area. document can be viewed at www.gladstone-fitzroypipeline.com.au. GAWB is committed to working with landowners to address their individual The EIS and its Supplementary Report concerns regarding these land have since been provided to the requirements. Coordinator-General for his consideration while preparing his Cultural Heritage evaluation report for the project’s EIS. Management Plan Once this assessment is complete, the GAWB has met with representatives from Coordinator-General’s report will be the Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) and sent to the Australian Government’s Darumbal Indigenous groups and is in the Department of Environment, Water, process of negotiating a Cultural Heritage Heritage and the Arts for consideration Management Plan (CHMP) for the project. as part of the Department’s final The Fitzroy River at Laurel Bank assessment of the project.

Gladstone – Fitzroy Pipeline Project update The Eden Bann Weir is located approximately 80 km upstream Eden Bann Weir from the Fitzroy River barrage. It was constructed in 1994 and stores around 20,000 ML of water. The weir is owned and operated by SunWater.

ROCKHAMPTON

Once constructed, the 115 km Gladstone-Fitzroy Pipeline will deliver Rookwood Crossing up to 30,000 ML of water each year from the Fitzroy River to GAWB’s raw water network. Rookwood Crossing is located upstream from the Eden Bann Weir and is the potential location for a new weir.

GLADSTONE

Fitzroy River weir investigations As outlined in previous project update The Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure and completion of a business case and an newsletters, the Project has now commenced and will Environmental Impact Assessment. Regional Water Supply Strategy (CQRWSS) investigate the options for additional water For more information about the recommends that GAWB receive an allocation storage proposed in the CQRWSS, which Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project, of 30,000 ML of water from the Fitzroy River include raising the Eden Bann Weir and phone 1800 423 213 or email each year. This water would be transported constructing a new weir near Rookwood [email protected]. via the Gladstone-Fitzroy Pipeline to GAWB’s Crossing (see above map for locations). raw water network in Gladstone. To make this GAWB and SunWater are working together allocation of water available to GAWB, it was to undertake the project. It will include identified that additional in-stream storage in assessment of the options and their timing Fitzroy River is required.

Pipeline project timing Dam level update Whilst GAWB is moving ahead with GAWB will continue to monitor rainfall and Lake Awoonga’s storage capacity planning for the project, there is currently no dam inflows and will work closely with its is currently just over 50 percent, construction start date for the pipeline, as customers to monitor their future plans down almost nine percent from its neither a drought (based on low dam levels) and water needs to ensure it can meet the most recent peak which occurred or demand (based on increased customer projected demand for water. after drought-breaking rain in water needs) trigger has been activated. February 2009. For more information about the pipeline’s GAWB is working to design the pipeline, construction triggers view GAWB’s At this peak, GAWB was able to lift gain the appropriate approvals and secure Drought Management Plan which is the Low Supply Alert that had been the land required so that when a trigger is available online at in place since July 2007 when activated, the pipeline can be constructed www.gawb.qld.gov.au. dam storage capacity dropped to within a two-year timeframe to ensure around 33 percent. water is available when it is needed. Contact For more information about the Gladstone-Fitzroy Pipeline project:

Web: www.gladstone-fitzroypipeline.com.au Post: Reply Paid PO Box 110 Gladstone Q 4680 Phone: 1800 771 185 Email: [email protected]

Gladstone – Fitzroy Pipeline Project update