Sunshine Coast facing new water restrictions
Fri 14 November 2008
Sophie Bennett, Journalism
Tougher water restrictions and a new pipeline from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane are among government plans to secure drought-ridden South-East Queensland’s water future.
Northern Pipeline Interconnector (NPI)
The NPI will connect Traveston Crossing Dam with other sources that supply the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Brisbane.
The pipeline will carry water from the Landers Shute Water Treatment Plant on the Sunshine Coast to the Morayfield reservoirs.
The Southern Regional Water Pipeline Alliance reported in 2008 that the NPI is a critical piece of the Queensland Governments emergency strategy, and that it will play an important role in the South-East Queensland water grid.
It also reported in 2007 that the NPI will build water security for many residents in South-East Queensland, including the 276, 000 people living on the Sunshine Coast.
The report said the pipeline will cost $A9 billion, and is due to be completed by the end of December 2008.
The completed pipeline will be about 100km long and is projected to deliver 65 mega litres per day.
Rosemount Anti-Pipeline Action Group president Peter Venning received a notice several months ago warning of the easement location.
“We got a notification in the mail warning us of the new pipeline, but they wouldn’t tell us exactly where the easement would be going,” Mr Venning said.
Mr Venning faced the possibility of a 40m wide easement through his property.
The action group were successful in lobbying the government against putting the easement through Rosemount Road at Nambour.
“We just didn’t want it coming through our backyard,” Mr Venning said.
“So me and some others in the street started this action group and fought it. “Lucky for us we won.
“We are really overjoyed that our properties will be spared, as we were really concerned that we wouldn’t be successful.
“The corridor will now run along the existing Energex easement.
“Obviously I’m not happy about Brisbane taking our water, I don’t think any one is, but I’m just happy that it won’t be in my backyard.”
The action group was representing 42 homeowners along Nambour’s Rosemount Road who received notification letters from the government.
Landsborough resident Mitchell Bentley, owner of one of the 250 properties that lie along the pipeline corridor, says he was pleased with the government’s conclusion.
“I think they’ve made the right decision,” Mr Bentley said.
“The new pipeline will help to secure South East Queensland’s water future.
“We have to help each other out in times like this, Brisbane needs our help.”
Mr Bentley has no plans to fight the government, but is concerned the pipeline will not have two-way pumping.
“The pipeline obviously has to go somewhere so there is no point in trying to fight it,” Mr Bentley said.
“My only concern is whether or not they will return the favour.
“We need to know whether we will get the water back if we needed it, because at the moment the pipeline is only a one-way pump.”
The Queensland Water Commission reported in 2008 that they will be working with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to ensure the Coast’s water security, and noted that council Mayor Bob Abbot requested an agreement on the Sunshine Coast’s water security.
“The operation of the $9 billion Water Grid by the Water Grid Manager will provide an unprecedented ability to plan for Sunshine Coast’s future water needs, and to implement drought response infrastructure as required if the coast faces severe water shortages,” the Queensland Water Commission website said.
“The Queensland Water Commission will be happy to work with council to clearly document these arrangements.”
Water restrictions
Sunshine Coast residents will also move to tougher water restrictions early next year, despite the region’s dams being near capacity.
The coast is currently on minimum water restrictions with ample water, but will be placed on medium level water restrictions by the end of March 2009.
The Queensland Water Commission reported that the Sunshine Coast would initially move to medium level restrictions and “Target 200”.
“Target 200” restricts Coast residents to 200 litres of water per person, per day.
The report said it is necessary for the whole of South-East Queensland to move to common restrictions now that the interconnection is being finalised, and that under medium level restrictions no watering of lawns is permitted.
Residents can use a single hand-held hose in half-hour blocks between 4pm and 4.30pm on Saturdays and Tuesdays for odd numbered houses, and Sundays and Wednesdays for even numbered houses.Image(s) designed by Sophie Bennet