In December 2006, the Queensland Government released the Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy (CQRWSS), outlining a range of strategies to help meet the region’s future water supply needs.
The proposed Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project was identified within the strategy as the preferred medium to long-term water supply solution to meet future water demands in the Bowen Basin region. Water from the proposed dam will supply primarily the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas as well as potentially supplying communities within close proximity to the proposed pipeline route.
The proposed dam is located on the Connors River, near Mount Bridget, approximately 110 kilometres due east of Moranbah and 70km south of Sarina.
Several storage capacities were investigated through the Environmental Impact Statement development process, with an ultimate storage size of 373,662 ML being proposed for approval.
A pipeline from the dam – around 133kms long – will deliver water to a smaller holding storage, near Moranbah, where it will then be distributed to customers. The proposed pipeline route, as well as infrastructure associated with the pipeline (pump stations, buffer storages, etc) has been presented in considerable detail in the Environmental Impact Statement for the project (see below). The alignment proposed indicates SunWater’s preferred pipeline alignment, as well as a number of potential alternate pipeline alignments in some sections. These alternate alignments will be resolved with future engineering analysis and stakeholder negotiations.
Proposed Pipeline Route
Enlarge Map (PDF format 405KB)
Environmental Impact Assessment
On 7 March 2008, the Queensland Government’s Coordinator-General declared the Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project a ‘significant project for which an environmental impact statement is required’ under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971. The Commonwealth Minister for the Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts has declared the project a 'controlled action' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
These declarations triggered the requirement for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to report the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. An EIA process explores the potential positive and adverse environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts likely to be associated with a project.
Terms of Reference for an EIS
The Terms of Reference (ToR) developed for an EIS work like a table of contents and help the Coordinator-General, SunWater and other project stakeholders appropriately scope the investigations, assessments and recommendations forming the EIS document. The draft ToR for the Connors River Dam and Pipelines EIS were made public by the Coordinator-General and comment sought over the period 31 January to 9 March 2009, with 22 submissions received. All matters raised in the submissions were considered by the Coordinator-General and, where appropriate, were incorporated into the finalised Terms of Reference for an EIS: Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project.
Environmental Impact Statement
Since 2007, SunWater has undertaken extensive environmental assessment for the Connors River Dam and Pipelines EIS. provides information on:
- The existing social, economic, built and natural environment;
- A detailed description of the proposed project and objectives;
- Potential impact of the project on the social, economic, built and natural environment.
- The requirement for, and the scope of, environmental management plans (for construction and operation of the project) to mitigate potential adverse impacts; and
- Measures/plans proposed to mitigate potential adverse impacts.
The Coordinator-General has reviewed a draft of the Connors River Dam and Pipelines EIS, allowing it to be released for public review and comment for the period 6 February to 22 March 2010.
The Connors River Dam and Pipelines EIS can be viewed here.
Hard copies of the EIS have been made available for review by members of the public at the following locations over the release period:
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EIS display locations |
|
MACKAY |
Mackay City Library
Civic Centre
Gordon Street, Mackay |
|
NEBO |
Nebo Library
10 Reynolds Street, Nebo
|
| MORANBAH |
Moranbah Town Library
Grosvenor Complex
Batchelor Parade, Town Square, Moranbah |
|
BRISBANE |
State Library of Queensland
Cultural Centre
Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
|
A CD-ROM containing the EIS is available free of charge or a hard copy may be purchased from SunWater. Please contact SunWater on freecall 1800 224 771 for further information.
Following the public release period (6 February to 22 March 2010), the Coordinator-General will review the EIS in detail and consider all properly made submissions received. The Coordinator-General will then make a decision on project approval, make recommendations and/or develop conditions to be attached to the project's approvals.
How to make a submission on the EIS to the Coordinator-General.
Community Consultation Program
SunWater is committed to providing the community in the footprint of the Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project the opportunity to be informed and contribute to the EIA process. To achieve this, a consultation program has been developed and delivered in the local area. The program includes:
- Public information sessions
- Project newsletter
- Project information
- Community Liaison Group
- Access to project members through 1800 phone line and project email address.
Public Information Sessions: As part of SunWater’s commitment to public consultation during our project investigations, a series of information sessions have been held in Moranbah, Nebo and Mackay. These sessions have offered community members an opportunity to find out more about the project and to talk to project team members. At the information sessions, SunWater was also able to gauge public sentiment for the project and gain valuable local knowledge to further inform the project.
SunWater was recently in Moranbah and Nebo to host two public information sessions to allow members of the public the opportunity to speak directly with project experts to discuss the proposed project and the content of the EIS. Additional information was also on hand at these sessions to allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the EIS process and on how to make a written submission on the EIS. Properly made submissions will be considered by the Coordinator-General before the project can be granted approval.
Project Newsletters: Project newsletters are regularly distributed to project stakeholders and to further inform communities in and around the project footprint.
Community Liaison Group: A Community Liaison Group (CLG) was established to further support the EIS phase of the project. The CLG aims to keep local communities and stakeholders well informed about the project and EIS process. The CLG also allows SunWater to address local issues or concerns which are identified and discussed in the meetings.
Membership includes local business, environmental, community, customer and local government representatives as well as other special interest groups.
Four meetings have been held to date. Minutes are publicly available and can be accessed from the below links:
Current project timeline
|
Preliminary works and feasibility investigations |
- Preliminary, scoping and feasibility works undertaken
|
Completed
(Late 2007) |
|
|
Completed
(February 2008) |
- Concept design engineering undertaken
- Preliminary yield and demand assessments undertaken
|
Completed
(December 2008) |
|
Preliminary business case assessment and EIS preparation |
- Preliminary environmental and cultural heritage assessments undertaken
- Geotechnical investigations conducted
- Preliminary design engineering undertaken
- SunWater prepares a preliminary business case to determine the feasibility of the project and secure on-going funding of the project through to final business case stage
- Ongoing consultation and communication with relevant project stakeholders
|
Currently underway
(Mid 2008 to late 2009) |
- SunWater prepares an EIS as part of the formal approvals process
- EIS is released for public comment
|
Currently underway
(Early 2010) |
|
Final business case, EIS approval and dam construction |
- SunWater finalises a detailed business case including preliminary designs, assessed financial and economic benefits and costs of the project, detailed demand assessments, approved cultural heritage and native title management processes and the majority of required regulatory and water resource approvals
- The Coordinator-General reviews the EIS and makes a decision on whether to proceed with the project for Federal Government approval
- If/when approved, construction of the project may commence
|
Future stage
(2010 onwards) |
Further information
For further information regarding the Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project, please contact us on:
Contact details:
Phone: 1800 244 771
Email: connorsriverdam@sunwater.com.au
Post: Connors River Dam and Pipelines Project Manager
Reply Paid 15536
City East QLD 4002
Other links:
Department of Infrastructure and Planning
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