Council gives its support for Toowoomba and Warwick pipeline

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has given its support to the State Government's proposed Toowoomba and Warwick Pipeline project, subject to conditions.

While acknowledging the need for Southern Downs to have water security, TRC Mayor Paul Antonio said Council's main priority was to the residents of the Toowoomba Region.

"While the dams are full at the moment, it wasn't that long ago Warwick's situation was dramatically different so we understand the importance of this project for the future of the Southern Downs," Mayor Antonio said.

"In saying this, our focus has to be for our residents and the long-term water security needs for our community.

"This is why we requested and met with State Government representatives on a number of occasions to express the key objectives we need to be satisfied with, before giving our support to the project.

"Some of these objectives included the relocation and increased capacity of the Wivenhoe Pump Station; enlarging the pipe to connect with our southern towns (Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton) and ensuring our ratepayers won't be subsidising the supply of water to the Southern Downs Regional Council.

"While this idea was originally proposed as a way to help the Southern Downs in times of drought, we have worked hard to make sure any pipeline project benefits their Region, as well as the Toowoomba Region."

In addition to this, Mayor Antonio said it was crucial for the project not to have any adverse effect on Toowoomba's water security, including that existing Council infrastructure has sufficient capacity to deliver the required demand/flow.

"While there are positive opportunities for us from this proposed pipeline, such as connecting our southern towns to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply, there will likely be supplementary investment required from Toowoomba Regional Council, to future enhance our water network.

"We want to help out our Southern Downs neighbours and the proposed operating model for the pipeline will ensure there is no adverse impact on our water security.

"This is why we will ensure we have the power to supply water to Southern Downs Regional Council only when we have sufficient capacity within our network. We also require water restrictions to be consistent between the two Council areas.

"There has been a considerable amount of work which has taken place to get us to this point and cooperation between the State Government, Southern Downs Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council. I would like to thank all parties involved, in particular the officers who have toiled away to get the best outcomes possible for our communities."

At the Special Meeting of Council on 16 November, Council voted in favour of the following recommendation.

1. That the State Government and Southern Downs Regional Council be advised that Toowoomba Regional Council's support for and participation in the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline Project is contingent on formal agreements, acceptable to Toowoomba Regional Council, being entered into with the relevant parties to achieve all of the following:

2. i. Augmentation and relocation of the Wivenhoe Pump Station;

   ii. An optimised Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline (Option 3), including a larger pipeline around Toowoomba to facilitate a Southern Water Treatment Plant near Westbrook; and

   iii. A Greenmount Water Treatment Plant connected to the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline with future treated water pipelines to also supply Cambooya, Nobby and Clifton in lieu of four (4) individual Water Treatment Plants.

   iv. Toowoomba Regional Council to only supply water to Southern Downs Regional Council at times that Toowoomba Regional Council has sufficient capacity within its network (i.e. there is no need to bring forward the procurement of any water related infrastructure);

   v. The project must not adversely impact or worsen Toowoomba Regional Council's water security position;

   vi. There must be no adverse financial impacts on Toowoomba Regional Council as a result of the project;

   vii. Commercially acceptable funding arrangements, capital cost recovery, access charges and contractual arrangements are to be negotiated and agreed between the State Government, Seqwater, Southern Downs Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council;

   viii. The allocation of water loss risk and associated costs for relevant sections of the pipeline are to be negotiated and agreed between Seqwater, Southern Downs Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council on the basis of:

   - Which party the water is being transported for; and

   - Which party is responsible for maintaining the pipeline

   ix. The Pipeline alignment, construction and road corridor impacts including reinstatement requirements, be agreed between all parties through the development and finalisation of Interface Deed/s at least three (3) months prior to any construction works commencing; and

   x. The State Government to remain responsible for the access and regulatory aspects of the Project.

3. That each formal agreement that Toowoomba Regional Council is required to enter into, in accordance with 1. above, be considered for approval by resolution of Council.
4. That Council seeks dollar matching financial support from the State Government relating to the provision of a contribution towards funding for its Smart Water Meter Program, to assist in building a more resilient and efficient water network.
5. That the State Government and Southern Downs Regional Council be advised accordingly.