The Palaszczuk Labor Government has officially signed off on funding for the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, supporting more than 400 good jobs in the south west regions.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Cabinet had locked in the final funding amount of more than $370 million today.
"This is fantastic news for the people of Western Queensland, with a pipeline of good, quality jobs just around the corner," the Premier said.
"We know that water security is absolutely vital to these local economies, as well as the liveability of our Queensland communities.
"Planning is already well underway and today's funding announcement signals that major construction can kick off this year."
Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said a lot of hard work has gone into making the final funding decision.
"Even while negotiations have been taking place, pre-construction activities, such as progressing the necessary environmental and native title approvals have been continuing," Minister Butcher said.
"The next stage of early works will include geotechnical works, final route determination, landowner engagement, and final detailed design.
"I want to thank the Toowoomba and Southern Downs Councils for working together with us on this project that will be critical for both regions' future water security."
In addition to the pipeline, the funding also includes upgrades to the Wivenhoe Pump Station to boost existing capacity, construction of new water treatment facilities to service communities along the pipeline route, and installation of network monitoring to reduce losses and improve water security for Southern Downs.
"Toowoomba residents can be assured that this project will not impact their existing water supply," Minister Butcher said.
The pipeline will carry raw water from Wivenhoe Dam and connect with Toowoomba Regional Council's existing water infrastructure to deliver water to Warwick and will be an opportunity to deliver treated water to the Toowoomba region communities of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton.
Importantly the pipeline provides drought contingency for residents of Southern Downs Regional Council.
Seqwater has delivered detailed designs for the pipeline and is continuing to work with stakeholders in preparing to move into the pre-construction phase of the pipeline, with scheduled construction completion and commissioning now expected by early 2027," Mr Butcher said.
The Palaszczuk Government previously announced the $19.34 million Southern Downs Drought Resilience Package which was designed to help increase local water availability and improve Southern Down's drought resilience.
The package includes measures such as the installation of new pumps at Leslie Dam which allows for accessing previously 'dead water' (water below the level that existing pumps could access) as well as investigative works into the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline, commissioning of groundwater bores, and upgrades to water treatment systems.
