: News Article

A Third Twin Cities Water Supply Tabled

22/11/2002

The bulk water supplier to Townsville and Thuringowa is about to table its plans for a third independent water supply to support residential, commercial and industrial growth into the next century.

NQ Water’s CEO will meet with senior bureaucrats from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines on Monday (25/11/02) to discuss strategies to cope with predicted growth in the region.

Chairman Ian Hamilton said the Board’s vision is to build a third, totally independent source of supply from the Burdekin Dam.

"We currently have two supplies from the Mt. Spec System and Ross Dam," Mr Hamilton said. "The existing Haughton pipeline, which brings water from the Burdekin Dam, empties into Ross Dam."

"Our vision is to connect that pipeline to a treatment plant in the Toonpan area south of Townsville, and bring treated water to the cities via the Mount Jack pipeline currently being constructed.

This will provide the city the safety and security of having three totally independent water supply systems.

The recent restructure, which saw NQ Water buy all the region’s bulk water infrastructure, would facilitate the process said Mr Hamilton.

"We can now transfer water to any part of the region from any particular source," he said. "This is significant, especially for Thuringowa."

"Because the Mt Spec system doesn’t have enough supply to meet growth in the northern beaches area, Thuringowa will need more water from the Ross systems and eventually, more water from the new Haughton system.

"DNRM is the state government body that gives the final seal of approval to our long term infrastructure plans. Without them signing off, we do not get access to government subsidies."

Mr Hamilton said the infrastructure would be built over the next 30 years and cost in the vicinity of $100 million.

© 2003 NQ Water